every occasion and on every subject,
whether the matter involved is one that we understand or not."

"Your clear-cut words will carry far," said Chang Tao deferentially,
and, indeed, Melodious Vision's voice had imperceptibly assumed a
penetrating quality that justified the remark. "Yet is it fitting that
beings so superior in every way should be swayed by the example of
those who are necessarily uncivilized and rude?"

"Even a mole may instruct a philosopher in the art of digging,"
replied the maiden, with graceful tolerance. "Thus among those uncouth
tribes it is the custom, when a valiant youth would enlarge his face
in the eyes of a maiden, that he should encounter forth and slay
dragons, to the imperishable glory of her name. By this beneficent
habit not only are the feeble and inept automatically disposed of, but
the difficulty of choosing one from among a company of suitors, all
apparently possessing the same superficial attributes, is materially
lightened."

"The system may be advantageous in those dark regions," admitted Chang
Tao reluctantly, "but it must prove unsatisfactory in our more
favoured land."

"In what detail?" demanded the maiden, pausing in her attitude of
assured superiority.

"By the essential drawback that whereas in those neglected outer parts
there really are no dragons, here there really are. Thus--"

"Doubtless there are barbarian maidens for those who prefer to
encounter barbarian dragons, then," exclaimed Melodious Vision, with a
very elaborately sustained air of no-concern.

"Doubtless," assented Chang Tao mildly. "Yet having set forth in the
direction of a specific Vision it is this person's intention to pursue
it to an ultimate end."

"The quiet duck puts his foot on the unobservant worm," murmured Shen
Yi, with delicate encouragement, adding "This one casts a more
definite shadow than those before."

"Yet," continued the maiden, "to all, my unbending word is this: he
who would return for approval must experience difficulties, overcome
dangers and conquer dragons. Those who do not adventure on the quest
will pass outward from this person's mind."

"And those who do will certainly Pass Upward from their own bodies,"
ran the essence of the youth's inner thoughts. Yet the network of her
unevadable power and presence was upon him; he acquiescently replied:

"It is accepted. On such an errand difficulties and dangers will not
require any especial search. Yet how many dragons