Chapter 2—Pages 161-184 Summary

In six years in America, Sheng does not leave the city in which he lives. He tells Yuan he would rather know a lot about one place than little about many. The two exchange letters, and Yuan spends his summers with Sheng in the city. Sheng also advises Yuan he lives alone too much for his own good, and points out the people of their homeland worship books and those who study them, but this country is different. Instead of books and knowledge, Sheng plans to take advantage of the pleasures and advantages of living in America. Yuan tells him that is selfish. Sheng asks, "Who is not selfish? We are all selfish. Meng is selfish in his very cause. That cause! Look at its leaders, Yuan, and dare to say they are not selfish—one...