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person； who occupied a raised chair； continually partook。 This
discriminating individual spoke so confidently of the beneficial action of
the fluid； and so unswervingly described my own feelings at the moment
as of head giddiness； an inexactitude of speech； and no clear definition of
where the next step would be arrived atas the common lot of all who did
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not consume regularly； that when that same Helena had passed on to speak
to another； I left the hall unobserved and drank successive portions； in
each case； as the night was cold； prudently adding a measure of the native
rice spirit。 His advice had been well…directed； for with the fourth portion I
suddenly found all doubtful and oppressive visions withdrawn； and a new
and exhilarating self…confidence raised in their place。 In this agreeable
temper I returned to the place of meeting to find a priest of one of the
lesser orders relating a circumstance whereby he had encountered a wild
maiden in the woods； who had steadfastly persisted that she was one of a
band of seven （this being the luckiest protective number among the
superstitious）。 Though unable to cause their appearance； she had gone
through a most precise examination at his hands without deviating in the
slightest particular； whereupon distrusting the outcome of the strife； the
person who was relating the adventure had withdrawn breathless。
When this versatile lesser priest had finished the narration； and the
applause； which clearly showed that those present approved of the solitary
maiden's discreet stratagem； had ceased； the one who occupied the central
platform； rising； exclaimed loudly； 〃Mr。 Kong will next favour us with a
contribution； which will consist； I am informed； of a Chinese tale。〃
Now there chanced to be present a certain one who had already
become offensive to me by the systematic dexterity with which he had
planted his inopportune shadow between the sublime…souled Helena and
any other who made a movement to approach her heaven…dowered outline。
When this presumptuous and ill…nurtured outcast； who was； indeed； then
seated by the side of the enchanting maiden last referred to； heard the
announcement he said in a voice feigned to reach her peach…skin ear alone；
yet intentionally so modulated as to penetrate the furthest limit of the room；
〃A Chinese tale！ Why； assuredly； that must be a pig…tail。〃 At this unseemly
shaft many of those present allowed themselves to become immoderately
amused； and even the goat…like sage who had called upon my name
concealed his face behind an open hand； but the amiably…disposed Helena；
after looking at the undiscriminating youth coldly for a moment；
deliberately rose and moved to a vacant spot at a distance。 Encouraged by
this fragrant act of sympathy I replied with a polite bow to indicate the
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position； 〃On the contrary； the story which it is now my presumptuous
intention to relate will contain no reference whatever to the carefully…got…
up one occupying two empty seats in the front row；〃 and without further
introduction began the history of Kao and his three brothers； to which I
had added the title； 〃The Three Gifts。〃
At the conclusion of this classical example of the snares ever lying
around the footsteps of the impious； I perceived that the jocular stripling；
whom I had so delicately reproved； was no longer present。 Doubtless he
had been unable to remain in the same room with the commanding
Helena's high…spirited indignation； and anticipating that in consequence
there would now be no obstacle to her full…faced benignity； I drew near
with an appropriate smile。
It is somewhere officially recorded； 〃There is only one man who knew
with accurate certainty what a maiden's next attitude would be； and he
died young of surprise。〃 As I approached I had the sensation of passing
into so severe an atmosphere of rigid disfavour； that the ingratiating lines
upon my face became frozen in its intensity； despite the ineptness of their
expression。 Unable to penetrate the cause of my offence； I made a variety
of agreeable remarks； until finding that nothing tended towards a
becoming reconciliation； I gradually withdrew in despair； and again turned
my face in the direction of that same accommodation which I had already
found beneath the sign of an Encompassed Goat。 Here； by the sarcasm of
destiny； I encountered the person who had drawn the slighting analogy
between this one's pig…tail and his ability as a story…teller。 For a brief space
of time the ultimate development of the venture was doubtfully poised； but
recognising in each other's features the overhanging cloud of an allied
pang； the one before me expressed a becoming contrition for the jest；
together with a proffered cup。 Not to appear out…classed I replied in a
suitable vein； involving the supply of more vessels； whereupon there
succeeded many more vessels； called for both singly and in harmonious
unison； and the reappearance of numerous bright images； accompanied by
a universal scintillation of meteor…like iridescence。 In this genial and
greatly…enlarged spirit we returned affably together to the hall； and entered
unperceived at the moment when the one who made the announcements
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was crying aloud； 〃According to the programme the next item should have
been a Chinese poem； but as Mr。 Kong Ho appears to have left the
building； we shall pass him over〃
〃What Ho？〃 exclaimed the somewhat impetuous one by my side；
stepping forward indignantly and mounting the platform in his affectionate
zeal。 〃No one shall pass over my old and valued friendthis Howhile I
have a paw to raise。 Step forward； Mandarin； and let them behold the
inventor and sole user of the justly far…famed G。 R。 Ko…Ho hair restorer
sent in five guin