歷城殷天官，少貧，有膽略。邑有故家之第，廣數十畝，樓宇連亙。常見怪異，以故廢無居人；久之，蓬蒿漸滿，白晝亦無敢入者。會公與諸生飲，或戲云：「有能寄此一宿者，共醵為筵。」公躍起曰：「是亦何難！」攜一席往。眾送諸門，戲曰：「吾等暫候之，如有所見，當急號。」公笑云：「有鬼狐，當捉證耳。」遂入，見長莎蔽徑，蒿艾如麻。時值上弦，幸月色昏黃，門戶可辨。摩娑數進，始抵後樓。登月臺，光潔可愛，遂止焉。西望月明，惟銜山一線耳。坐良久，更無少異，竊笑傳言之訛。席地枕石，臥看牛女。
歷城的殷天官年輕時家境貧寒，卻很有膽識和謀略。縣裡有一座世家留下的宅院，佔地幾十畝，樓房連成一片。那裡常有怪事發生，因此荒廢了，沒有人居住。日子久了，野草漸漸長滿庭院，連大白天也沒人敢進去。有一次，殷公和幾位讀書人喝酒，有人開玩笑說：「誰要是能在裡面住上一夜，我們就一起出錢，請他吃一頓酒席。」殷公一躍而起，說：「這有什麼難的！」便帶了一張席子前去。眾人送他到門口，打趣說：「我們先在這裡等一會兒，你要是看見了什麼，就趕緊大聲喊。」殷公笑著說：「要是有鬼有狐狸，我就捉一個來給你們作證。」於是走進宅院，只見高高的莎草遮住了小路，蒿草和艾草長得像麻一樣密。當時正是上弦月，幸好還有昏黃的月光，能夠辨認門戶。他摸索著穿過幾重院落，才來到後面的樓房。登上樓前的平臺，見那裡乾淨整潔，十分宜人，便停了下來。向西望去，月亮已落到山邊，只剩一線月光露在山頭。他坐了很久，沒有發生一點怪事，心裡暗笑傳言不實。便在地上鋪好席子，枕著石頭，躺下看牛郎星和織女星。
历城殷天官，少贫，有胆略。邑有故家之第，广数十亩，楼宇连亘。常见怪异，以故废无居人；久之，蓬蒿渐满，白昼亦无敢入者。会公与诸生饮，或戏云：「有能寄此一宿者，共醵为筵。」公跃起曰：「是亦何难！」携一席往。众送诸门，戏曰：「吾等暂候之，如有所见，当急号。」公笑云：「有鬼狐，当捉证耳。」遂入，见长莎蔽径，蒿艾如麻。时值上弦，幸月色昏黄，门户可辨。摩娑数进，始抵后楼。登月台，光洁可爱，遂止焉。西望月明，惟衔山一线耳。坐良久，更无少异，窃笑传言之讹。席地枕石，卧看牛女。
历城的殷天官年轻时家境贫寒，却很有胆识和谋略。县里有一座世家留下的宅院，占地几十亩，楼房连成一片。那里常有怪事发生，因此荒废了，没有人居住。日子久了，野草渐渐长满庭院，连大白天也没人敢进去。有一次，殷公和几位读书人喝酒，有人开玩笑说：“谁要是能在里面住上一夜，我们就一起出钱，请他吃一顿酒席。”殷公一跃而起，说：“这有什么难的！”便带了一张席子前去。众人送他到门口，打趣说：“我们先在这里等一会儿，你要是看见了什么，就赶紧大声喊。”殷公笑着说：“要是有鬼有狐狸，我就捉一个来给你们作证。”于是走进宅院，只见高高的莎草遮住了小路，蒿草和艾草长得像麻一样密。当时正是上弦月，幸好还有昏黄的月光，能够辨认门户。他摸索着穿过几重院落，才来到后面的楼房。登上楼前的平台，见那里干净整洁，十分宜人，便停了下来。向西望去，月亮已落到山边，只剩一线月光露在山头。他坐了很久，没有发生一点怪事，心里暗笑传言不实。便在地上铺好席子，枕着石头，躺下看牛郎星和织女星。
Minister Yin of Licheng was poor in his youth, but bold and resourceful. In his county there stood the mansion of an old family, spreading over dozens of mu, its buildings one after another. Strange things were often seen there, so it had been abandoned and no one lived in it. In time it filled up with weeds, and no one dared go in even in broad daylight. Once, when Yin was drinking with some fellow licentiates, someone said in jest, “If anyone can spend a night in there, we’ll all chip in and stand him a feast.” Yin jumped up. “What’s so hard about that?” He took a mat and went. The others saw him to the gate and said, teasing, “We’ll wait here a while. If you see anything, shout for us at once.” Yin laughed. “If there are ghosts or foxes, I’ll catch one to show you.” He went in. Long sedge hid the paths, and the mugwort grew as thick as hemp. It was the time of the first-quarter moon, and luckily its dim yellow light was enough to make out the doorways. Groping his way through several courtyards, he came at last to the rear tower. He climbed up to the moon terrace, which was clean and pleasant, and stopped there. Looking west, he saw the moon, only a thin rim of it still showing above the hills. He sat a long while, and nothing at all out of the ordinary happened. He laughed to himself at how rumours run wild. He lay down on the ground with a stone for a pillow and watched the Herd Boy and the Weaving Girl.
