the sacrifices at the prince's temple he
would never put aside till the following day. The meat of his own
offerings he would never give out after three days' keeping, for after
that time none were to eat it.
At his meals he would not enter into discussions; and when reposing
(afterwards) he would not utter a word.
Even should his meal consist only of coarse rice and vegetable broth or
melons, he would make an offering, and never fail to do so religiously.
He would never sit on a mat that was not straight.
After a feast among his villagers, he would wait before going away until
the old men had left.
When the village people were exorcising the pests, he would put on his
Court robes and stand on the steps of his hall to receive them.
When he was sending a message of inquiry to a person in another State,
he would bow twice on seeing the messenger off.
Ki K'ang once sent him a present of some medicine. He bowed, and
received it; but remarked, "Until I am quite sure of its properties I
must not venture to taste it."
Once when the stabling was destroyed by fire, he withdrew from the
Court, and asked, "Is any person injured? "--without inquiring as to the
horses.
Whenever the prince sent him a present of food, he was particular to set
his mat in proper order, and would be the first one to taste it. If the
prince's present was one of raw meat, he must needs have it cooked, and
make an oblation of it. If the gift were a live animal, he would be sure
to keep it and care for it.
When he was in waiting, and at a meal with the prince, the prince would
make the offering,[25] and he (the Master) was the pregustator.
When unwell, and the prince came to see him, he would arrange his
position so that his head inclined towards the east, would put over him
his Court robes, and draw his girdle across them.
When summoned by order of the prince, he would start off without waiting
for his horses to be put to.
On his entry into the Grand Temple, he inquired about everything
connected with its usages.
If a friend died, and there were no near relatives to take him to, he
would say, "Let him be buried from my house."
For a friend's gift--unless it consisted of meat that had been offered
in sacrifice--he would not bow, even if it were a carriage and horses.
In repose he did not lie like one dead. In his home life he was not
formal in his manner.
Whenever he met with a person in mourning, even though it were a
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