unworthy person will proceed."

"Vast chasms can be filled, but the heart of man never," quoted the
pipe-maker in retort. "Oh, most incapable of story-tellers, have you
not on two separate occasions slept beneath my utterly inadequate roof
without payment?"

But he, nevertheless, deposited three cash in the bowl, and drew
nearer among the front row of the listeners.

"It was during the reign of the enlightened Emperor Tsing Nung," began
Kai Lung, without further introduction, "that there lived at a village
near Honan a wealthy and avaricious maker of idols, named Ti Hung. So
skilful had he become in the making of clay idols that his fame had
spread for many li round, and idol-sellers from all the neighbouring
villages, and even from the towns, came to him for their stock. No
other idol-maker between Honan and Nanking employed so many clay-
gatherers or so many modellers; yet, with all his riches, his avarice
increased till at length he employed men whom he called 'agents' and
'travellers,' who went from house to house selling his idols and
extolling his virtues in verses composed by the most illustrious poets
of the day. He did this in order that he might turn into his own
pocket the full price of the idols, grudging those who would otherwise
have sold them the few cash which they would make. Owing to this he
had many enemies, and his army of travellers made him still more; for
they were more rapacious than the scorpion, and more obstinate than
the ox. Indeed, there is still the proverb, 'With honey it is possible
to soften the heart of the he-goat; but a blow from an iron cleaver is
taken as a mark of welcome by an agent of Ti Hung.' So that people
barred the doors at their approach, and even hung out signs of death