But next morning I perceived clearly enough that my curiosity regarding the Palace of Green Porcelain was a piece of self-deception, to enable me to shirk, by another day, an experience I dreaded.

• 我承认自己倒吓了一大跳。我决定再划一根火柴，在光亮的保护下逃身。于是 我点亮火柴，为了火光更加充足，还点燃了从口袋里掏出来的一张纸。