"Sittingintheswale；andlisteningtotheswindleoftheflail，asitsoundsdub—a—dubonthecorn，fromtheneighbouringbarn。"
　　InrequitalforwhichItreatedthemwithasong，notofRomanvile，butthesongof"SivoryandthehorseGrayman。"I
　　remainedwiththemtillitwasdark，having，aftersunset，enteredintodeepdiscoursewithacelebratedratcatcher，whocommunicatedtomethesecretsofhistrade，saying，amongstotherthings，"Whenyouseetheratspouringoutoftheirholes，andrunningupmyhandsandarms，it’snotaftermetheycomes，butaftertheoilsIcarriesaboutmetheycomes；"andwhosubsequentlyspokeinthemostenthusiasticmannerofhistrade，sayingthatitwasthebesttradeintheworld，andmostdiverting，andthatitwaslikelytolastforever；forwhereasallotherkindsofverminwerefastdisappearingfromEngland，ratswereeverydaybecomingmoreabundant。Ihadquittedthisgoodcompany，andhavingmountedmyhorse，wasmakingmywaytowardsatownataboutsixmiles’distance，ataswingingtrot，mythoughtsdeeplyengagedonwhatIhadgatheredfromtheratcatcher，whenallonasuddenalightglareduponthehorse’sface，whopurledroundingreatterror，andflungmeoutofthesaddle，asfromasling，orwithasmuchviolenceasthehorseGrayman，intheballad，flingsSivordtheSnareswayne。Ifellupontheground—feltakindofcrashingaboutmyneck—andforthwithbecamesenseless。
　　CHAPTERXXXI
　　ANovelSituation—TheElderlyIndividual—TheSurgeon—A
　　KindOffer—ChimericalIdeas—StrangeDream。
　　HOWlongIremainedsenselessIcannotsay，foraconsiderabletime，Ibelieve；atlength，openingmyeyes，I
　　foundmyselflyingonabedinamiddle—sizedchamber，lightedbyacandle，whichstoodonatable—anelderlymanstoodnearme，andayetmoreelderlyfemalewasholdingaphialofverypungentsaltstomyolfactoryorgan。I
　　attemptedtomove，butfeltverystiff—myrightarmappearednearlyparalysed，andtherewasastrangedullsensationinmyhead。"Youhadbetterremainstill，youngman，"saidtheelderlyindividual，"thesurgeonwillbeherepresently；Ihavesentamessageforhimtotheneighbouringvillage。""WhereamI？"saidI，"andwhathashappened？"
　　"Youareinmyhouse，"saidtheoldman，"andyouhavebeenflungfromahorse。IamsorrytosaythatIwasthecause。
　　AsIwasdrivinghome，thelightsinmygigfrightenedtheanimal。""Whereisthehorse？"saidI。"Below，inmystable，"saidtheelderlyindividual。"Isawyoufall，butknowingthatonaccountofmyageIcouldbeoflittleusetoyou，Iinstantlyhurriedhome，theaccidentdidnotoccurmorethanafurlongoff，andprocuringtheassistanceofmylad，andtwoorthreeneighbouringcottagers，Ireturnedtothespotwhereyouwerelyingsenseless。Weraisedyouup，andbroughtyouhere。Myladthenwentinquestofthehorse，whohadrunawayaswedrewnigh。Whenwesawhimfirsthewasstandingnearyou；hecaughthimwithsomedifficulty，andbroughthimhome。Whatareyouabout？"saidtheoldman，asIstrovetogetoffthebed。"Iwanttoseethehorse，"saidI。"Ientreatyoutobestill，"saidtheoldman；"thehorseissafe，Iassureyou。""Iamthinkingabouthisknees，"saidI。"Insteadofthinkingaboutyourhorse’sknees，"saidtheoldman，"bethankfulthatyouhavenotbrokeyourownneck。""Youdonottalkwisely，"saidI；
　　"whenaman’sneckisbroke，heisprovidedfor；butwhenhishorse’skneesarebroke，heisalostjockey，thatis，ifhehasnothingbuthishorsetodependupon。AprettyfigureI
　　shouldcutatHorncastle，mountedonahorseblood—rawattheknees。""Oh，youaregoingtoHorncastle，"saidtheoldman，seriously，"thenIcansympathizewithyouinyouranxietyaboutyourhorse，beingaLincolnshireman，andthesonofonewhobredhorses。Iwillmyselfgodownintothestable，andexamineintotheconditionofyourhorse，soprayremainquiettillIreturn；itwouldcertainlybeaterriblethingtoappearatHorncastleonabroken—kneedhorse。"
