"It will be the plain duty of this expert and uncorruptible person to
furnish the unnecessary, but, nevertheless, very severe and self-
opinionated Chang-ch'un with a written account of how the traitorous
and deceptive Ling has endeavoured to break through the thirty-fourth
vessel of the liquids to be consumed and not to be consumed,"
continued Wang with increased deliberation and an entire absence of
attention to Ling's action and speech, "and how by this refined
person's unfailing civility and resourceful strategy he has been
frustrated."
"Perchance," said Ling, after examining his thoughts for a short
space, and reflecting that the list of things to be done and not to be
done was to him as a blank leaf, "there may even be some small portion
of that which is accurate in his statement. In what manner," he
continued, addressing the really unendurable person, who was by this
time preparing to pass the night in the cool swamp by the river's
edge, "does this one endanger any detail of the written and sealed
parchment by such an action?"
"Inasmuch," replied Wang, pausing in the process of removing his outer
garments, "as the seventy-ninth--the intricate name given to it
escapes this person's tongue at the moment--but the ninety-seventh--
experLingknowswhamean--provides that any person, with or without,
attempting or not avoiding to travel by sea, lake, or river, or to
place himself in such a position as he may reasonably and
intelligently be drowned in salt water, fresh water, or--or honourable
rice spirit, shall be guilty of, and suffer--complete loss of memory.
Pages:
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141