." "Pray proceed," said I.
"I wished to ask you," said the old man, "how you knew that the characters on yon piece of crockery were Chinese; or, indeed, that there was such a language ?" "I knew the crockery was china," said I, "and naturally enough supposed what was written upon it to be Chinese; as for there being such a language--the English have a language, the French have a language, and why not the Chinese ?" "May I ask you a question ?" "As many as you like." "Do you know any language besides English ?" "Yes," said I, "I know a little of two or three." "May I ask their names ?" "Why not ?" said I.

"I know a little French." "Anything else ?" "Yes, a little Welsh, and a little Haik." "What is Haik ?" "Armenian." "I am glad to see you in my house," said the old man, shaking me by the hand; "how singular that one coming as you did should know Armenian!" "Not more singular," said I, "than that one living in such a place as this should know Chinese.

How came you to acquire it ?" The old man looked at me, and sighed.

"I beg pardon," said I, "for asking what is, perhaps, an impertinent question; I have not imitated your own delicacy; you have never asked me a question without first desiring permission, and here I have been days and nights in your house an intruder on your hospitality, and you have never so much as asked me who I am." "In forbearing to do that," said the old man, "I merely obeyed the Chinese precept, 'Ask no questions of a guest;' it is written on both sides of the teapot out of which you have had your tea." "I wish I knew Chinese," said I.

"Is it a difficult language to acquire ?" "I have reason to think so," said the old man.