　　Helefttheroomandreturnedinabouttenminutes，followedbyanotherperson。"Yourhorseissafe，"saidhe，"andhiskneesareunblemished；notahairruffled。Heisafineanimal，andwilldocredittoHorncastle；buthereisthesurgeoncometoexamineintoyourowncondition。"Thesurgeonwasamanaboutthirty—five，thin，andrathertall；
　　hisfacewaslongandpale，andhishair，whichwaslight，wascarefullycombedbackasmuchaspossiblefromhisforehead。Hewasdressedveryneatly，andspokeinaveryprecisetone。"Allowmetofeelyourpulse，friend？"saidhe，takingmebytherightwrist。Iutteredacry，foratthemotionwhichhecausedathrillofagonydartedthroughmyarm。"Ihopeyourarmisnotbroke，myfriend，"saidthesurgeon，"allowmetosee；firstofall，wemustdivestyouofthiscumbrousfrock。"
　　Thefrockwasremovedwithsomedifficulty，andthentheuppervestmentsofmyframe，withmoredifficultystill。Thesurgeonfeltmyarm，movingitupanddown，causingmeunspeakablepain。"Thereisnofracture，"saidhe，atlast，"butacontusion—aviolentcontusion。IamtoldyouweregoingtoHorncastle；Iamafraidyouwillbehardlyabletorideyourhorsethitherintimetodisposeofhim；however，weshallsee—yourarmmustbebandaged，friend；afterwhichIshallbleedyou，andadministeracomposingdraught。"
　　Tobeshort，thesurgeondidasheproposed，andwhenhehadadministeredthecomposingdraught，hesaid，"Beofgoodcheer；IshouldnotbesurprisedifyouareyetintimeforHorncastle。"Hethendepartedwiththemasterofthehouse，andthewoman，leavingmetomyrepose。Isoonbegantofeeldrowsy，andwasjustcomposingmyselftoslumber，lyingonmyback，asthesurgeonhadadvisedme，whenIheardstepsascendingthestairs，andinamomentmorethesurgeonenteredagain，followedbythemasterofthehouse。"IhopeIdon’tdisturbyou，"saidtheformer；"myreasonforreturningistorelieveyourmindfromanyanxietywithrespecttoyourhorse。Iambynomeanssurethatyouwillbeable，owingtoyouraccident，toreachHorncastleintime：
　　toquietyou，however，Iwillbuyyourhorseforanyreasonablesum。Ihavebeendowntothestable，andapproveofhisfigure。Whatdoyouaskforhim？""Thisisastrangetimeofnight，"saidI，"tocometomeaboutpurchasingmyhorse，andIamhardlyinafittingsituationtobeappliedtoaboutsuchamatter。Whatdoyouwanthimfor？""Formyownuse，"saidthesurgeon；"Iamaprofessionalman，andamobligedtobecontinuallydrivingabout；Icoveratleastonehundredandfiftymileseveryweek。""Hewillneveransweryourpurpose，"saidI，"heisnotadrivinghorse，andwasneverbetweenshaftsinhislife；heisforriding，moreespeciallyfortrotting，atwhichhehasfewequals。""Itmattersnottomewhetherheisforridingordriving，"saidthesurgeon，"sometimesIride，sometimesdrive；so，ifwecancometoterms，Iwillbuyhim，thoughrememberitischieflytoremoveanyanxietyfromyourmindabouthim。"
　　"Thisisnotimeforbargaining，"saidI，"ifyouwishtohavethehorseforahundredguineas，youmay；ifnot—""A
　　hundredguineas！"saidthesurgeon，"mygoodfriend，youmustsurelybelight—headed；allowmetofeelyourpulse，"andheattemptedtofeelmyleftwrist。"Iamnotlight—headed，"
　　saidI，"andIrequirenoonetofeelmypulse；butIshouldbelight—headedifIweretosellmyhorseforlessthanI
