Pages 65-83 Summary

The section beginning in page 65 finds the brothers in the custody of a magistrate who is suspicious of Chen because he is dressed as a scholar. He explains to the boys that charlatans are roaming the countryside dressed as scholars duping peasants out of their money. He does not believe the protests of Hong that his brother is a true scholar and declares the boys will be detained and whipped publicly the following day. Chen rummages through his bedroll where he has stowed his diploma to prove he is a scholar, but is unable to find it. The magistrate warns them against trying to fool him, as he was once a scholar himself.

Hong is dismayed that Chen cannot find his diploma, but invites the magistrate to quiz Chen on classic Chinese literature. The magistrate takes up the offer and calls...