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01/19/10(Tue)04:47 No.7662796>>7662766
From a drawer in his roll-top desk he took a few cash, and handing them to her, sent her away.
"You see that I wear a queue," he said, taking it in his hands. "It is a symbol. I am the last representative of the old China."
He talked to me, more gently now, of how philosophers in long past days wandered from state to state with their disciples, teaching all who were worthy to learn. Kings called them to their councils and made them rulers of cities. His erudition was great and his eloquent phrases gave a multi-coloured vitality to the incidents he related to me of the history of his country. I could not help thinking him a somewhat pathetic figure. He felt in himself the great capacity to administer the state, but there was no king to entrust him with office; he had vast stores of learning which he was eager to impart to the great band of students that his soul hankered after, and there came to listen but a few, wretched, half-starved, and obstuse provincials.
Once or twice discretion had made me suggest that I should take my leave, but he had been unwilling to let me go. Now at last I was obliged to. I rose. He held my hand.
"I should like to give you something as a recollection of your visit to the last philosopher in China, but I am a poor man and I do not know what I can give you that would be worthy of your acceptance."
I protested that the recollection of my visit was in itself a priceless gift. He smiled.
"Men have short memories in these degenerate days, and I should like to give you something more substantial. I would give you one of my books, but you cannot read Chinese."
He looked at me with amicable perplexity. I had an inspiration.
"Give me a sample of your calligraphy." I said. |