一更向盡，恍惚欲寐，樓下有履聲，籍籍而上。假寐睨之，見一青衣人，挑蓮燈，猝見公，驚而卻退。語后人曰：「有生人在。」下問：「誰也？」答云：「不識。」俄一老翁上，就公諦視，曰：「此殷尚書，其睡已酣。但辦吾事，相公倜儻，或不叱怪。」乃相率入樓，樓門盡闢。移時，往來者益眾。樓上燈輝如晝。公稍稍轉側，作嚏咳。翁聞公醒，乃出，跪而言曰：「小人有箕帚女，今夜于歸。不意有觸貴人，望勿深罪。」公起，曳之曰：「不知今夕嘉禮，慚無以賀。」翁曰：「貴人光臨，壓除凶煞，幸矣。即煩陪坐，倍益光寵。」公喜，應之。入視樓中，陳設芳麗。遂有婦人出拜，年可四十餘。翁曰：「此拙荊。」公揖之。俄聞笙樂聒耳，有奔而上者，曰：「至矣！」翁趨迎，公亦立俟。少選，籠紗一簇，導新郎入。年可十七八，丰采韶秀。翁命先與貴客為禮。少年目公。公若為儐，執半主禮。次翁婿交拜，已，乃即席。少間，粉黛雲從，酒胾霧霈，玉碗金甌，光映幾案。酒數行，翁喚女奴請小姐來。女奴諾而入，良久不出。翁自起，搴幃促之。俄婢媼數輩擁新人出，環佩璆然，麝蘭散馥。翁命向上拜。起，即坐母側。微目之，翠鳳明璫，容華絕世。既而酌以金爵，大容數斗。公思此物可以持驗同人，陰內袖中。偽醉隱几，頹然而寢。皆曰：「相公醉矣。」居無何，新郎告行，笙樂暴作，紛紛下樓而去。已而主人斂酒具，少一爵，冥搜不得。或竊議臥客；翁急戒勿語，惟恐公聞。移時，內外俱寂，公始起。暗無燈火，惟脂香酒氣，充溢四堵。視東方既白，乃從容出。探袖中，金爵猶在。及門，則諸生先俟，疑其夜出而早入者。公出爵示之。眾駭問，公以狀告。共思此物非寒士所有，乃信之。
一更快結束時，殷公迷迷糊糊地正要睡著，忽然聽見樓下傳來腳步聲，許多人紛紛走了上來。他裝作睡著，眯著眼睛偷看，見一個穿青衣的人挑著蓮花燈，突然看見他，嚇得往後退去，對後面的人說：「這裡有個活人。」樓下有人問：「是誰？」那人回答：「不認識。」不一會兒，一個老翁走上來，湊到殷公身邊仔細端詳，說：「這是殷尚書，已經睡熟了。我們只管辦自己的事，這位相公灑脫大度，也許不會責怪我們。」於是眾人接連進了樓房，把樓門全都打開。過了一會兒，來來往往的人越來越多，樓上燈火通明，亮得如同白晝。殷公輕輕翻了翻身，又打噴嚏，又咳嗽。老翁聽見他醒了，便走出來，跪下說：「小人的女兒今晚出嫁，沒想到驚擾了貴人，還望您不要重重責怪。」殷公起身，拉他起來，說：「不知道今晚有這樁喜事，慚愧沒帶什麼來道賀。」老翁說：「貴人光臨，能鎮住凶煞，實在是我們的福氣。再請您入席作陪，就更給我們增添光彩了。」殷公高興地答應了。進去一看，樓裡的陳設精美華麗。接著，一個約莫四十多歲的婦人出來向他行禮。老翁說：「這是內人。」殷公向她作了一揖。不久，笙樂聲響得震耳，有人奔上樓來，說：「到了！」老翁趕緊前去迎接，殷公也站起來等候。片刻之後，一簇紗燈引著新郎走了進來。新郎約莫十七八歲，風姿俊秀。老翁讓他先向貴客行禮。少年看著殷公，殷公彷彿成了迎賓的儐相，以半個主人的身份向他還了禮。接著，老翁和女婿互相行禮，禮畢，便一同入席。不一會兒，妝容豔麗的女子成群而來，酒肉接連送上，玉碗金盃在桌上交相輝映。喝過幾輪酒，老翁叫一個婢女去請小姐出來。婢女答應著進去了，卻很久沒有出來。老翁便親自起身，掀開簾子催促。很快，幾個婢女和老婦人簇擁著新娘走出來，她身上的佩飾叮噹作響，麝香和蘭花的香氣四處飄散。老翁讓她向上座行禮。她行完禮起身，便坐到母親身旁。殷公偷偷看了她一眼，只見她戴著翠鳳釵和明亮的耳飾，容貌美得世間少有。隨後，有人用金爵給殷公斟酒，那金爵很大，能裝下幾斗酒。殷公心想，這東西可以拿去向朋友們作證，便偷偷藏進袖子裡。他裝作喝醉，倚著桌子，身子一歪，假裝睡著了。眾人都說：「相公醉了。」沒過多久，新郎告辭，笙樂驟然響起，眾人紛紛下樓離去。隨後，主人收拾酒具，發現少了一隻金爵，四處仔細搜尋也找不到。有人悄聲議論，懷疑是躺著的客人拿了；老翁趕緊告誡他們不要說，生怕殷公聽見。過了一會兒，樓裡樓外全都安靜下來，殷公這才起身。四下漆黑，沒有燈火，只有脂粉香和酒氣充滿屋子。看見東方已經發白，他便從容地走出去。伸手摸摸袖子，金爵還在。到了門口，幾位讀書人早已等在那裡，懷疑他夜裡偷偷出來，天快亮時才又進去。殷公拿出金爵給他們看。眾人大吃一驚，追問緣由，殷公便把經過告訴了他們。大家想到這東西絕不是一個窮書生能有的，這才相信了他。
