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Chapter Twenty-two. Love and Poetry |
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Shankok's character and humour and fancy for girls |
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In spite of all these troubles, Shankok retains his good humour, and I am often astounded how quickly a mood of deep depression can change and how he will once more laugh heartily over some joke. His love for Shikna and his sorrow at losing her do not in any way dim Shankok's appreciation of the charms of other pretty girls, and when we go together to Chingtang for the celebrations of the Ou-ling-bu, when the leafless branches of the high trees are covered with white blossoms, I notice that it is not long before he picks one from the circle of dancers. I find her very pretty too, with a narrow, unusual face, and Shankok praises her smallness, which is considered beautiful among Konyaks. |
