The Wallet of Kai Lung | Page 9

of secrecy and reserve. Inwardly sighing at the interruption,
Ling nevertheless received him with distinguished consideration and
respect, setting tea before him, and performing towards it many
honourable actions with his own hands. Not until some hours had sped
in conversation relating to the health of the Emperor, the unexpected
appearance of a fiery dragon outside the city, and the insupportable
price of opium, did the visitor allude to the object of his presence.
"It has been observed," he remarked, "that the accomplished Ling, who
aspires to a satisfactory rank at the examinations, has never before
made the attempt. Doubtless in this case a preternatural wisdom will
avail much, and its fortunate possessor will not go unrewarded. Yet it is
as precious stones among ashes for one to triumph in such
circumstances."
"The fact is known to this person," replied Ling sadly, "and the thought
of the years he may have to wait before he shall have passed even the
first degree weighs down his soul with bitterness from time to time."

"It is no infrequent thing for men of accomplished perseverance, but
merely ordinary intellects, to grow venerable within the four walls of
the examination cell," continued the other. "Some, again, become
afflicted with various malignant evils, while not a few, chiefly those
who are presenting themselves for the first time, are so overcome on
perceiving the examination paper, and understanding the inadequate
nature of their own accomplishments, that they become an easy prey to
the malicious spirits which are ever on the watch in those places; and,
after covering their leaves with unpresentable remarks and drawings of
men and women of distinguished rank, have at length to be forcibly
carried away by the attendants and secured with heavy chains."
"Such things undoubtedly exist," agreed Ling; "yet by a due regard paid
to spirits, both good and bad, a proper esteem for one's ancestors, and a
sufficiency of charms about the head and body, it is possible to be
closeted with all manner of demons and yet to suffer no evil."
"It is undoubtedly possible to do so, according to the Immortal
Principles," admitted the stranger; "but it is not an undertaking in which
a refined person would take intelligent pleasure; as the proverb says,
'He is a wise and enlightened suppliant who seeks to discover an
honourable Mandarin, but he is a fool who cries out, "I have found
one."' However, it is obvious that the reason of my visit is understood,
and that your distinguished confidence in yourself is merely a graceful
endeavour to obtain my services for a less amount of taels than I should
otherwise have demanded. For half the usual sum, therefore, this person
will take your place in the examination cell, and enable your versatile
name to appear in the winning lists, while you pass your moments in
irreproachable pleasures elsewhere."
Such a course had never presented itself to Ling. As the person who
narrates this story has already marked, he had passed his life beyond
the influence of the ways and manners of towns, and at the same time
he had naturally been endowed with an unobtrusive highmindedness. It
appeared to him, in consequence, that by accepting this engaging offer
he would be placing those who were competing with him at a
disadvantage. This person clearly sees that it is a difficult matter for

him to explain how this could be, as Ling would undoubtedly reward
the services of the one who took his place, nor would the number of the
competitors be in any way increased; yet in such a way the thing took
shape before his eyes. Knowing, however, that few persons would be
able to understand this action, and being desirous of not injuring the
estimable emotions of the obliging person who had come to him, Ling
made a number of polished excuses in declining, hiding the true reason
within himself. In this way he earned the powerful malignity of the
person in question, who would not depart until he had effected a
number of very disagreeable prophecies connected with unpropitious
omens and internal torments, all of which undoubtedly had a great
influence on Ling's life beyond that time.
Each day of the examination found Ling alternately elated or depressed,
according to the length and style of the essay which he had written
while enclosed in his solitary examination cell. The trials each lasted a
complete day, and long before the fifteen days which composed the full
examination were passed, Ling found himself half regretting that he
had not accepted his visitor's offer, or even reviling the day on which
he had abandoned the hereditary calling of his ancestors. However,
when, after all was over, he came to deliberate with himself on his
chances of attaining a degree, he could not