一更向尽，恍惚欲寐，楼下有履声，籍籍而上。假寐睨之，见一青衣人，挑莲灯，猝见公，惊而却退。语后人曰：「有生人在。」下问：「谁也？」答云：「不识。」俄一老翁上，就公谛视，曰：「此殷尚书，其睡已酣。但办吾事，相公倜傥，或不叱怪。」乃相率入楼，楼门尽辟。移时，往来者益众。楼上灯辉如昼。公稍稍转侧，作嚏咳。翁闻公醒，乃出，跪而言曰：「小人有箕帚女，今夜于归。不意有触贵人，望勿深罪。」公起，曳之曰：「不知今夕嘉礼，惭无以贺。」翁曰：「贵人光临，压除凶煞，幸矣。即烦陪坐，倍益光宠。」公喜，应之。入视楼中，陈设芳丽。遂有妇人出拜，年可四十余。翁曰：「此拙荆。」公揖之。俄闻笙乐聒耳，有奔而上者，曰：「至矣！」翁趋迎，公亦立俟。少选，笼纱一簇，导新郎入。年可十七八，丰采韶秀。翁命先与贵客为礼。少年目公。公若为傧，执半主礼。次翁婿交拜，已，乃即席。少间，粉黛云从，酒胾雾霈，玉碗金瓯，光映几案。酒数行，翁唤女奴请小姐来。女奴诺而入，良久不出。翁自起，搴帏促之。俄婢媪数辈拥新人出，环佩璆然，麝兰散馥。翁命向上拜。起，即坐母侧。微目之，翠凤明珰，容华绝世。既而酌以金爵，大容数斗。公思此物可以持验同人，阴内袖中。伪醉隐几，颓然而寝。皆曰：「相公醉矣。」居无何，新郎告行，笙乐暴作，纷纷下楼而去。已而主人敛酒具，少一爵，冥搜不得。或窃议卧客；翁急戒勿语，惟恐公闻。移时，内外俱寂，公始起。暗无灯火，惟脂香酒气，充溢四堵。视东方既白，乃从容出。探袖中，金爵犹在。及门，则诸生先俟，疑其夜出而早入者。公出爵示之。众骇问，公以状告。共思此物非寒士所有，乃信之。
一更快结束时，殷公迷迷糊糊地正要睡着，忽然听见楼下传来脚步声，许多人纷纷走了上来。他装作睡着，眯着眼睛偷看，见一个穿青衣的人挑着莲花灯，突然看见他，吓得往后退去，对后面的人说：“这里有个活人。”楼下有人问：“是谁？”那人回答：“不认识。”不一会儿，一个老翁走上来，凑到殷公身边仔细端详，说：“这是殷尚书，已经睡熟了。我们只管办自己的事，这位相公洒脱大度，也许不会责怪我们。”于是众人接连进了楼房，把楼门全都打开。过了一会儿，来来往往的人越来越多，楼上灯火通明，亮得如同白昼。殷公轻轻翻了翻身，又打喷嚏，又咳嗽。老翁听见他醒了，便走出来，跪下说：“小人的女儿今晚出嫁，没想到惊扰了贵人，还望您不要重重责怪。”殷公起身，拉他起来，说：“不知道今晚有这桩喜事，惭愧没带什么来道贺。”老翁说：“贵人光临，能镇住凶煞，实在是我们的福气。再请您入席作陪，就更给我们增添光彩了。”殷公高兴地答应了。进去一看，楼里的陈设精美华丽。接着，一个约莫四十多岁的妇人出来向他行礼。老翁说：“这是内人。”殷公向她作了一揖。不久，笙乐声响得震耳，有人奔上楼来，说：“到了！”老翁赶紧前去迎接，殷公也站起来等候。片刻之后，一簇纱灯引着新郎走了进来。新郎约莫十七八岁，风姿俊秀。老翁让他先向贵客行礼。少年看着殷公，殷公仿佛成了迎宾的傧相，以半个主人的身份向他还了礼。接着，老翁和女婿互相行礼，礼毕，便一同入席。不一会儿，妆容艳丽的女子成群而来，酒肉接连送上，玉碗金杯在桌上交相辉映。喝过几轮酒，老翁叫一个婢女去请小姐出来。婢女答应着进去了，却很久没有出来。老翁便亲自起身，掀开帘子催促。很快，几个婢女和老妇人簇拥着新娘走出来，她身上的佩饰叮当作响，麝香和兰花的香气四处飘散。老翁让她向上座行礼。她行完礼起身，便坐到母亲身旁。殷公偷偷看了她一眼，只见她戴着翠凤钗和明亮的耳饰，容貌美得世间少有。随后，有人用金爵给殷公斟酒，那金爵很大，能装下几斗酒。殷公心想，这东西可以拿去向朋友们作证，便偷偷藏进袖子里。他装作喝醉，倚着桌子，身子一歪，假装睡着了。众人都说：“相公醉了。”没过多久，新郎告辞，笙乐骤然响起，众人纷纷下楼离去。随后，主人收拾酒具，发现少了一只金爵，四处仔细搜寻也找不到。有人悄声议论，怀疑是躺着的客人拿了；老翁赶紧告诫他们不要说，生怕殷公听见。过了一会儿，楼里楼外全都安静下来，殷公这才起身。四下漆黑，没有灯火，只有脂粉香和酒气充满屋子。看见东方已经发白，他便从容地走出去。伸手摸摸袖子，金爵还在。到了门口，几位读书人早已等在那里，怀疑他夜里偷偷出来，天快亮时才又进去。殷公拿出金爵给他们看。众人大吃一惊，追问缘由，殷公便把经过告诉了他们。大家想到这东西绝不是一个穷书生能有的，这才相信了他。
