Our watering-pot is spoilt, so go to Miss Lin's over there and find one for us to use.


Chin Ch'uan! you're in the way of the rays of the lamp.


Keep quiet a bit! what's the use of making people dislike you?


I know myself how matters stand, so don't you try and befool me! Now that you are on intimate terms with Pao-yü, you don't pay much heed to me. I've also seen through it myself.


You heartless fellow! You're like the dog, that bit Lü T'ung-pin. You have no idea of what's right and what's wrong!


My child, you've again had too much to drink; your face is scalding hot, and if you still keep on rubbing and scraping it, why, you'll by and bye stir up the fumes of wine! Don't you yet go and lie down quietly over there for a little!


My dear girl! do also heed me a little;


If you go on in this way. I'll shout out at once.


Ai ya!


Master Tertius, are you still such a trickster! I'll tell you what, you'll never turn to any good account! Yet dame Chao should ever correct and admonish him.


You bring up, such a black-hearted offspring like this, and don't you, after all, advise and reprove him? Time and again I paid no notice whatever to what happened, and you and he have become more audacious, and have gone from worse to worse!


It's rather sore, but it's nothing to speak of. Tomorrow when my old grandmother asks about it, I can simply explain that I scalded it myself; that will be quite enough to tell her.


If you say that you scalded it yourself, why, she'll also call people to task for not looking out; and a fit of rage will, beyond doubt, be the outcome of it all.


whether it was very painful?


It isn't very sore, if I look after it for a day or two, it will get all right.


I can guarantee that he'll get all right, for this is simply a sadden and fleeting accident! Venerable ancestor. Venerable Buddha! how could you ever be aware of the existence of the portentous passage in that Buddhistic classic, 'to the effect that a son of every person, who holds the dignity of prince, duke or high functionary, has no sooner come into the world and reached a certain age than numerous evil spirits at once secretly haunt him, and pinch him, when they find an opportunity; or dig their nails into him; or knock his bowl of rice down, during, meal-time; or give him a shove and send him over, while he is quietly seated.' So this is the reason why the majority of the sons and grandsons of those distinguished families do not grow up to attain manhood.


Is there any Buddhistic spell, by means of which to check their influence or not?


This is an easy job! all one need do is to perform several meritorious deeds on his account so as to counteract the consequences of retribution and everything will then be put right. That canon further explains: 'that in the western part of the world there is a mighty Buddha, whose glory illumines all things, and whose special charge is to cast his lustre on the evil spirits in dark places; that if any benevolent man or virtuous woman offers him oblations with sincerity of heart, he is able to so successfully perpetuate the peace and quiet of their sons and grandsons that these will no more meet with any calamities arising from being possessed by malevolent demons.'


But what, I wonder, could be offered to this god?


Nothing of any great value. Exclusive of offerings of scented candles, several catties of scented oil can be added, each day, to keep the lantern of the Great Sea alight. This 'Great Sea' lantern is the visible embodiment and Buddhistic representation of this divinity, so day and night we don't venture to let it go out!


For a whole day and a whole night, how much oil is needed, so that I too should accomplish a good action?


There is really no limit as to quantity. It rests upon the goodwill of the donor. In my quarters, for instance, I have several lanterns, the gifts of the consorts of princes and the spouses of high officials living in various localities. The consort of the mansion of the Prince of Nan Au has been prompted in her beneficence by a liberal spirit; she allows each day forty-eight catties of oil, and a catty of wick; so that her 'Great Sea' lamp is only a trifle smaller than a water-jar. The spouse of the marquis of Chin Hsiang comes next, with no more than twenty catties a day. Besides these, there are several other families; some giving ten catties; some eight catties; some three; some five; subject to no fixed rule; and of course I feel bound to keep the lanterns alight on their behalf. There's still another thing. If it be on account of father or mother or seniors, any excessive donation would not matter. But were you, venerable ancestor, to bestow too much in your offering for Pao-yü, our young master won't, I fear, be equal to the gift; and instead of being benefited, his happiness will be snapped. If you therefore want to make a liberal gift seven catties will do; if a small one, then five catties will even be sufficient.