　　havedemanded；butIhaveacuriositytoknowwhatyouwouldbewillingtooffer。""Thirtypounds，"saidthesurgeon，"isallIcanaffordtogive；andthatisagreatdealforacountrysurgeontoofferforahorse。""Thirtypounds！"saidI，"why，hecostmenearlydoublethatsum。Totellyouthetruth，Iamafraidthatyouwanttotakeadvantageofmysituation。""Notintheleast，friend，"saidthesurgeon，"notintheleast；Ionlywishedtosetyourmindatrestaboutyourhorse；butasyouthinkheisworthmorethanI
　　canaffordtooffer，takehimtoHorncastlebyallmeans；I
　　willdomybesttocureyouintime。Goodnight，Iwillseeyouagainonthemorrow。"Thereuponheoncemoredepartedwiththemasterofthehouse。"Asharpone，"Iheardhimsay，withalaugh，asthedoorcloseduponhim。
　　Lefttomyself，Iagainessayedtocomposemyselftorest，butforsometimeinvain。Ihadbeenterriblyshakenbymyfall，andhadsubsequently，owingtotheincisionofthesurgeon’slancet，beendeprivedofmuchofthevitalfluid；
　　itiswhenthebodyisinsuchastatethatthemeresttriflesaffectandagitatethemind；nowonder，then，thatthereturnofthesurgeonandthemasterofthehouseforthepurposeofinquiringwhetherIwouldsellmyhorse，struckmeasbeinghighlyextraordinary，consideringthehourofthenight，andthesituationinwhichtheyknewmetobe。Whatcouldtheymeanbysuchconduct—didtheywishtocheatmeoftheanimal？"Well，well，"saidI，"iftheydid，whatmatters，theyfoundtheirmatch；yes，yes，"saidI，"butIamintheirpower，perhaps"—butIinstantlydismissedtheapprehensionwhichcameintomymind，withapooh，nonsense！
　　Inalittletime，however，afarmorefoolishandchimericalideabegantodisturbme—theideaofbeingflungfrommyhorse；wasInotdisgracedforeverasahorsemanbybeingflungfrommyhorse？Assuredly，Ithought；andtheideaofbeingdisgracedasahorseman，operatingonmynervoussystem，causedmeveryacutemisery。"Afterall，"saidItomyself，"itwasperhapsthecontemptibleopinionwhichthesurgeonmusthaveformedofmyequestrianpowers，whichinducedhimtooffertotakemyhorseoffmyhands；heperhapsthoughtIwasunabletomanageahorse，andthereforeinpityreturnedinthedeadofnighttooffertopurchasetheanimalwhichhadflungme；"andthenthethoughtthatthesurgeonhadconceivedacontemptibleopinionofmyequestrianpowers，causedmetheacutestmisery，andcontinuedtormentingmeuntilsomeotheridea（Ihaveforgotwhatitwas，butdoubtlessequallyfoolish）tookpossessionofmymind。Atlength，broughtonbytheagitationofmyspirits，therecameovermethesamefeelingofhorrorthatIhadexperiencedofoldwhenIwasaboy，andlikewiseoflatewithinthedingle；itwas，however，notsoviolentasithadbeenonthoseoccasions，andIstruggledmanfullyagainstit，untilbydegreesitpassedaway，andthenIfellasleep；andinmysleepIhadanuglydream。IdreamtthatIhaddiedoftheinjuriesIhadreceivedfrommyfall，andthatnosoonerhadmysouldepartedfrommybodythanitenteredthatofaquadruped，evenmyownhorseinthestable—inaword，I
　　was，toallintentsandpurposes，myownsteed；andasI
　　stoodinthestablechewinghay（andIrememberthatthehaywasexceedinglytough），thedooropened，andthesurgeonwhohadattendedmecamein。"Mygoodanimal，"saidhe，"asyourlatemasterhasscarcelyleftenoughtopayfortheexpensesofhisfuneral，andnothingtoremuneratemeformytrouble，Ishallmakeboldtotakepossessionofyou。Ifyourpacesaregood，Ishallkeepyouformyownriding；ifnot，IshalltakeyoutoHorncastle，youroriginaldestination。"Hethenbridledandsaddledme，and，leadingmeout，mounted，andthentrottedmeupanddownbeforethehouse，atthedoorofwhichtheoldman，whonowappearedtobedressedinregularjockeyfashion，wasstanding。"Ilikehispaceswell，"saidthesurgeon；"IthinkIshalltakehimformyownuse。""AndwhatamItohaveforallthetroublehismastercausedme？"