The first watch was nearly over, and he was drifting off to sleep when he heard footsteps downstairs, many feet coming up. Pretending to sleep, he peeped out and saw a servant in blue carrying a lotus lantern. The servant caught sight of Yin, started and drew back, and said to someone behind, “There is a living man here.” Someone below asked, “Who is it?” “I don’t know him.” In a moment an old man came up, looked Yin over closely and said, “This is Minister Yin. He is fast asleep. Let us just go on with our business. The gentleman has a free spirit; perhaps he won’t take offence.” So they all went into the tower, and its doors were thrown wide open. After a while more and more people were coming and going. Upstairs the lamps blazed as bright as day. Yin turned over a little, and sneezed and coughed. Hearing that he was awake, the old man came out, knelt and said, “This humble person has a daughter, fit only to hold dustpan and broom, who goes to her husband tonight. I never thought we would disturb a noble person, and I hope you will not hold it too much against us.” Yin rose and pulled him to his feet. “I did not know there was a wedding tonight. I am ashamed to have no gift.” “Your presence, noble sir, will ward off every evil influence,” said the old man. “We are fortunate. If you would do us the favour of sitting with the guests, it would double the honour.” Yin was delighted and agreed. He went in and looked: the tower was splendidly furnished. A woman came out and bowed to him; she looked about forty. “This is my wife,” said the old man. Yin bowed to her. Soon the music of reed pipes was deafening, and someone ran up the stairs crying, “He’s here!” The old man hurried out to meet him, and Yin too stood waiting. Before long a cluster of gauze lanterns led in the bridegroom. He was about seventeen or eighteen, handsome and refined. The old man told him first to pay his respects to the noble guest. The young man looked at Yin. Yin acted as though he were the usher, and returned the bow as half the host. Then father-in-law and son-in-law bowed to each other, and after that they took their places at the feast. Before long, powdered and painted maids came thronging like clouds, wine and