Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/229

 than the fragile flowers that bloomed in the garden. Loo Zoo hated the jewels but always he came back. He could not escape their allure. Nor did he suggest by word or manner that he resented their radiance. Incessantly he remained the cultured, affable gentleman. Poor indeed is he who wears his mind upon his sleeve that all may read. Ideas, opinions are things to keep hidden within one's body. A man that is easy to read is a pitiful object. No matter how vast his wealth may be, unto him a coolie is a king. For at least the expression of a coolie is inscrutable. He has learned the important lesson of submerging his personality. A man is only as great as his hobbies for therein lies the single spark of his individuality that he may with discretion proclaim to the world.

One morning in the garden Loo Zoo stopped to talk with Scobee. Hung Long Tom had acquainted him with Scobee's condition and he had requested that he converse with him. Loo Zoo who loved to study rugs, the color and weave and exquisite design, who