"This is notable," said the Round-Faced Beauty. "Observation
enlightens the mind. To be apart - to be distinguished - secures
notice!" And she plunged into thought again, wandering, herself a
flower, among the gorgeous tree peonies.
On the following day the August Aunt commanded that a writer
among the palace attendants should, with brush and ink, be
summoned to transcribe the wisdom of the ladies. She requested
that each would give three days to thought, relating the
following anecdote. "There was a man who, taking a piece of
ivory, carved it into a mulberry leaf, spending three years on
the task. When finished it could not be told from the original,
and was a gift suitable for the Brother of the Sun and Moon. Do
likewise!"
"But yet, 0 Augustness!" said the Celestial Sister, "if the Lord
of Heaven took as long with each leaf, there would be few leaves
on the trees, and if-"
The August Aunt immediately commanded silence and retired. On the
third day she seated herself in her chair of carved ebony, while
the attendant placed himself by her feet and prepared to record
her words.
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