"It is very difficult to be polite in Chinese," said the Sinologue solemnly. That seemed final. But she asked another Sinologue. "No, I should not say Man man tso. Not Man man tso," said he dreamily. "Not to a teacher—who comes every day."
"But what do you say?" asked she in desperation.
"Well, it is very polite to say Shao pei—I don't go to the door with you, you know; I only go a few steps with you. That is the polite thing to say after a call from a mandarin."
"But surely it would be polite to go to the door?"
"Oh yes—in China it would."
"Well, I think anywhere it would be polite."
"Yes, but not—not from a lady. It would not be expected."
"A—h! yes! then I can say Shao pei." However, she did not feel quite satisfied, and she watched her opportunity.
Next time she heard a Sinologue converse with a Chinaman, she listened to hear what he would say in parting. Alas! it was not Man man tso, it was not Shao pei.
"What was that you said to him in taking leave?"