Page:Chinese Merry Tales (1909).djvu/69

55] father, in the water, stuck out his head and said, in a loud voice: "If it is three candareens of silver, come and save me ; if more is wanted, tell him he need not come to save me."

Chapter XCVII.— Only I and a Beggar. (剩個窮花子與我) THERE were two men — one named Chang and the other Li — while wylking together one day, met a wealthy man travelling in a sedan chair, with many followers. Chang took hold of Li, and they hid themselves behind the front door of a house. The former said: "The gentleman in the sedan chair is my most intimate friend; if I do not hide myself, he will come out of his chair and perform the necessary ceremonies. We would have to trouble each other; that would not be convenient for either of us." Li answered: "You were right to keep yourself from his view." They were walking and conversing together, and after a while they met a cultured and well-dressed gentleman riding on horseback; his followers not a few. Chang again took Li aside and hid themselves behind a front door and said: "That man on horseback is a good friend of mine from our youth. If I do not hide myself, he will have to come down from his horse and chin-chin to me; that will be a bother." Li again replied: "You are right to hide yourself" They again started on. From a long distance they saw a beggar with ragged clothes and torn hat, crying and coming toward them. Li said: "Let us run quick." He took hold of Chang, and they hid themselves behind a front door. Li said: "You see that beggar; he is not only my near relative, but he is a good friend of mine. If I do not hide myself, and if he gets a sight of me, he will feel ashamed." Chang was surprised to hear this and said: "Why do you have this sort of intimate friend?" Li replied: "The rich and the honoured you have owned; there is only a beggar left for me. Let me make friends with him."