　　saidmylateentertainer，onwhosecountenanceInowobserved，forthefirsttime，adiabolicalsquint。"Theconsciousnessofhavingdoneyourdutytoafellow—creatureinsuccouringhiminatimeofdistress，mustbeyourreward，"saidthesurgeon。"Prettygammon，truly，"saidmylateentertainer；"whatwouldyousayifIweretotalkinthatwaytoyou？Come，unlessyouchoosetobehavejonnock，Ishalltakethebridleandleadthehorsebackintothestable。""Well，"saidthesurgeon，"weareoldfriends，andIdon’twishtodisputewithyou，soI’lltellyouwhatI
　　willdo；IwillridetheanimaltoHorncastle，andwewillsharewhathefetcheslikebrothers。""Good，"saidtheoldman，"butifyousaythatyouhavesoldhimforlessthanahundred，Ishan’tconsideryoujonnock；rememberwhattheyoungfellowsaid—thatyoungfellow—"Iheardnomore，forthenextmomentIfoundmyselfonabroadroadleading，asIsupposed，inthedirectionofHorncastle，thesurgeonstillinthesaddle，andmylegsmovingatarapidtrot。
　　"Geton，"saidthesurgeon，jerkingmymouthwiththebit；
　　whereupon，fullofrage，Iinstantlysetoffatafullgallop，determined，ifpossible，todashmyridertotheearth。Thesurgeon，however，kepthisseat，and，sofarfromattemptingtoabatemyspeed，urgedmeontogreatereffortswithastoutstick，whichmethoughtheheldinhishand。InvaindidIrearandkick，attemptingtogetridofmyfoe；
　　butthesurgeonremainedassaddle—fastasevertheMaugrabinsorcererintheArabiantalewhattimeherodetheyoungprincetransformedintoasteedtohisenchantedpalaceinthewilderness。Atlast，asIwasstillmadlydashingon，pantingandblowing，andhadalmostgivenupallhope，Isawatadistancebeforemeaheapofstonesbythesideoftheroad，probablyplacedthereforthepurposeofrepairingit；
　　athoughtappearedtostrikeme—Iwillshyatthosestones，and，ifIcan’tgetridofhimso，resignmyselftomyfate。
　　SoIincreasedmyspeed，tillarrivingwithinabouttenyardsoftheheap，Imadeadesperatestart，turninghalfroundwithnearlythevelocityofamill—stone。Oh，thejoyI
　　experiencedwhenIfeltmyenemycantedovermyneck，andsawhimlyingsenselessintheroad。"Ihaveyounowinmypower，"Isaid，orratherneighed，as，goinguptomyprostratefoe，Istoodoverhim。"SupposeIweretorearnow，andletmyforefeetfalluponyou，whatwouldyourlifebeworth？thatis，supposingyouarenotkilledalready；butliethere，Iwilldoyounofurtherharm，buttrottoHorncastlewithoutarider，andwhenthere—"andwithoutfurtherreflectionoffItrottedinthedirectionofHorncastle，buthadnotgonefarbeforemybridle，fallingfrommyneck，gotentangledwithmyoffforefoot。Ifeltmyselffalling，athrillofagonyshotthroughme—mykneeswouldbebroken，andwhatshouldIdoatHorncastlewithapairofbrokenknees？Istruggled，butIcouldnotdisengagemyoffforefoot，anddownwardIfell，butbeforeIhadreachedthegroundIawoke，andfoundmyselfhalfoutofbed，mybandagedarminconsiderablepain，andmylefthandjusttouchingthefloor。
　　WithsomedifficultyIreadjustedmyselfinbed。Itwasnowearlymorning，andthefirstraysofthesunwerebeginningtopenetratethewhitecurtainsofawindowonmyleft，whichprobablylookedintothegarden，asIcaughtaglimpseortwooftheleavesoftreesthroughasmalluncoveredpartattheside。ForsometimeIfeltuneasyandanxious，myspiritsbeinginastrangeflutteringstate。Atlastmyeyesfelluponasmallrowoftea—cupsseeminglyofchina，whichstoodonamantelpieceexactlyfrontingthebottomofthebed。Thesightoftheseobjects，Iknownotwhy，soothedandpacifiedme；Ikeptmyeyesfixeduponthem，asIlayonmybackonthebed，withmyheaduponthepillow，tillatlastIfellintoacalmandrefreshingsleep。