Well, in that case, let us fix upon five catties a day, and every month come and receive payment of the whole lump sum!


O-mi-to-fu! Oh merciful, and mighty P'u Sa!


It just happens, that I have no facings for shoes, so my lady do give me a few odd cuttings of silk and satin, of no matter what colour, to make myself a pair of shoes with.


Look, whether there be still among them any pieces good for anything. But anything that's worth anything doesn't find its way in here. If you don't despise what's worthless, you're at liberty to select any two pieces and to take them away, and have done. The other day. I sent a servant over with five hundred cash; have you presented any offerings before the god of medicine or not?


I've offered them long ago for you,


O-mi-to-fu! were I a little better off, I'd also come often and offer gifts; but though my will be boundless, my means are insufficient!


Don't trouble your mind on this score. By and bye, when Mr. Huan has grown up into a man and obtained some official post or other, will there be then any fear of your not being able to afford such offerings as you might like to make?


Enough, enough! Don't again refer to such contingencies! the present is a fair criterion. For up to whom in this house can my son and I come? Pao-yü is still a mere child; but he is such that he wins people's love. Those big people may be partial to him, and love him a good deal, I've nothing to say to it; but I can't eat humble pie to this sort of mistress!


It's your lady Secunda, Lien, eh?


Dreadful! Dreadful! But speaking of this sort of mistress, I'm not so much as a human being, if she doesn't manage to shift over into her mother's home the whole of this family estate.


Need you tell me this! Haven't I, forsooth, discovered it all for myself? Yet it's fortunate that you don't trouble your minds about her; for it's far better that you should let her have her own way.


My dear woman. Not let her have her own way! why, is it likely that any one would have the courage to tell her anything?


I don't mean to utter any words that may bring upon me retribution, but you people haven't got the wits. But it's no matter of surprise. Yet if you daren't openly do anything, why, you could stealthily have devised some plan. And do you still tarry up to this day?


What plan could I stealthily devise? I've got the will right enough, but I'm not a person gifted with this sort of gumption. So were you to impart to me some way or other, I would reward you most liberally.


O-mi-to-fu! desist at once from asking me! How can I know anything about such matters, contrary as they are to what is right?


There you are again! You're one ever most ready to succour those in distress, and to help those in danger, and is it likely that you'll quietly look on, while some one comes and compasses my death as well as that of my son? Are you, pray, fearful lest I shouldn't give you any reward?


You're right enough in what you say, of my being unable to bear the sight of yourself and son receiving insult from a third party; but as for your mention of rewards, why, what's there of yours that I still covet?


How is it, that an intelligent person like you should have become so dense? If, indeed, the spell prove efficacious, and we exterminate them both, is there any apprehension that this family estate won't be ours? and when that time comes, won't you get all you may wish?


When everything, shall have been settled satisfactorily, and when there'll be, what's more, no proof at all, will you still pay any heed to me?


What's there hard about this? I've saved several taels from my own pin-money, and have besides a good number of clothes and head-ornaments. So you can first take several of these away with you. And I'll further write an I.O.U., and entrust it to you, and when that time does come, I'll pay you in full.


That will do!


Take these, in advance for presents in your temple.


When I get home. I'll have recourse to some art, which will, beyond doubt, prove efficacious.


What! my dame, are you in here! Why, our lady is waiting for you!


Now, are not these two more!


We are a full company to-day, but who has issued the cards and invited us here?


The other day. I sent servants with a present of two caddies of tea for you, Miss Lin; was it, after all, good?


I had just forgotten all about it, many thanks for your kind attention!


I tasted it. I did not think it anything good. But I don't know how others, who've had any of it, find it.


Its flavour, is good; the only thing is, it has no colour.


It's tribute tea from the Laos Kingdom. When I tried it, I didn't either find it anything very fine. It's not up to what we ordinarily drink.


To my taste, it's all right. But what your palates are like, I can't make out.


As you say it's good, you're quite at liberty to take all I have for your use.


I've got a great deal more of it over there,


I'll tell a servant-girl to go and fetch it,


No need. I'll send it over with some one. I also have a favour to ask of you to-morrow, so I may as well tell the servant to bring it along at the same time.