meat poured out like mist, and jade bowls and gold cups shone on the tables. After several rounds of wine, the old man told a maid to ask the young lady to come out. The maid said yes and went in, but did not come out for a long while. The old man got up himself, lifted the curtain and hurried them. In a moment several maids and old women came out with the bride in their midst, her jade pendants chiming, a scent of musk and orchid drifting from her. The old man told her to bow toward the seats of honour. When she rose, she sat down beside her mother. Yin stole a glance at her: kingfisher phoenix pins and bright earrings, and a beauty beyond any in the world. Then they poured wine for him in a gold goblet, big enough to hold several measures. It occurred to Yin that this would prove his story to his friends, and he slipped it into his sleeve. He pretended to be drunk, slumped over the table and fell asleep. “The gentleman is drunk,” they all said. Before long the groom said he must go. The music burst out, and they all went off down the stairs in a crowd. Then the master of the house gathered up the wine things. One goblet was missing, and though they searched everywhere, they could not find it. Someone whispered that it might be the guest lying there, but the old man quickly told him to hush, for fear Yin would hear. After a while everything inside and out was silent, and Yin got up. It was dark, with no lamps, but the scent of rouge and the smell of wine filled the room. Seeing that the east was growing light, he walked out unhurriedly. He felt in his sleeve: the gold goblet was still there. When he reached the gate, his friends were already waiting, suspecting he had slipped out in the night and gone back in early. Yin took out the goblet and showed it to them. Astonished, they asked about it, and he told them what had happened. Since such a thing was not something a poor scholar could own, they believed him.
