THE LAND OF PEACH BLOOM 1 1 7 



"Your merit is recorded in the Book of Fate; it was 

 Fate that directed your footsteps. Perhaps you are the 

 re-incarnation of one of the Master's disciples; we cannot 

 say; that question can only be answered by the Divinity 

 who shapes the destinies of men, ' ' 



While they were thus coversing the guests began to 

 assemble, and each in turn was formally introduced to the 

 fisherman, who was greeted by all in the kindest possible 

 way. 



Meanwhile, in the adjoining banquet hall preparations 

 were proceeding apace on a sumptuous scale. Already 

 musicians, and singers, and pretty dancing girls had taken 

 up their proper places on a raised platform to enliven the 

 feast with their entertainment; the tuning of queer stringed- 

 instruments, the sound of pipes, and the tinkling of bells 

 and musical stones, could now be heard. Soon an attendant 

 announced that the banquet was ready, and to the accom- 

 paniment of music appropriate to such festive occasions, the 

 company repaired to the feast. As guest of honour the 

 fisherman was again assigned his seat on the left-hand side 

 of the Elder; the rest sat where they pleased. The repast 

 was fit for the Gods; an interminable number of courses of 

 fruits and choice- viands were served, and great cheer pre- 

 vailed. 



When the feasting was over and all the guests had 

 departed for their respective homes, the fisherman was 

 conducted to an elegantly appointed suite of apartments 

 specially prepared for his occupation. 



The next day the fisherman informed the Elder that he 

 was deeply sensible of the extremely kind treatment he had 

 received, and had decided to stay; but it was necessary for 

 tor him to return to the world for a little while in order to 

 settle some urgent affairs. For instance, he had a boat and 

 various fishing tackle to dispose of, besides other matters 

 to attend to. He was therefore not quite prepared to quit 

 the world and all his belongings at such short notice ; these 

 and a hundred and one other similar reasons he urged in 

 justification of his desire to leave them for a few days. 



Alas! 'tis ever thus that mortals plead. How few are 

 prepared to answer the call from a better land without hesita- 

 tion or reluctance ! The poor creatures of the earth cling 

 with tenacity to their paltry mundane affairs; they all have 

 excuses. They have accounts to settle, debts to collect, 

 lands to dispose of, houses to sell, and a balance sheet to 

 draw up. The rich man must see that he is not robbed of 

 his <*old; the miser must count his hoard once more. All 

 must tarry vet a little longer, and all plead pitifully for a 



