Page:The Specimen Case.djvu/49

40 is my phœnix upon wheels whose place was here? Have you incapably destroyed it?"

"Not I," declared Ming Tseuen, though mildly. "It is laid by. This person is too old for such immature devices."

"How so?" demanded San indignantly. "My years are twelve, while among the outside I freely pass for more. How many years are thine?"

"Mine are somewhat more, though I freely pass for less," admitted Ming. "Therein we meet upon a middle ground."

"Further," continued San vaingloriously, "I am affianced to a virtuous maiden of the worthy house of Tai, whom I shall in due course marry and have a hundred strong sons of my own. Are you"

"Which one is that—this maiden?" interposed Ming Tseuen, more sharply than his wont.

"How should I say—not having ever seen her? But she has a sweet-smelling name and all the nine delights. Are you thus pledged or married?"

"Not yet," admitted Ming, “but I may some day attain it."

"I do not think so—though more I may not say lest I should tell too much. Why, when I move my head or hand, do you do likewise also, and why should you change your voice to follow mine?"

"Consider the gladness of thy father's eyes when even he fails to discriminate between us," replied Ming, with an appropriate gesture such as San would use, and speaking with the counterpart of that one's voice. "Is it not—but hasten, one approaches from the inner hall. Here! Crouch quickly down behind this screen and eat your breath, or much bamboo awaits us!" Ming Tseuen only paused for a single beat of time to assure himself that San was adequately concealed before he sought to un-