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AT THE BIG GOLD-FISH. 215
" Noble thought, wise teacher ; do you think your
ideas will be officially approved ? "
" I fear not. It is not much encouragement to a
patriot to know that, if he suggest anything novel
that is not accepted, he must commit suicide by
cutting himself open."
This was indeed the general law. All innovation
was stoutly discouraged by a policy that had benumbed
the Japanese intellect and kept the country
in the stupor of unprogressive routine for over two
centuries. Many a Japanese thinker who saw the
weakness and danger besetting his country had first
to write out his opinions and then commit hara-kiri.
Only then, as a rule, were the reforms suggested
attended to.
"Honored teacher," said Ban solemnly, "if your
proposal is rejected, you have to die in thus attempting
to benefit the divine country; then will the
blood of the one who condemns you to death be as
the tea in this tea-cup " at that moment emptying
the vessel and turning
it
upside down.
" Hush !
you know the walls have ears," said
Honda.
" I say it again, Honda Jiro if my honored
teacher must die, there will be two graves instead
of one."
Nor was the threat of the young man an empty
boast born of hasty impulse. Though they were far
from agreeing as to the exact course to pursue, the
four samurai here gathered together were at heart
one in intense love of country, even though the