"Venerable Sir!" murmured Ah Q, seeming to smile and yet not smiling, as he stood under the eaves.
"Ah Q, we've heard that you've made a fortune yonder," began the Venerable Mr. Chao, walking out and eying the newcomer from head to foot. "Very fine, indeed, very fine. This . . . We have heard that you have some old goods . . . We should like you to bring them to show us . . . There is no other reason for this request excepting we want . . ."
"I have already told Tsou Ch'i-sao that all has been sold."
"Sold out?" The Venerable Mr. Chao's voice dropped unconsciously in disappointment as he went on, "How could your goods have been sold out so quickly?"
"The things, which belonged to my friend, were not many in the first place. Others have purchased more or less and . . ."
"But even so, there should be something left."
"At present there is a door curtain left."
"Then, bring along the door curtain," muttered Mrs. Chao in her confusion.
"It will do to bring it to-morrow," the Venerable Mr. Chao weakly insisted. "Hereafter, Ah Q, should you ever have anything whatsoever, you may bring it to show us first . . ."
