To this, however, one or two of the ladies of the party strenuously objected and they were joined by Old Man Soong, who probably felt that he was too near the time when he himself would be able to pass a personal judgment on the truth or} falsity of things spiritual, to find the 'Soong was about to accept gralefully, when he observed a supercilious grin' on the faces of one or two of the younger members of the party. Evidently there was face to be lost.
"Please do not trouble," he said, "There are plenty of stars out and T can easily find my way."
Having bade good-bye to every~ body and buttoned up his overcoat, since the late September nights were already turning cold, he stepped out resolutely in the direction of his home tthe other end of the town.
Chinese county towns are not as a rule wollelighted and Sanhsing was exception. Along the. straggling street ahead of him were a succession dimly burning all lamps which left long stretches of shadow in between.
Soong moved to the middle of the! road and fixed his eye resolutely on next lamp. Another—fifteen minutes and he would be at home.
'Then he remembered that he had to pass the ruins of the once famous 'Three 'Treasures Inn that hed been destroyed by the mob at the time the Reds had occupied the town, most of the staff perishing inthe flames. He paused uncertainty' and would have turned back to accept the service of that coolie and his fambea had not the memory of those. grin-ming youngsters come to him again. To asia assistance after having refused would make "him the laughing stock of the whole district. There Was nothing for It; he must go on.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.