"'True,' was the reply, 'but whence are you? How is it that you should
come to find me at midnight? To what family do you belong?'

"Cheng-chong answered: 'I am Mr. Ni, living at Tong-ku-an. As I was
passing before your house I was attracted by strange sounds. Then
through a hole in the door I saw an old man crying, a dancing nun, and a
man in mourning singing. Why did the nun dance, the bereaved man sing,
and the old man weep? I have called you out on purpose to learn the
reason of these things.'

"'For what reason do you pry into other people's business?' was the
question in reply. 'This is little concern to you. It is past midnight
now, and you had better get home as soon as you can.'

"'No, indeed. I admit that it seems wrong for me to be so curious in
regard to your affairs, but this case is so very extraordinary that I
hope you will not refuse to tell me about it. You may be sure that I
shall not betray your confidence.'

"'Alas! why such persistence in trying to learn about other people's
business?'

"'It is very important,' replied the king, 'that I should obtain the
information I have asked of you. Further than that I cannot explain at
present.'"

Yung Pak wanted to interrupt the storyteller here and say that he did
not blame the man for objecting to telling his private business, but he
had early been taught that it was highly improper for a Korean boy to