334 THE LOYAL AND FAITHFUL 



time proceeded Several miles with the luggage, where he halted. 

 Here he saw assembled a number of respectable persons, with mul- 

 titudes of the people, who had spread a table with delicacies. In 

 a short time Mei-kwei arrived, when all went forth to meet him. 

 Mei-kwei, on seeing the sedans as he approached, said, " I perceive 

 there are several officers who are my superiors. Gentlemen, why 

 you violate established usages?" When, in a body, they rushed 

 forth, and, seizing him by the hand, replied, " Venerable Sir, be- 

 sides coming to offer you congratulations on your promotion, your 

 brother officers are desirous of partaking with you. Venerable 

 Sir, a parting repast ; why talk of disturbing established usages ?" 

 When they all repaired to the table. It was with difficulty they could 

 induce Mei-kwei to take three glasses of wine. After a little gene- 

 ral conversation he arose and took leave of each of his brother 

 officers. On passing the tables of the respectable inhabitants, from 

 respect, he was compelled to take three glasses with them also. On 

 taking leave of them the people rushed forth and requested that he 

 would not decline to, drink with them. Mei-kwei said, "Virtuous 

 people, 1 beg you will rise, for your magistrate wishes you every 

 comfort." On drinking with them he said, " How could 1 endure to 

 separate from you, were it not for his Majesty's command ; but I 

 dare not disobey. Return to your families. Respect your parents. 

 Be diligent in your callings, whether it be the cultivating of the land, 

 or literary pursuits. Be not extravagant." The people unitedly 

 replied, " We dare not but revere. Venerable Sir, your golden 

 counsel." Mei-kwei, in leaving these affectionate people, was unable 

 to refrain from shedding tears. 



Mei-kwei and Mei-pih having taken leave of the people, both felt 

 their minds depressed, when the former broke silence by detailing 

 the pure motive that influenced his conduct during the ten years he 

 had filled his late appointment. This was the principal topic of conver- 

 sation from morning till night. One day, as they were proceeding, they 

 observed four persons on horseback approaching towards them, whose 

 dress indicated that they belonged to the public offices. They rode 

 close to Mei-kwei's sedan, and, addressing him, said, " I beg to ask 

 from whence you come ? " Mei-pih replied, "/ am from the pro- 

 vince of Shan-tung." The four persons immediately alighted, when 

 they asked, "Sir, do you know whether Mei-kwei, the magnate, has 

 yet commenced his journey or not?'' Mei-kwei asked which 

 *' Mei, the magnate? " That person replied, " The magnate Mei, 

 who presides over the district Leih-ching of the city Tse-nan, of 

 Shan-lung province, who has been promoted by the Le-poo board 

 of magistracy." Mei-pih replied, " Is this not Mei, the magnate ?" 

 These persons on leading their horses beneath the trees for shade, 

 advancing, desired the sedan to slop, having something to commu- 

 nicate to his Excellency. On the bearers hailing, these persons said, 

 ■' We mean persons have been sent by the heads of the courts to pay 

 our respects to your Excellency." Mei-kwei asked, " Do you say 

 you are persons despatched to wait upon me ?" They replied, " Yes." 

 Mei-kwei said, " As I do not want you on the road, you will pre- 

 cede me, and obtain at the inn a] clean room, where I may put 



