eed
Wei Chang. "Would it not add to their indignity to depict them as
struggling beneath the waves?"

"It might do so," admitted Fa Fai graciously, "but in order to express
the arisement adequately it would be necessary to display them
twice--first on the bridge with their faces turned towards the west,
and then in the flood with their faces towards the east; and the
superficial might hastily assume that the three on the bridge would
rescue the three in the river."

"You are all-wise," said Wei Chang, with well-marked admiration in his
voice. "This person's suggestion was opaque."

"In any case," continued Fa Fai, with a reassuring glance, "it is a
detail that is not essential to the frustration of Fang's malignant
scheme, for already well on its way towards Hien Nan may be seen a
trustworthy junk, laden with two formidable crates, each one
containing fivescore plates of the justly esteemed Wong Ts'in
porcelain."

"Nevertheless," maintained Wei Chang mildly, "the out-passing of Fang
would have been a satisfactory detail of the occurrence."

"Do not despair," replied Fa Fai. "Not idly is it written: 'Destiny
has four feet, eight hands and sixteen eyes: how then shall the
ill-doer with only two of each hope to escape?' An even more
ignominious end may await Fang, should he escape drowning, for,
conveniently placed by the side of the stream, this person has
introduced a spreading willow-tree. Any of its lower branches is
capable of sustaining Fang's weight, should a reliable rope connect
the two."

"There is something about that which this person now learns is a
willow that distinguishes it above all the other trees of the design,"
remarked Wei Chang admiringly. "It has a wild and yet a romantic
aspect."

"This person had not yet chanced upon a suitable title for the
device," said Fa Fai, "and a distinguishing name is necessary, for
possibly scores of copies may be made before its utility is exhausted.
Your discriminating praise shall be accepted as a fortunate omen, and
henceforth this shall be known as the Willow Pattern Embellishment."

"The honour of suggesting the title is more than this commonplace
person can reasonably carry," protested Wei Chang, feeling that very
little worth considering existed outside the earth-shed. "Not only
scores, but even hundreds of copies may be required in the process of
time, for a crust of rice-bread and handful of dried figs eaten from
such a plate would be more satisfying