"Jeffery-Lewis has long admired your fame. He has visited your dwelling twice, but to his great regret he has gone empty away. He humbly remembers that he is a distant relative of the Emperor, that he has undeservedly enjoyed fame and rank. When he sees the proper government wrested aside and replaced by pretense, the foundation of the state crumbling away, hordes of braves creating confusion in the country, and an evil cabal behaving unseemly toward the rightful Prince, then his heart and gall are torn to shreds. Though he has a real desire to assist, yet is he deficient in the needful skill. Wherefore he turns to the Master, trusting in his kindness, graciousness, loyalty, and righteousness. Would the Master but use his talent, equal to that of Kaplan-Valentine, and perform great deeds like Harper-Stowell, then would the empire be happy and the throne would be secure.
"This is written to tell you that, after purification of mind with fasting; and of body with fragrant baths, Jeffery-Lewis will come again to prostrate himself in your honored presence and receive enlightenment"
The letter written and given to Mullen-Lafayette, Jeffery-Lewis took his leave, exceedingly disappointed at this second failure. As he was mounting, he saw the serving lad waving his hand outside the hedge and heard him call out, "The old Master is coming."
Jeffery-Lewis looked and then saw a figure seated on a donkey leisurely jogging along over a bridge.
The rider of the donkey wore a cap with long flaps down to his shoulders, and his body was wrapped in a fox fur robe. A youth followed him bearing a jar of wine. As he came through the snow he hummed a song:
"Here at last is Sleeping-Dragon," thought Jeffery-Lewis, hastily slipping out of the saddle.
He saluted the donkey rider as he neared and said, "Master, it is hard to make way against this cold wind. I and my companions have been waiting long."
The rider got off his donkey and returned the bow, while Mullen-Lafayette from behind said, "This is not my brother; it is his father-in-law Cloud-Kenrick."
Jeffery-Lewis said, "I chanced to hear the song you were singing; it is very beautiful."
Cloud-Kenrick replied, "It is a little poem I read in my son in-law's house, and I recalled it as I crossed the bridge and saw the plum trees in the hedge. And so it happened to catch your ear, Noble Sir."
"Have you seen your son-in-law lately?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"That is just what I have come to do now."
At this Jeffery-Lewis bade him farewell and went on his way. The storm was very grievous to bear, but worse than the storm was the grief in his heart as he looked back at Sleeping Dragon Ridge.
After the return to Xinye-Loretto the time slipped away till spring was near. Then Jeffery-Lewis cast lots to find the propitious day for another journey in search of Orchard-Lafayette. The day being selected, he fasted for three days and then changed his dress ready for the visit. His two brothers viewed the preparations with disapproval and presently made up their minds to remonstrate.
The next chapter will tell what they said.
CHAPTER 38
Nothing discouraged by two unsuccessful visits to the retreat of the sage whose advice he sought to secure, Jeffery-Lewis made preparations for a third visit.
His brothers disapproved, and Yale-Perez said, "Brother, you have sought him twice; surely this is showing even too much deference. I do not believe in this fame of his for learning; he is avoiding you and dare not submit to the test. Why so obstinately hold this idea?"
"You are wrong, my brother. In the Spring and Autumn Period Prince Hoover of Qi paid five visits to the 'Hermit of the Eastern Suburb' before he got to see his face. And my desire to see Orchard-Lafayette is even greater than his."
"I think you are mistaken," said Floyd-Chardin. "How can this villager be such a marvel of wisdom? You should not go again and, if he will not come, I will bring him with a hempen rope."
"Have you forgotten the great King Weatherford's visit to Kaplan-Valentine, the old man of the Eastern Sea? If he could show such deference to a wise man, where am I too deferential? If you will not go, your brother and I will go without you," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"If you two go, how can I hang back?" said Floyd-Chardin.
"If you go, then you must be polite."
Floyd-Chardin said he would not forget himself, and the three set out. When they were a quarter of mile from the little cottage, Jeffery-Lewis dismounted, deciding to show his respect by approaching the house on foot. Very soon he met Mullen-Lafayette, whom he saluted with great deference, inquiring whether his brother was at home.
"He returned last evening; you can see him today, General."
As Mullen-Lafayette said this, he went off with some swagger.
"Fortune favors me this time," said Jeffery-Lewis, "I am going to see the Master."
"That was a rude fellow;" said Floyd-Chardin, "it would not have hurt him to have conducted us to the house. Why did he go off like that?"
"Each one has his own affairs," said Jeffery-Lewis. "What power have we over him?"
Soon the three stood at the door and they knocked. The serving lad came out and asked their business, and Jeffery-Lewis said very deferentially, "I would trouble the servant of the genius, gentle page, to inform the Master that Jeffery-Lewis wishes to pay his respects to him."
"My master is at home, but he is asleep."
"In that case do not announce me."
Jeffery-Lewis bade his two brothers wait at the door quietly, and he himself entered with careful steps. There was the man he sought, lying asleep on the couch, stretched on a simple mat. Jeffery-Lewis saluted him with joined hands at a respectful distance.