"Quite the usual thing, is it?" "Of late. They’re just children." "Are they apt to get any less good-natured?" "Yes, they have suffered much. They do not understand." Romney fingered the pistol. "I feel quite like a boy," he remarked. "There’s a charm about this thing. I never shot one before—without everybody standing well back." Ti Kung’s hand darted over and touched Romney’s appreciatively. *4* It was the end of the promised three days. Romney was dressing for dinner when there was a tap at the inlaid door, and Dr. Ti Kung entered with grave smile and hand outstretched. For just a second he had looked into Romney’s eyes. His manner showed neither relief nor surprise; nor did he offer any comment upon the rallied manhood which he must have observed. Romney had climbed a stiff grade in the three days. They went below for dinner, but it was not until their coffee was served and the catfooted servant was gone, that Dr. Ti Kung appeared to note the patience of his companion. "Doubtless, Mr. Romney," he began, "you have been wondering a good deal why I brought you to my home, and toward what end things were trending here. The time has come for me to enlighten you somewhat." The American lit a pipe he favoured and Dr. Ti Kung drew his chair closer. They were alone. "I saw you laughing there in the Street of the Lepers—or was it the Street of the Ever-lasting Spring?" continued the Chinese. "To me it symbolised the blending of America with my poor country. We are now without veils between us. I was in a most serious mood that morning, anxious with the weight of many affairs. "You sat upon the stone steps with the beggars beside you, laughing. You were in the glow of events—at one with those about you. You used to say back in college, ’To hell with it,’ that most ingenious of many wonderful American remarks. I thought of that. I said to myself, ’Huan Ti Kung, you are heavy; you are long-faced. Why should you bear your burdens with such labour? If you fail, very good. If you win, especially good, but having done the best you can—’To hell with it.’ "So you see, Mr. Romney, you offered me a fine message that morning, and after all I was very fond of you from the beginning. So, here we are. I promise you days of excitement. You have seen from the little episode in front of the Provincial House last night, that all China does not love me. I counted it a good omen that you saved me from a wound. You may have the pleasure again. But supposing you had not, or supposing you were not quite so quick the next time—’To hell with it!’" Romney leaned forward. He knew that the foregoing was simply the Oriental way of introducing a subject of real moment. He felt new inside, mind and will. Dr. Ti Kung continued: