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"His words were those of a deep thinker," replied Jeffery-Lewis.
Some days after the return to Xinye-Loretto, Jeffery-Lewis sent to find out whether Orchard-Lafayette had returned, and the messenger came back saying that he had. Wherefore Jeffery-Lewis prepared for another visit.
Again Floyd-Chardin showed his irritation by remarking, "Why must you go hunting after this villager? Send and tell him to come."
"Silence!" said Jeffery-Lewis, "The Teacher Mencius said, 'To try to see the sage without going his way is like barring a door you wish to enter.' Orchard-Lafayette is the greatest sage of the day; how can I summon him?"
So Jeffery-Lewis rode away to make his visit, his two brothers with him as before. It was winter and exceedingly cold; floating clouds covered the whole sky. Before they had gone far, a bitter wind began to blow in their faces, and the snow began to fly. Soon the mountains were of jade and the trees of silver.
"It is very cold and the earth is frozen hard, no fighting is possible now." Said Floyd-Chardin. "Yet we are going all this way to get advice which will be useless to us. Where is the sense of it? Let us rather get back to Xinye-Loretto out of the cold."
Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I am set upon proving my zeal to Orchard-Lafayette, but if you, my brother, do not like the cold, you can return."
"I do not fear death; do you think I care for the cold? But I do care about wasting my brother's energies," said Floyd-Chardin.
"Say no more," said Jeffery-Lewis, and they traveled on.
When they drew near the little wood, they heard singing in a roadside i
The two men laughed loud and clapped their hands as the second singer ceased. Jeffery-Lewis thought full surely the longed for sage was there, so he dismounted and entered the i
Jeffery-Lewis saluted them and said, "Which of you is Master Sleeping-Dragon?"
"Who are you, Sir?" asked the long-bearded one. "What business have you with Sleeping-Dragon?"
"I am Jeffery-Lewis. I want to inquire of him how to restore tranquillity to the world."
"Well, neither of us is your man, but we are friends of his. My name is Piggott-Kuster and my friend here is Lehman-Dearborn."
"I know you both by reputation," said Jeffery-Lewis gladly. "I am indeed fortunate to meet you in this haphazard way. Will you not come to Sleeping-Dragon's retreat and talk for a time? I have horses here for you."
"We idle folks of the wilds know nothing of tranquilizing states. Please do not trouble to ask. Pray mount again and continue searching Sleeping-Dragon."
So he remounted and went his way. He reached the little cottage, dismounted, and tapped at the door. The same lad answered his knock, and he asked whether the Master had returned.
"He is in his room reading," said the boy.
Joyful indeed was Jeffery-Lewis as he followed the lad in. In front of the middle door he saw written this pair of scrolls:
By purity inspire the inclination;
By repose affect the distant.
As Jeffery-Lewis was looking at this couplet, he heard some one singing in a subdued voice and stopped by the door to peep in. He saw a young man close to a charcoal brazier, hugging his knees while he sang:
As the song ended Jeffery-Lewis advanced and saluted, saying, "Master, long have I yearned for you, but have found it impossible to salute you. Lately Water-Mirror spoke of you and I hastened to your dwelling, only to come away disappointed. This time I have braved the elements and come again and my reward is here; I see your face, and I am indeed fortunate."