Hearing Yi A Bao say that he had a piece of his Granduncle's calligraphy, the others hurriedly begged him to bring it out for them to see.
"Brother Yi, since you have it, could you let us take a look?" "Yes, A Bao, let me see!"
"How can we know you aren't boasting if you won't show us?"
A Bao frowned.
"It's just a bit of a hassle."
Their curiosity already thoroughly aroused, the others immediately pressed him with repeated pleas.
"What's so troublesome about it?" "A Bao, you're the one who said your Granduncle was so accomplished in calligraphy."
"Exactly! You've whetted our curiosity, and now you won't show us the calligraphy even though you have it. What's that supposed to mean?"
A Bao felt somewhat embarrassed and uneasy. He had spoken too confidently earlier; in truth, it had been several years since he had last seen his Granduncle's writing.
What if my friends see it and think it's nothing special?
It is beautiful, but what if it can't compare to our teacher's? Besides, there's a great blot of ink on it. It's hardly fit to show anyone...
"A Bao, you weren't really boasting, were you? Now you don't dare show us?"
After their repeated pleas, that final provocation made A Bao grit his teeth and nod.
"All right! You can see it! Wait here. I'll go fetch it!"
"Wonderful!" "Hurry back!"
"Just wait!"
A Bao rose as he spoke and opened the study door, then quickly shut it behind him to keep out the cold wind.
The others in the study began discussing it again.
"Do you think Brother Yi was boasting?" "Well, I don't think so. But what does he have to hesitate over?"
"True." "Ah, we'll know soon enough!"
"But have any of you heard of