"And the prices we will offer will in nowise be lower than those others would give," added the Hsiu-t'sai. The wife of the Hsiu-t'sai glanced anxiously at Ah Q's cheek to see whether he would be influenced or not.
"I need a fur vest," murmured Mrs. Chao plaintively.
Although Ah Q promised to do what he could for them, he walked out lazily and indifferently and it could not be ascertained whether he had taken the matter seriously or not. This caused the Venerable Mr. Chao to lose all hope; and so intense was his chagrin and anger that they put a stop to his yawning. So highly displeased was the Hsiu-t'sai with Ah Q's attitude toward them that he accordingly said, "We should take protective measures against that bad egg of a dark turtle; perhaps there is nothing so good as to tell the ti-pao not to permit him to live in Weichuang." But the Venerable Mr. Chao did not agree with him, explaining that he feared such action might make an enemy; furthermore, that one who was "in the business" most likely would not steal in his native haunts, just as the eagle does not eat the things in its own nest, that the village need not worry, and that a little watchfulness and precaution at night would be all that was necessary. Having listened to his father's advice, the Hsiu-t'sai fell into hearty