You just mark this. I've had to-day a little tea from her place, and she at once begins making a tool of me!


Since you've had some of our tea, how is it that you have not yet become a wife in our household?


Our sister-in-law Secunda's jibes are first-rate!


What jibes! they're purely and simply the prattle of a mean mouth and vile tongue! They're enough to evoke people's displeasure!


Were you, to become a wife in my family, what is there that you would lack? Look here! Is not this human being worthy of you? Is not his station in life good enough for you? Are not our stock and estate sufficient for you? and in what slight degree can he make you lose caste?


Here's P'in Erh in a huff! Don't you yet come back? when you've gone, there will really be no fun!


Your maternal uncle's wife has come, and she requests you, ladies and young ladies, to come out and see her.


As for me, I can't go out. But whatever you do, pray, don't ask aunt to come in here. Cousin Lin, do stay on a while; I've got something to tell you.


There's some one, who wants to speak to you.


Ai-ya! How my head is sore!


It should be! O-mi-to-fu.


My son. My flesh,


The destiny, of our son and daughter is entirely dependent upon the will of Heaven, and no human strength can prevail. The malady of these two persons would not be healed, even were every kind of treatment tried, and as I feel confident that it is the design of heaven that things should be as they are, all we can do is to allow it to carry out its purpose.


From this day forward. I may no longer abide in your house, so you had better send me off at once!


You shouldn't, venerable lady, indulge in excessive grief. This young man has been long ago of no good; so wouldn't it be as well to dress him up and let him go back a moment sooner from this world. You'll also be thus sparing him considerable suffering. But, if you persist, in not reconciling yourself to the separation and this breath of his is not cut off, he will lie there and suffer without any respite….


You rotten-tongued, good-for-nothing hag! What makes you fancy him of no good! You wish him dead and gone; but what benefit will you then derive? Don't give way to any dreams; for, if he does die, I'll just exact your lives from you! It's all because you've been continuously at him, inciting and urging him to read and write, that his spirit has become so intimidated that, at the sight of his father, he behaves just like a rat trying to get out of the way of a cat! And is not all this the result of the bullying of such a mean herd of women as yourselves! Could you now drive him to death, your wishes would immediately be fulfilled; but which of you will I let off?


Who is it, who gave orders to make the coffins? Bring at once the coffin-makers and beat them to death!


Ave! Buddha able to unravel retribution and dispel grievances! Should any human being lie in sickness, and his family be solicitous on his account; or should any one have met with evil spirits and come across any baleful evils, we have the means to effect a cure.


On what hill, do you cultivate the principles of reason?


Worthy official! you must not ask too many questions! It's because we've learnt that there are inmates of your honourable mansion in a poor state of health that we come with the express design of working a cure.


There are, two of our members, who have been possessed of evil spirits. But, is there, I wonder, any remedy by means of which they could he healed?


In your family, you have ready at hand a precious thing, the like of which is rare to find in the world. It possesses the virtue of alleviating the ailment, so why need you inquire about remedies?


It's true, that my son brought along with him, at the time of his birth, a piece of jade, on the surface of which was inscribed that it had the virtue of dispelling evil influences, but we haven't seen any efficacy in it.


There is, worthy officer, something in it which you do not understand. That precious jade was, in its primitive state, efficacious, but consequent upon its having been polluted by music, lewdness, property and gain it has lost its spiritual properties. But produce now that valuable thing and wait till I have taken it into my hands and pronounced incantations over it, when it will become as full of efficacy as of old!


Since our parting, at the foot of the Ch'ing Keng peak, about thirteen years have elapsed. How time flies in the mortal world! Thine earthly destiny has not yet been determined. Alas, alas! how admirable were the qualities thou did'st possess in those days! By Heaven unrestrained, without constraint from Earth, No joys lived in thy heart, but sorrows none as well; Yet when perception, through refinement, thou did'st reach, Thou went'st among mankind to trouble to give rise. How sad the lot which thou of late hast had to hear! Powder prints and rouge stains thy precious lustre dim. House bars both day and night encage thee like a duck. Deep wilt thou sleep, but from thy dream at length thou'lt wake, Thy debt of vengeance, once discharged, thou wilt depart. This object, has already resumed its efficacy; but you shouldn't do anything to desecrate it. Hang it on the post of the door in his bed-room, and with the exception of his own relatives, you must not let any outside female pollute it. After the expiry of thirty-three days, he will, I can guarantee, be all right.


