Page:Leaves from my Chinese Scrapbook - Balfour, 1887.djvu/203

 THE STORY. and then you can stay here and look after the place for me. Well, what do you say?"

Then all the others chimed in. "Why, there's a stroke of luck for you!" they cried; "why don't you thank his worship for such a gracious offer?" But the old man had grown numb and powerless under the insult, and his lips refused to move.

"What a brute of an old fellow this is!" exclaimed Chang. "Why don't you answer me, Yes or No?"

"I have already told you No," replied the victim, with as much firmness as he could muster; "why do you ask again?"

"Bosh!" was the polite rejoinder. "Now look here; if you dare to say 'No' again, I'll have you arrested. I can do it, mind; so look out for your own skin. I'll give you one more chance."

Tsiu became speechless with grief and indignation. There seemed no hope for him at all. Then he thought his best plan would be to tide over the immediate difficulty by temporising; for Chang was a man of influence, and just then he was very tipsy; the great thing was to get rid of him as soon as possible. So, repressing his wrath by a violent effort, he replied—

"If your worship really wants my garden, we will speak about it in a day or two; it is not a matter that can be settled hastily. Come, gentlemen, you have business; do not let any considerations of politeness detain you longer."

So saying he rose, in the hope of effecting a general move. His plan was successful, and everybody swore that his proposition was very reasonable. Then Chang and his associates staggered to their feet, while the