　　CHAPTERXXXII
　　TheMorningafteraFall—TheTeapot—UnpretendingHospitality—TheChineseStudent。
　　ITmightbeabouteighto’clockinthemorningwhenIwasawakenedbytheentranceoftheoldman。"Howhaveyourested？"saidhe，cominguptothebedside，andlookingmeintheface。"Well，"saidI，"andIfeelmuchbetter，butIamstillverysore。"Isurveyedhimnowforthefirsttimewithattention。Hewasdressedinasober—colouredsuit，andwasapparentlybetweensixtyandseventy。Instaturehewasratherabovethemiddleheight，butwithaslightstoop；hisfeatureswereplacid，andexpressiveofmuchbenevolence，but，asitappearedtome，withratheramelancholycast—asIgazeduponthem，IfeltashamedthatIshouldeverhaveconceivedinmybrainavisionlikethatoftheprecedingnight，inwhichheappearedinsodisadvantageousalight。
　　Atlengthhesaid，"Itisnowtimeforyoutotakesomerefreshment。Ihearmyoldservantcomingupwithyourbreakfast。"Inamomenttheelderlyfemaleenteredwithatray，onwhichwassomebreadandbutter，ateapotandcup。
　　Thecupwasofcommonblueearthenware，butthepotwasofchina，curiouslyfashioned，andseeminglyofgreatantiquity。
　　Theoldmanpouredmeoutacupfuloftea，andthen，withtheassistanceofthewoman，raisedmehigher，andproppedmeupwiththepillows。Iateanddrank；whenthepotwasemptiedofitsliquid（itdidnotcontainmuch），Iraiseditupwithmylefthandtoinspectit。Thesideswerecoveredwithcuriouscharacters，seeminglyhieroglyphics。Aftersurveyingthemforsometime，Ireplacedituponthetray。"Youseemfondofchina，"saidI，totheoldman，aftertheservanthadretiredwiththebreakfastthings，andIhadreturnedtomyformerposture；"youhavechinaonthemantelpiece，andthatwasaremarkableteapotoutofwhichIhavejustbeendrinking。"
　　Theoldmanfixedhiseyesintentlyonme，andmethoughttheexpressionofhiscountenancebecameyetmoremelancholy。
　　"Yes，"saidhe，atlast，"Iamfondofchina—Ihavereasontobefondofchina—butforchinaIshould—"andherehesighedagain。
　　"Youvalueitforthequaintnessandsingularityofitsform，"saidI；"itappearstobelessadaptedforrealusethanourownpottery。"
　　"Icarelittleaboutitsform，"saidtheoldman；"Icareforitsimplyonaccountof—however，whytalktoyouonthesubjectwhichcanhavenopossibleinteresttoyou？Iexpectthesurgeonherepresently。"
　　"Idonotlikethatsurgeonatall，"saidI；"howstrangelyhebehavedlastnight，comingback，whenIwasjustfallingasleep，toaskmeifIwouldsellmyhorse。"
　　Theoldmansmiled。"Hehasbutonefailing，"saidhe，"anitchforhorse—dealing；butforthathemightbeamuchrichermanthanheis；heiscontinuallybuyingandexchanginghorses，andgenerallyfindshimselfaloserbyhisbargains：butheisaworthycreature，andskilfulinhisprofession—itiswellforyouthatyouareunderhiscare。"
　　Theoldmanthenleftme，andinaboutanhourreturnedwiththesurgeon，whoexaminedmeandreportedfavourablyastomycase。Hespoketomewithkindnessandfeeling，anddidnotintroducethesubjectofthehorse。IaskedhimwhetherhethoughtIshouldbeintimeforthefair。"Isawsomepeoplemakingtheirwaythitherto—day，"saidhe；"thefairlaststhreeweeks，andithasjustcommenced。Yes，IthinkImaypromiseyouthatyouwillbeintimefortheveryheatofit。
　　Inafewdaysyouwillbeabletomountyoursaddlewithyourarminasling，butyoumustbynomeansappearwithyourarminaslingatHorncastle，aspeoplewouldthinkthatyourhorsehadflungyou，andthatyouwantedtodisposeofhimbecausehewasaviciousbrute。Youmust，byallmeans，droptheslingbeforeyougettoHorncastle。"