Sister Pao, what are you laughing for?


I laugh, because the 'Thus-Come' Joss has more to do than any human being. He's got to see to the conversion of all mankind, and to take care of the ailments, to which all flesh is heir; for he restores every one of them at once to health; and he has as well to control people's marriages so as to bring them about through his aid; and what do you say, has he ample to do or not? Now, isn't this enough to make one laugh, eh?


Ts'ui! none of you are good people. Instead of following the example of worthy persons, you try to rival the mean mouth of that hussey Feng.


Sister, are you in the room or not?


Yes, I am; come in!


How lucky I've been! I was a little time back in the court washing a few things, when Pao-yü cried out that some tea should be sent over to Miss Lin, and sister Hua handed it to me to go on the errand. By a strange coincidence our old lady had presented some money to Miss Lin and she was engaged at the moment in distributing it among their servant-girls. As soon therefore as she saw me get there, Miss Lin forthwith grasped two handfuls of cash and gave them to me; how many there are I don't know, but do keep them for me! How are you, after all, feeling of late in your mind? I'll tell you what; you should really go and stay at home for a couple of days. And were you to ask a doctor round and to have a few doses of medicine you'll get all right at once!


What are you talking about? What shall I go home for, when there's neither rhyme nor reason for it!


Miss Lin, I remember, is naturally of a weak physique, and has constantly to take medicines, so were you to ask her for some and bring them over and take them, it would come to the same thing.


Nonsense! are medicines also to be recklessly taken ?


You can't so on for ever like this, you're besides loth to eat and loth to drink, and what will you be like in the long run?


What's there to fear? won't it anyhow be better to die a little earlier? It would be a riddance!


Why do you deliberately come out with all this talk?


How could you ever know anything of the secrets of my heart?


I don't think it strange on your part, for it is really difficult to abide in this place! Yesterday, for instance, our dowager lady remarked that the servants in attendance had had, during all the days that Pao-yü was ill, a good deal to put up with, and that now that he has recovered, incense should be burnt everywhere, and the vows fulfilled; and she expressed a wish that those in his service should, one and all, be rewarded according to their grade. I and several others can be safely looked upon as young in years, and unworthy to presume so high; so I don't feel in any way aggrieved; but how is it that one like you couldn't be included in the number? My heart is much annoyed at it! Had there been any fear that Hsi Jen would have got ten times more, I could not even then have felt sore against her, for she really deserves it! I'll just tell you an honest truth; who else is there like her? Not to speak of the diligence and carefulness she has displayed all along, even had she not been so diligent and careful, she couldn't have been set aside! But what is provoking is that that lot, like Ch'ing Wen and Ch'i Hsia, should have been included in the upper class. Yet it's because every one places such reliance on the fine reputation of their father and mother that they exalt them. Now, do tell me, is this sufficient to anger one or not?


It won't do to be angry with them! You may erect a shed a thousand li long, but there is no entertainment from which the guests will not disperse! And who is it that will tarry here for a whole lifetime? In another three years or five years every single one of us will have gone her own way; and who will, when that time comes, worry her mind about any one else?


What you say is true. And yet, Pao-yü even yesterday explained how the rooms should be arranged by and bye; and how the clothes should be made, just as if he was bound to hang on to dear life for several hundreds of years.


You are asked,


to trace these two designs!


Whose are they, after all? Couldn't you wait even so much as to conclude what you had to say, but flew off at once? Who is steaming bread and waiting for you? Or are you afraid, forsooth, lest it should get cold?


They belong to sister Ch'i,


Where did I, put that brand-new pencil the other day? How is it I can't remember where it is? Of course! the other evening Ying Erh took it away. Fetch it for me,


Sister Hua, is waiting for me to get a box for her, so you had better go for it yourself!


What! she's waiting for you, and are you still squatting here chatting leisurely? Hadn't it been that I asked you to go and fetch it, she too wouldn't have been waiting for you; you most perverse vixen! Nurse Li, where are you, old dame, bound for? How is it you're coming this way?


