"This entirely
undistinguished person cannot even imagine."
A distressing pause followed, during which many whispered
anxiously. The Lustrous Lady broke it.
"It is true that the highly ornamental Round-Faced Beauty is but
lately come, yet even the intelligent Ant may assist the Dragon;
and in the presence of alarm, what is decorum? With a tiger
behind one, who can recall the Book of Rites and act with
befitting elegance?"
"The high-born will at all times remember the Rites!" retorted
the Celestial Sister. "Have we not heard the August Aunt observe:
`Those who understand do not speak. Those who speak do not
understand'?"
The Round-Faced Beauty collected her courage.
"Doubtless this is wisdom; yet if the wise do not speak, who
should instruct us? The August Aunt herself would be silent."
All were confounded by this dilemma, and the little Lady
Summer-Dress, still weeping, entreated that the Round-Faced
Beauty might be heard. The Heavenly Blossoms then prepared to
listen and assumed attitudes of attention, which so disconcerted
the Round-Faced Beauty that she blushed like a spring tulip in
speaking.
Pages:
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329