　　ForthreedaysIkeptmyapartmentbytheadviceofthesurgeon。IpassedmytimeasIbestcould。Stretchedonmybed，Ieitherabandonedmyselftoreflection，orlistenedtothevoicesofthebirdsintheneighbouringgarden。
　　Sometimes，asIlayawakeatnight，Iwouldendeavourtocatchthetickofaclock，whichmethoughtsoundedfromsomedistantpartofthehouse。
　　Theoldmanvisitedmetwiceorthriceeverydaytoinquireintomystate。Hiswordswerefewontheseoccasions，andhedidnotstaylong。Yethisvoiceandhiswordswerekind。
　　Whatsurprisedmemostinconnectionwiththisindividualwas，thedelicacyofconductwhichheexhibitedinnotlettingawordproceedfromhislipswhichcouldtestifycuriosityrespectingwhoIwas，orwhenceIcame。Allheknewofmewas，thatIhadbeenflungfrommyhorseonmywaytoafairforthepurposeofdisposingoftheanimal；andthatIwasnowhisguest。Imightbeacommonhorse—dealerforwhatheknew，yetIwastreatedbyhimwithalltheattentionwhichIcouldhaveexpected，hadIbeenanaldermanofBoston’sheir，andknowntohimassuch。ThecountyinwhichIamnow，thoughtIatlast，mustbeeitherextraordinarilydevotedtohospitality，orthisoldhostofminemustbeanextraordinaryindividual。Ontheeveningofthefourthday，feelingtiredofmyconfinement，IputmyclothesoninthebestmannerIcould，andleftthechamber。
　　Descendingaflightofstairs，Ireachedakindofquadrangle，fromwhichbranchedtwoorthreepassages；oneoftheseIentered，whichhadadooratthefartherend，andoneoneachside；theonetotheleftstandingpartlyopen，I
　　enteredit，andfoundmyselfinamiddle—sizedroomwithalargewindow，orratherglass—door，whichlookedintoagarden，andwhichstoodopen。Therewasnothingremarkableinthisroom，exceptalargequantityofchina。Therewaschinaonthemantelpiece—chinaontwotables，andasmallbeaufet，whichstoodoppositetheglass—door，wascoveredwithchina—therewerecups，teapots，andvasesofvariousforms，andonallofthemIobservedcharacters—notateapot，notatea—cup，notavaseofwhateverformorsize，butappearedtopossesshieroglyphicsonsomepartorother。
　　Aftersurveyingthesearticlesforsometimewithnolittleinterest，Ipassedintothegarden，inwhichthereweresmallparterresofflowers，andtwoorthreetrees，andwhich，wherethehousedidnotabut，wasboundedbyawall；turningtotherightbyawalkbythesideofahouse，Ipassedbyadoor—probablytheoneIhadseenattheendofthepassage—andarrivedatanotherwindowsimilartothatthroughwhichIhadcome，andwhichalsostoodopen；Iwasabouttopassthroughit，whenIheardthevoiceofmyentertainerexclaiming，"Isthatyou？praycomein。"
　　Ienteredtheroom，whichseemedtobeacounterpartoftheonewhichIhadjustleft。Itwasofthesamesize，hadthesamekindoffurniture，andappearedtobeequallywellstockedwithchina；oneprominentarticleitpossessed，however，whichtheotherroomdidnotexhibit—namely，aclock，which，withitspendulummovingtick—a—tick，hungagainstthewalloppositetothedoor，thesightofwhichmademeconcludethatthesoundwhichmethoughtIhadheardinthestillnessofthenightwasnotanimaginaryone。
　　Thereithungonthewall，withitspendulummovingtick—a—
　　tick。Theoldgentlemanwasseatedinaneasychairalittlewayintotheroom，havingtheglass—dooronhisrighthand。
　　Onatablebeforehimlayalargeopenvolume，inwhichI
　　observedRomanlettersaswellascharacters。Afewinchesbeyondthebookonthetable，coveredalloverwithhieroglyphics，stoodachinavase。Theeyesoftheoldmanwerefixeduponit。