Tell me, has he deliberately again gone and fallen in love with that Mr. something or other like Yun (cloud), or Yü (rain)? They now insist upon my bringing him inside, but if they get wind of it by and bye in the upper rooms, it won't again be a nice thing.


Are you, old lady, taking things in such real earnest that you readily believe them and want to go and ask him in here?


What can I do?


Why, that fellow, will, if he has any idea of decency, do the right thing and not come.


Besides, he's not a fool! so why shouldn't he come in?


Well, if he is to come, it will devolve upon you, worthy dame, to lead him along with you; for were you by and bye to let him penetrate inside all alone and knock recklessly about, why, it won't do at all.


Have I got all that leisure, to trudge along with him? I'll simply tell him to come; and later on I can despatch a young servant-girl or some old woman to bring him in, and have done.


Sister Hung, what are you doing in here?


Where are you off too?


I've been told to bring in master Secundus, Mr. Yün,


I thought it strange, that it should be called the I Hung court; but are these, in fact, the four characters inscribed on the tablet! Come in at once! How is it that I've forgotten you these two or three months?


Master Secundus, please take a seat in the inner room.


Ever since the moon in which I came across you, and told you to come into the library, I've had, who would have thought it, endless things to continuously attend to, so that I forgot all about you.


It's I, indeed, who lacked good fortune! particularly so, as it again happened that you, uncle, fell ill. But are you quite right once more?


All right! I heard that you've been put to much trouble and inconvenience on a good number of days!


Had I even had any trouble to bear, it would have been my duty to bear it. But your complete recovery, uncle, is really a blessing to our whole family.


Sister, how is it that you are pouring tea for me? I came here to pay uncle a visit; what's more I'm no stranger, so let me pour it with my own hands!


Just you sit down and finish! will you also behave in this fashion with servant-girls?


In spite of what you say; they are young ladies attached to your rooms, uncle, and how could I presume to be disorderly in my conduct?


To-morrow, if you have nothing to do, do come over!


Of what standing are your father and mother? How many years have you been in uncle Pao's apartments? How much money do you get a month? In all how many girls are there in uncle Pao's rooms? The one, who was a while back talking to you, is called Hsiao Hung, isn't she?


Yes, her name is Hsiao Hung! but why do you ask about her?


She inquired of you just now about some handkerchief or other, well, I've picked one up.


Many are the times, that she has asked me whether I had seen her handkerchief; but have I got all that leisure to worry my mind about such things? She spoke to me about it again to-day; and she suggested that I should find it for her, and that she would also recompense me. This she told me when we were just now at the entrance of the Heng Wu court, and you too, Mr. Secundus, overheard her, so that I'm not lying. But, dear Mr. Secundus, since you've picked it up, give it to me. Do! And I'll see what she will give me as a reward.


As for giving it to you, I'll do so; but in the event of your obtaining any present from her, you mustn't impose upon me.


What are you about to go to sleep again. Would it not do your languid spirits good if you went out for a bit of a stroll?


I would like to go out, but I can't reconcile myself to the separation from you!


Get up at once!


Where can I go? I'm quite surfeited with everything.


Once out you'll be all right, but if you simply give way to this languor, you'll be more than ever sick of everything at heart.


Uncle Secundus, are you at home? I imagined you had gone out of doors!


You are up to mischief again, eh? They've done nothing to you, and why shoot at them with your arrows?


I had no studies to attend to just now, so, being free with nothing to do. I was practising riding and archery.


Shut up! When are you not engaged in practising?


Day after day my feelings slumber drowsily!


Why is it, that your feelings day after day slumber drowsily?


Is Miss asleep?


If so, we'll ask her over, when she wakes up.


Who's asleep?


We thought you were fast asleep, Miss. Your young mistress, has awoke; come in and wait on her!


When people are asleep, what do you walk in for?


What were you saying a short while back?


I wasn't saying anything,


What a lie you're trying to ram down my throat! I heard all. Tzu Chüan! pour me a cup of your good tea!


Where's the good tea to be had? If you want good tea, you'd better wait till Hsi Jen comes.


