Межзвёздный скиталец

           ItwasthegreatlitterofChongMong-ju,bornebyeightcoolies,withoutridersbeforeandbehindandflutteringattendantsoneitherside.

           Twoemperors,civilwar,famine,andadozenpalacerevolutionshadcomeandgone;andChongMong-juremained,eventhenthegreatpoweratKeijo.Hemusthavebeennearlyeightythatspringmorningonthecliffswhenhesignalledwithpalsiedhandforhislittertoberesteddownthathemightgazeuponuswhomhehadpunishedforsolong.

           “Now,Omyking,”theLadyOmmumbledlowtome,thenturnedtowhineanalmsofChongMong-ju,whomsheaffectednottorecognize.

           AndIknewwhatwasherthought.Hadwenotshareditforfortyyears?Andthemomentofitsconsummationhadcomeatlast.SoI,too,affectednottorecognizemyenemy,and,puttingonanidioticsenility,I,too,crawledinthedusttowardthelitterwhiningformercyandcharity.

           Theattendantswouldhavedrivenmeback,butwithage-quaveringcacklesChongMong-jurestrainedthem.Heliftedhimselfonashakingelbow,andwiththeothershakinghanddrewwiderapartthesilkencurtains.Hiswitheredoldfacewastransfiguredwithdelightashegloatedonus.

           “Omyking,”theLadyOmwhinedtomeinherbeggar’schant;andIknewallherlong-triedloveandfaithinmyemprisewereinthatchant