Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/128

RV 123 (THE PEAR GARDEN) green serpent crouching at Yuhan's feet might have been the symbol of jealousy.

The first game that followed was polo. The Emperor himself was a magnificent player. When he participated, his team usually won. Not because the opponents were afraid to defeat the Emperor, but because they were unable to do so. In his enthusiasm for the game he had issued orders that all officials above the Third Grade were to learn to play. This was somewhat difficult because many of the best known statesmen were old, with fat paunches, and creaky knees. They had never before ridden a horse, with the result that they were totally inadequate. They fell off their horses with such force that they were breathless. It is bad form to fall from one's polo pony. The Emperor laughed uproariously as they feebly attempted to rise. Occasionally they had to be carried from the field.

"What a sad dreary drove of officials," said he.

Public opinion was against the Emperor playing polo. Even the thought that he might fall off his horse was a sacrilege, in view of his being "The Son of Heaven." Ming laughed at the absurdity of their forebodings. Why, he had practically been born on a horse. Simultaneously with learning to walk, he had learned to ride. When he was in the saddle, horse and man were one.

Neither Ming Huang nor Yuhan paid much attention to the game. He breathed in her fragrance, and whispered, "I would have my thirst quenched by snow, RV 123 (123)