Don't heed him! Just go first and draw me some water.


He's a visitor, and, of course, I should first pour him a cup of tea, and then go and draw the water.


My dear girl. If I could only share the same bridal curtain with your lovable young mistress, would I ever be able (to treat you as a servant) by making you fold the covers and make the beds.


What are you saying?


What, did I say anything?


You've recently, got into a new way. Whatever slang you happen to hear outside you come and tell me. And whenever you read any improper book, you poke your fun at me. What! have I become a laughing-stock for gentlemen!


My dear cousin. I do deserve death; but don't go and tell any one! If again I venture to utter such kind of language, may blisters grow on my mouth and may my tongue waste away!


Go back at once, and put on your clothes as master wants to see you.


Do you perchance know what he wants me for?


Master, hurry out at once! You must, of course, go and see him. When you get there, you are sure to find out what it's all about.


Hadn't I said that my uncle wanted you? Would you ever have rushed out with such alacrity? Don't punish the young servant, for it is simply I who begged him go.


I don't mind your playing your larks on me; but why, did you mention my father? Were I to go and tell my aunt, your mother, to see to the rights and the wrongs of the case, how would you like it?


My dear cousin, the primary idea I had in view was to ask you to come out a moment sooner and I forgot to respectfully shun the expression. But by and bye, when you wish to chaff me, just you likewise allude to my father, and we'll thus be square.


Ai-ya! You do more than ever deserve death!! You ruffian! what are you still kneeling for?


Had it been for anything else. I wouldn't have made bold to disturb you; but it's simply in connection with my birthday which is to-morrow, the third day of the fifth moon. Ch'eng Jih-hsing, who is in that curio shop of ours, unexpectedly brought along, goodness knows where he fished them from, fresh lotus so thick and so long, so mealy and so crisp; melons of this size; and a Siamese porpoise, that long and that big, smoked with cedar, such as is sent as tribute from the kingdom of Siam. Are not these four presents, pray, rare delicacies? The porpoise is not only expensive, but difficult to get, and that kind of lotus and melon must have cost him no end of trouble to grow! I lost no time in presenting some to my mother, and at once sent some to your old grandmother, and my aunt. But a good many of them still remain now; and were I to eat them all alone, it would, I fear, be more than I deserve; so I concluded, after thinking right and left, that there was, besides myself, only you good enough to partake of some. That is why I specially invite you to taste them. But, as luck would have it, a young singing-boy has also come, so what do you say to you and I having a jolly day of it?


My birthday presents have not as yet been sent round, and here I come, ahead of them, to trespass on your hospitality.


Just so! but when you come to-morrow to congratulate me we'll consider what novel kind of present you can give me.


I've got nothing that I can give you. As far as money, clothes, eatables and other such articles go, they are not really mine: all I can call my own are such pages of characters that I may write, or pictures that I may draw.


Your reference to pictures, reminds me of a book I saw yesterday, containing immodest drawings; they were, truly, beautifully done. On the front page there figured also a whole lot of characters. But I didn't carefully look at them; I simply noticed the name of the person, who had executed them. It was, in fact, something or other like Keng Huang. The pictures were, actually, exceedingly good!


Of pictures drawn from past years to the present, I have, seen a good many, but I've never come across any Keng Huang. Did you see correctly that it read Keng Huang?


How could I not have seen correctly?


Were they possibly these two characters? These are, in point of fact, not very dissimilar from what Keng Huang look like?


They must, we fancy, have been these two characters! Your eyes, Sir, may, there's no saying, have suddenly grown dim!


Who could have said, whether they were T'ang Yin or Kuo Yin, (candied silver or fruit silver).


Ask him in at once,


That's right! You don't go out of doors, but remain at home and go in for high fun!


We haven't, seen you for ever so long. Is your venerable father strong and hale?


My father, is, thanks to you, strong and hale; but my mother recently contracted a sudden chill and has been unwell for a couple of days.


With whom have you again been boxing, that you've hung up this sign board?


Since the occasion, on which I wounded lieutenant-colonel Ch'ou's son, I've borne the lesson in mind, and never lost my temper. So how is it you say that I've again been boxing? This thing on my face was caused, when I was out shooting the other day on the T'ieh Wang hills, by a flap from the wing of the falcon.


