Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/172

 Therefore his descriptive powers are vivid. He is slow to grasp an idea. A coolie must be given the same instruction a dozen times before he understands it But once learned it is not soon forgotten. He is hazy in thought, often the result of over-indulgence in samshu or opium. It has been said that no matter how well you know a Chinaman he is still surprising, due perhaps to his complex, credulous nature. Although he is of strong character, he believes everything. Truthfulness is not considered by him to be a virtue, nor should it be since truth does not exist in the Orient. As a matter of fact he looks on lying as clever. The most proficient liars are the noblest men. But he never defaults in payment at a bank. If he dies possessed of debts his son or brother will assume them. His mind works in a veiled fascinating way. He is not thorough. His enthusiasm seldom lasts until a task is done. Always slovenly, he finishes good work in a slipshod manner. From infancy his existence remains languid. He never bothers about time. There is always tomorrow. He is sober,