　　"Sitdown，"saidhe，motioningmewithhishandtoastoolcloseby，butwithouttakinghiseyesfromthevase。
　　"Ican’tmakeitout，"saidhe，atlast，removinghiseyesfromthevase，andleaningbackonthechair，"Ican’tmakeitout。"
　　"IwishIcouldassistyou，"saidI。
　　"Assistme，"saidtheoldman，lookingatmewithahalfsmile。
　　"Yes，"saidI，"butIdon’tunderstandChinese。"
　　"Isupposenot，"saidtheoldman，withanotherslightsmile；
　　"but—but—"
　　"Prayproceed，"saidI。
　　"Iwishedtoaskyou，"saidtheoldman，"howyouknewthatthecharactersonyonpieceofcrockerywereChinese；or，indeed，thattherewassuchalanguage？"
　　"Iknewthecrockerywaschina，"saidI，"andnaturallyenoughsupposedwhatwaswrittenuponittobeChinese；asfortherebeingsuchalanguage—theEnglishhavealanguage，theFrenchhavealanguage，andwhynottheChinese？"
　　"MayIaskyouaquestion？"
　　"Asmanyasyoulike。"
　　"DoyouknowanylanguagebesidesEnglish？"
　　"Yes，"saidI，"Iknowalittleoftwoorthree。"
　　"MayIasktheirnames？"
　　"Whynot？"saidI，"IknowalittleFrench。"
　　"Anythingelse？"
　　"Yes，alittleWelsh，andalittleHaik。"
　　"WhatisHaik？"
　　"Armenian。"
　　"Iamgladtoseeyouinmyhouse，"saidtheoldman，shakingmebythehand；"howsingularthatonecomingasyoudidshouldknowArmenian！"
　　"Notmoresingular，"saidI，"thanthatonelivinginsuchaplaceasthisshouldknowChinese。Howcameyoutoacquireit？"
　　Theoldmanlookedatme，andsighed。"Ibegpardon，"saidI，"foraskingwhatis，perhaps，animpertinentquestion；I
　　havenotimitatedyourowndelicacy；youhaveneveraskedmeaquestionwithoutfirstdesiringpermission，andhereIhavebeendaysandnightsinyourhouseanintruderonyourhospitality，andyouhaveneversomuchasaskedmewhoI
　　am。"
　　"Inforbearingtodothat，"saidtheoldman，"ImerelyobeyedtheChineseprecept，’Asknoquestionsofaguest；’itiswrittenonbothsidesoftheteapotoutofwhichyouhavehadyourtea。"
　　"IwishIknewChinese，"saidI。"Isitadifficultlanguagetoacquire？"
　　"Ihavereasontothinkso，"saidtheoldman。"Ihavebeenoccupieduponitfive—and—thirtyyears，andIamstillveryimperfectlyacquaintedwithit；atleast，Ifrequentlyfinduponmycrockerysentencesthemeaningofwhichtomeisverydark，thoughitistruethesesentencesaremostlyverses，whichare，ofcourse，moredifficulttounderstandthanmereprose。"
　　"AreyourChinesestudies，"saidI，"confinedtocrockeryliterature？"
　　"Entirely，"saidtheoldman；"Ireadnothingelse。"
　　"Ihaveheard，"saidI，"thattheChinesehavenoletters，butthatforeverywordtheyhaveaseparatecharacter—isitso？"
　　"Foreverywordtheyhaveaparticularcharacter，"saidtheoldman；"though，topreventconfusion，theyhavearrangedtheirwordsundertwohundredandfourteenwhatweshouldcallradicals，butwhichtheycallkeys。Aswearrangeallourwordsinadictionaryundertwenty—fourletters，sodotheyarrangealltheirwords，orcharacters，undertwohundredandfourteenradicalsigns；thesimplestradicalsbeingthefirst，andthemorecomplexthelast。"
　　"DoestheChineseresembleanyoftheEuropeanlanguagesinwords？"saidI。
　　"Iamscarcelycompetenttoinformyou，"saidtheoldman；
　　"butIbelievenot。"
　　"Whatdoesthatcharacterrepresent？"saidI，pointingtooneonthevase。
　　"Aknife，"saidtheoldman，"thatcharacterisoneofthesimplestradicalsorkeys。"
　　"Andwhatisthesoundofit？"saidI。
　　"Tau，"saidtheoldman。
　　"Tau！"saidI；"tau！"
　　"Astrangewordforaknifeisitnot？"saidtheoldman。
　　"Tawse！"saidI；"tawse！"
　　"Whatistawse？"saidtheoldman。
　　"YouwereneveratschoolatEdinburgh，Isuppose？"
　　"Never，"saidtheoldman。