When was that?


I started, on the 28th of the third moon and came back only the day before yesterday.


It isn't to be wondered at then, that when I went the other day, on the third and fourth, to a banquet at friend Shen's house, I didn't see you there. Yet I meant to have inquired about you; but I don't know how it slipped from my memory. Did you go alone, or did your venerable father accompany you?


Of course, my father went, so I had no help but to go. For is it likely, forsooth, that I've gone mad from lack of anything to do! Don't we, a goodly number as we are, derive enough pleasure from our wine-bouts and plays that I should go in quest of such kind of fatiguing recreation! But in this instance a great piece of good fortune turned up in evil fortune!


Come along, and join the banquet; you can then quietly recount to us all your experiences.


According to etiquette. I should join you in drinking a few cups; but to-day I have still a very urgent matter to see my father about on my return so that I truly cannot accept your invitation. This is, indeed, strange! When have you and I had, during all these years, to have recourse to such proceedings! I really am unable to comply with your wishes. But if you do insist upon making me have a drink, well, then bring a large cup and I'll take two cups full and finish.


But do, after all, finish this thing about a piece of good fortune in the midst of misfortune before you go.


To tell you this to-day, will be no great fun. But for this purpose I intend standing a special entertainment, and inviting you all to come and have a long chat; and, in the second place, I've also got a favour to ask of you.


What you've said, has put us more than ever on pins and needles. We cannot brook any delay. Who knows when you will ask us round; so better tell us, and thus avoid keeping people in suspense!


The latest, in ten days; the earliest in eight.


People, wait for you with lacerated heart and anxious mind, and there you go and make merry; yet you could very well, after all, have sent some one with a message.


Didn't I purpose sending a message? Of course, I did! But I failed to do so, as on the arrival of friend Feng, I got so mixed up that the intention vanished entirely from my mind.


Have you tasted any of our new things?


Cousin, you must have certainly tasted what you've got in your house long before us.


Yesterday, my brother did actually make it a point to ask me to have some; but I had none; I told him to keep them and send them to others, so confident am I that with my mean lot and scanty blessings I little deserve to touch such dainties.


You're always running over and seating yourself here, whether you've got good reason for doing so or not; and there's no sleep for us at the third watch, the middle of the night though it be. They've all gone to sleep; you'd better come to-morrow.


It's I! don't you yet open the gate?


It's no matter who you may be; Mr. Secundus has given orders that no one at all should be allowed to come in.


It must, in fact, be because Pao-yü is angry with me for having explained to him the true reasons. But why did I ever go and tell you? You should, however, have made inquiries before you lost your temper to such an extent with me as to refuse to let me in to-day; but is it likely that we shall not by and bye meet face to face again?


How is it, that I don't see cousin Liu? What a lazy girl! Is she forsooth fast asleep even at this late hour of the day?


Wait all of you here, and I'll go and shake her up and bring her. you will find them all in there; you had better go and join them. As for me, I'm going to fetch Miss Lin, but I'll be back soon.


Look at this handkerchief,


If it's really the one you've lost, well then keep it; but if it isn't you must return it to Mr. Yün.


To be sure it is my own,


bring it along and give it to me.


What reward will you give me?


Is it likely that I've searched all for nothing!


I've long ago promised to recompense you, and of course I won't play you false,


I found it and brought it round,


and you naturally will recompense me; but won't you give anything to the person who picked it up?


Don't talk nonsense,


he belongs to a family of gentlemen, and anything of ours he may pick up it's his bounden duty to restore to us. What reward could you have me give him?


If you don't reward him,


what will I be able to tell him? Besides, he enjoined me time after time that if there was to be no recompense, I was not to give it to you.


Never mind!


take this thing of mine and present it to him and have done! But do you mean to let the cat out of the bag with any one else? You should take some oath.


If I tell any one,


may an ulcer grow on my mouth, and may I, in course of time, die an unnatural death!


