enthusiasm. Naturally I did not want him to doubt the authenticity of his picture, yet it was clear that my words of praise failed to satisfy him. Just then Yen-k’o himself was announced—he who had first spoken to me of this Painting of an Autumn Mountain. As the old man bowed to Mr Wang, I could sense the excitement inside him, but no sooner had his eyes settled on the scroll than a cloud seemed to pass before his face.
“ ‘What do you think of it. Master?’ asked Mr Wang, who had been carefully observing him. ‘We have just heard the teacher Wang Shih-ku’s enthusiastic praise, but…’
“ ‘Oh, you are, sir, a very fortunate man to have acquired this painting,’ answered Yen-k’o promptly. ‘Its presence in your house will add lustre to all your other treasures.’
“Yen-k’o’s courteous words only seemed to deepen Mr Wang’s anxiety; he, like I, must have heard in them a note of insincerity. I think we were all a bit relieved when Lien-Chou, the famous critic, made his appearance at this juncture. After bowing to us, he turned to the scroll and stood looking at it silently, chewing his long moustaches.
“ ‘This, apparently, is the same painting that the master Yen-k’o last saw half a century ago,’ Mr Wang explained to him. ‘Now I would much like to hear your opinion of the work. Your candid opinion,’ Mr Wang added, forcing a smile.
“Lien-Chou sighed and continued to look at the picture. Then he took a deep breath and, turning to Mr Wang, said, ‘This, sir, is probably Ta Ch’ih’s greatest work. Just see how the artist has shaded those clouds. What power there was in his brush! Note also the colour of his trees. And then that distant peak which brings the whole composition to life.’ As he spoke, Lien-Chou pointed to various outstanding features of the painting, and needless to say, a look of relief, then of delight, spread over Mr Wang’s face.
“Meanwhile I secretly exchanged glances with Yen-k’o. ‘Master,’ I whispered, ‘is that the real Autumn Mountain?’ Almost imperceptibly the old man shook his head and there was a twinkle in his eyes.