後公舉進士，任于肥丘。有世家朱姓宴公，命取巨觥，久之不至。有細奴掩口與主人語，主人有怒色。俄奉金爵勸客飲。諦視之，款式雕文，與狐物更無殊別。大疑，問所從制。答云：「爵凡八隻，大人為京卿時，覓良工監製。此世傳物，什襲已久。緣明府辱臨，適取諸箱簏，僅存其七，疑家人所竊取；而十年塵封如故，殊不可解。」公笑曰：「金杯羽化矣。然世守之珍不可失。僕有一具，頗近似之，當以奉贈。」終筵歸署，揀爵馳送之。主人審視，駭絕。親詣謝公，詰所自來。公乃歷陳顛末。始知千里之物，狐能攝致，而不敢終留也。
後來，殷公考中進士，在肥丘任職。當地有個姓朱的世家設宴招待他，主人吩咐人取大酒杯來，卻等了很久也沒送到。一個小僕人捂著嘴，向主人低聲說了幾句，主人露出怒色。不久，有人捧來金爵，主人勸客人飲酒。殷公仔細一看，那金爵的樣式和雕刻花紋，與狐狸用的那隻毫無區別。他十分疑惑，便問是在哪裡製作的。主人回答：「這金爵一共有八隻，是家父擔任京卿時，找了好工匠，親自督造的。這是我家世代相傳的東西，已經包裹了許多層，珍藏很久了。因為明府光臨，才剛從箱子裡取出來，卻只剩七隻。我懷疑是家裡的人偷拿了，可箱子上積了十年的灰塵絲毫沒動，實在叫人想不明白。」殷公笑著說：「金盃成仙飛走了。不過，家中世代珍藏的寶物不能就這樣丟失。我有一隻，和它很相似，回頭就送給您。」宴席結束後，殷公回到官署，找出那隻金爵，派人趕緊送了過去。主人仔細檢視，驚訝極了，親自前來向殷公道謝，追問金爵的來歷。殷公便把事情從頭到尾詳細講了一遍。這才知道，狐狸能把千里之外的東西搬來，卻不敢永遠留著。
后公举进士，任于肥丘。有世家朱姓宴公，命取巨觥，久之不至。有细奴掩口与主人语，主人有怒色。俄奉金爵劝客饮。谛视之，款式雕文，与狐物更无殊别。大疑，问所从制。答云：「爵凡八只，大人为京卿时，觅良工监制。此世传物，什袭已久。缘明府辱临，适取诸箱簏，仅存其七，疑家人所窃取；而十年尘封如故，殊不可解。」公笑曰：「金杯羽化矣。然世守之珍不可失。仆有一具，颇近似之，当以奉赠。」终筵归署，拣爵驰送之。主人审视，骇绝。亲诣谢公，诘所自来。公乃历陈颠末。始知千里之物，狐能摄致，而不敢终留也。
后来，殷公考中进士，在肥丘任职。当地有个姓朱的世家设宴招待他，主人吩咐人取大酒杯来，却等了很久也没送到。一个小仆人捂着嘴，向主人低声说了几句，主人露出怒色。不久，有人捧来金爵，主人劝客人饮酒。殷公仔细一看，那金爵的样式和雕刻花纹，与狐狸用的那只毫无区别。他十分疑惑，便问是在哪里制作的。主人回答：“这金爵一共有八只，是家父担任京卿时，找了好工匠，亲自督造的。这是我家世代相传的东西，已经包裹了许多层，珍藏很久了。因为明府光临，才刚从箱子里取出来，却只剩七只。我怀疑是家里的人偷拿了，可箱子上积了十年的灰尘丝毫没动，实在叫人想不明白。”殷公笑着说：“金杯成仙飞走了。不过，家中世代珍藏的宝物不能就这样丢失。我有一只，和它很相似，回头就送给您。”宴席结束后，殷公回到官署，找出那只金爵，派人赶紧送了过去。主人仔细查看，惊讶极了，亲自前来向殷公道谢，追问金爵的来历。殷公便把事情从头到尾详细讲了一遍。这才知道，狐狸能把千里之外的东西搬来，却不敢永远留着。
Later Yin passed the jinshi examination and was posted to Feiqiu. An old family named Zhu gave a banquet for him. The host sent for the big goblets, but a long time went by and they did not come. A young servant covered his mouth and whispered to his master, and the master looked angry. Soon a gold goblet was brought, and the host pressed his guest to drink. Yin looked at it closely: in shape and in its engraved pattern it was no different from the foxes’ goblet. Very puzzled, he asked where it had been made. “There were eight of these goblets,” the host replied. “When my father was a minister in the capital, he found a fine craftsman and had them made under his own eye. They are an heirloom, and have long been kept wrapped up layer on layer. Since Your Honour has graced us with a visit, I just had them taken out of the chest, and only seven are left. I suspected the servants of stealing it, but the dust of ten years lay on the chest undisturbed. I cannot understand it at all.” Yin laughed. “Your gold cup has sprouted wings and flown off to the immortals. But a treasure your family has kept for generations should not be lost. I have one very like it, which I shall give you.” When the feast was over he went back to his office, picked out the goblet and sent it over in haste. The host examined it and was astounded. He came in person to thank Yin and asked where it had come from. Yin told him the whole story from beginning to end. So we know that a fox can spirit a thing here from a thousand li away — but does not dare to keep it for good.