LIKE THE MANDARINS of old, the rulers of China live behind high walls. When they emerge, which they rarely do, they travel in cars with rear windows curtained like sedan chairs.
They live in the Chung Nan Hai, a walled park adjacent to the Forbidden City from where ancient dynasties ruled the Celestial Empire.
The wall surrounding the Chung Nan Hai is high and wide, painted vermilion in keeping with the decor of the Forbidden City. It has a circumference of many miles, intersected at intervals by gates guarded day and night by armed soldiers.
Weel, then — I am not free to say, that maybe I might not just slip into the King's hand a wee bit sifflication of mine ain, along with my Lord's, just to save his Majesty trouble — and that he might consider them baith at ance.
A supplication of your own, you varlet! said his master.
Ou dear, ay, my Lord, said Richie — puir bodies hae their bits of sifflications as weel as their betters.
These sad fancyings – chimeras, doubtless, of a sick and silly brain – led on the other and more special thoughts, concerning the eccentricities of Bartleby.
He would also have been exposed to the coughings and shufflings, comings and goings, questions and answers, wailings and slammings, snivellings and sneezings, etc., which figured so prominently in the reference room […]
