the mirror of kong ho-第22节
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demons concerning my movements； and by a subtle indication of the face
conveying to the stranger an assurance that I had tactfully grasped
the requirement； and would endeavour to walk well upon his heels； 〃and
therefore it would be unseemly for a person of my insignificant
attainments to engage in the doubtful flattery of comparing it with
the many other residences of the pure and exalted which embellish your
Capital。〃
〃Oh；〃 said the one whom I may now suitably describe by the name of Sir
Philip； 〃that's rather a useful proverb sometimes。 Many people there？〃
At this inquiry I could not disguise from myself an emotion that the
person seated opposite was not diplomatically inspired in so
persistently clinging to the one subject upon which he must assuredly
know that I experienced an all…pervading deficiency。 Nevertheless；
being by this more fully convinced that the disguise was one of
critical necessity； and not deeming that the essential ceremonies of
one Palace would differ from those of another； no matter in what land
they stood （while through all I read a clear design on Sir Philip's
part that the opportunity was craftily arranged so that I might
impress upon any vindictively…intentioned spirits within hearing an
assumption of high protection）； I replied that the gathering had been
one of unparalleled splendour； both by reason of the multitude of
exalted nobles present and also owing to the jewelled magnificence
lavished on every detail。 Furthermore； I continued； now definitely
abandoning all the promptings of a wise reserve； and reflecting； as we
say； that one may as well be drowned in the ocean as in a wooden
bucket； not only did the sublime and unapproachable sovereign
graciously permit me to kow…tow respectfully before him； but
subsequently calling me to his side beneath a canopy of golden
radiance； he conversed genially with me and benevolently assured me of
his sympathetic favour on all occasions （this； I conjectured； would
certainly overawe any Evil Force not among the very highest circles）；
while the no less magnanimous Prince of the Imperial Line questioned
me with flattering assiduousness concerning a method of communicating
with persons at a distance by means of blows or stamps upon a post （as
far as the outer meaning conveyed itself to me）； the houses which we
build； and whether they contained an adequate provision of enclosed
spaces in the walls。
Doubtless I could have continued in this praiseworthy spirit of
delicate cordiality to an indefinite amount had I not chanced to
observe at this point that the expression of Sir Philip's urbanity had
become entangled in a variety of other emotions； not all propitious to
the scheme； so that in order to retire imperceptibly within myself I
smiled broad…mindedly； remarking that it was well said that the moon
was only bright while the sun was hid； and that I had lately been
dazzled with the sight of so much brilliance and virtuous
condescension that there were occasions when I questioned inwardly how
much I had really witnessed； and how much had been conveyed to me in
the nature of an introspective vision。
It will already have been made plain to you； O my courtly…mannered
father； that these barbarians are totally deficient in the polite art
whereby two persons may carry on a flattering and highly…attuned
conversation； mutually advantageous to the esteem of each； without it
being necessary in any way that their statements should have more than
an ornamental actuality。 So wanting in this； the most concentrated
form of truly well…bred entertainment； are even their high officials；
that after a few more remarks； to which I made answer in a spirit of
skilfully…sustained elusiveness； the utterly obtuse Sir Philip said at
length； 〃Excuse my asking； Mr。 Kong； but have you really been to the
Alexandra Palace at all？〃
Admittedly there are few occasions in life on which it is not possible
to fail to see the inopportune or low…class by a dignified
impassiveness of features； an adroitly…directed jest； or a remark of
baffling inconsequence； but in the face of so distressingly
straightforward a demand what can be advanced by a person of
susceptible refinement when opposed to one of incomparably larger
dimensions； imprisoned by his side in the recess of a fire…chariot
which is leaping forward with uncurbed velocity； and surrounded by
demons with whose habits and partialities he is unfamiliar？
〃In a manner of expressing the circumstance；〃 I replied； 〃it is not to
be denied that this person's actual footsteps may have imperceptibly
been drawn somewhat aside from the path of his former design。 Yet
inasmuch as it is truly said that the body is in all things
subservient to the mind； and is led withersoever it is willed； and as
your engaging directions were scrupulously observed with undeviating
fidelity； it would be impertinently self…opinionated on this person's
part to imply that they failed to guide him to his destination。 Thus；
for all ceremonial purposes； it is permissible conscientiously to
assume that he HAS been there。〃
〃I am afraid that I must not have been sufficiently clear；〃 said Sir
Philip。 〃Did you miss the train at King's Cross？〃
〃By no means；〃 I replied firmly； pained inwardly that he should cast
the shadow of such narrow incompetence upon me。 〃Seeing this machine
on the point of setting forth on a journey； even as your overwhelming
sagacity had enabled you to predict would be the case； I embarked with
self…reliant confidence。〃
〃Good lord！〃 murmured the person opposite； beginning to manifest an
excess of emotion for which I was quite unable to account。 〃Then you
have been in this trainyour actual footsteps I mean； Mr。 Kong； not
your ceremonial abstract subliminal egoever since？〃
To this I replied that his words shone like the moon at midnight with
scintillating points of truth； adding； however； as the courtesies of
the occasion required； that I had been so impressed with the
many…sided brilliance of his conversation earlier in the day as to
render the flight of time practically unnoticed by me。
〃But did it never occur to you to ask at one of the stations？〃 he
demanded； still continuing to wave his hands incapably from side to
side。 〃Any of the porters would have told you。〃
〃Kong Li Heng； the founder of our line； who was really great； has been
dead eleven centuries； and no single fact or incident connected with
his life has been preserved to influence mankind；〃 I replied。 〃How
much less will it matter； then； even in so limited a space of time as
a hundred years； in what fashion so insignificant a person as the one
before you acted on any occasion； and why； therefore； should he
distress himself unnecessarily to any precise end？〃 In this manner I
sought to place before him the dignified example of an
imperturbability which can be maintained in every emergency； and at
the same time to administer a plain yet scrupulously…sheathed rebuke；
for the inauspicious manner in which he had first drawn me on to speak
confidently of the ceremonies of the Royal Palace and then held up my
inadequacy to undeserved contempt had not rejoiced my imagination； and
I was still uncertain how much to claim； and whether； perchance； even
yet a more subtle craft lay under all。
〃Well； in any case； when you go back you can claim the distinction of
having been taken seven times round London； although you can't really
have seen much of it；〃 said Sir Philip。 〃This is a Circle train。〃
At this assertion I looked up。 Though admittedly curved a little about
the roof the chariot was in every essential degree what we should
pronounce to be a square one； whereupon； feeling at length that the
involvement had definitely passed to a point beyond my contemptible
discernment； I spread out my hands acquiescently and affably remarked
that the days were lengthening out pleasantly。
In such a manner I became acquainted with the one Sir Philip； and
thereby； in a somewhat circuitous line； the original purpose which
possessed my brush when I began this inept and commonplace letter is
reached； for the person in question not only lay upon himself the
obligation of leading me 〃by the strings of his apron…garment〃in the
characteristic and fanciful turn of the barbarian languageto that
same Palace on the following day； but thenceforth gracefully affecting