Ai-ya!


our minds are merely bent upon talking, but some one might come and quietly listen from outside; wouldn't it be as well to push all the venetians open. Any one seeing us in here will then imagine that we are simply chatting about nonsense. Besides, should they approach, we shall be able to observe them, and at once stop our conversation!


P'in Erh, I see where you're hiding! Where have you been hiding Miss Lin?


Who has seen anything of Miss Lin,


I was just now, on that side of the pool, and discerned Miss Lin squatting down over there and playing with the water. I meant to have gently given her a start, but scarcely had I walked up to her, when she saw me, and, with a detour towards the East, she at once vanished from sight. So mayn't she be concealing herself in there? she's certain to have got again into that cave in the hill, and come across a snake, which must have bitten her and put an end to her.


Dreadful! Miss Lin was squatting in here and must for a certainty have overheard what we said before she left.


Even supposing she did overhear what we said, why should she meddle in what does not concern her? Every one should mind her own business.


Had it been Miss Pao, it would not have mattered, but Miss Lin delights in telling mean things of people and is, besides, so petty-minded. Should she have heard and anything perchance comes to light, what will we do? my lady, what is it that you want?


My own waiting-maid, hasn't followed me in here to-day; and as I've just this moment bethought myself of something and would like to send some one on an errand, I wonder whether you're fit to undertake the charge and deliver a message faithfully.


Don't hesitate in entrusting me with any message you may have to send. I'll readily go and deliver it. Should I not do so faithfully, and blunder in fulfilling your business, my lady, you may visit me with any punishment your ladyship may please, and I'll have nothing to say.


What young lady's servant are you. Tell me, so that when she comes back, after I've sent you out, and looks for you, I may be able to tell her about you.


I'm attached to our Master Secundus,' Mr. Pao's rooms,


Ai-ya! Are you really in Pao-yü's rooms! How strange! Yet it comes to the same thing. Well, if he asks for you, I'll tell him where you are. Go now to our house and tell your sister P'ing that she'll find on the table in the outer apartment and under the stand with the plate from the Ju kiln, a bundle of silver; that it contains the one hundred and twenty taels for the embroiderers' wages; and that when Chang Ts'ai's wife comes, the money should be handed to her to take away, after having been weighed in her presence and been given to her to tally. Another thing too I want. In the inner apartment and at the head of the bed you'll find a small purse, bring it along to me.


Sister, do you know where our lady Secunda is gone to? I didn't notice,


Young ladies, do you perchance have any idea where our lady Secunda is gone to now?


Go into your senior lady's court and look for her!


Are you gone clean off your head? You don't water the flowers, nor feed the birds or prepare the tea stove, but gad about outside!


Yesterday. Mr. Secundus told me that there was no need for me to water the flowers to-day; that it was enough if they were watered every other day. As for the birds, you're still in the arms of Morpheus, sister, when I give them their food.


And what about the tea-stove?


To-day, is not my turn on duty, so don't ask me whether there be any tea or not!


Do you listen to that mouth of hers! but don't you girls speak to her; let her stroll about and have done!


You'd better all go and ask whether I've been gadding about or not. Our lady Secunda has just bidden me go and deliver a message, and fetch something.


How funny! Lo, she climbs up a high branch and doesn't condescend to look at any one of us! All she told her must have been just some word or two, who knows! But is it likely that our lady has the least notion of her name or surname that she rides such a high horse, and behaves in this manner! What credit is it in having been sent on a trifling errand like this! Will we, by and bye, pray, hear anything more about you? If you've got any gumption, you'd better skedaddle out of this garden this very day. For, mind, it's only if you manage to hold your lofty perch for any length of time that you can be thought something of!


Sister P'ing says, that as soon as your ladyship left the house, she put the money by, and that when Chang Ts'ai's wife went in a little time to fetch it, she had it weighed in her presence, after which she gave it to her to take away. Sister P'ing bade me come and tell your ladyship, that Wang Erh came just now to crave your orders, as to who are the parties from whom he has to go and (collect interest on money due) and sister P'ing explained to him what your wishes were and sent him off.


How could she tell him where I wanted him to go?


Sister P'ing says, that our lady presents her compliments to your ladyship (widow Li) here-(To lady Feng) that our master Secundus has in fact not come home, and that albeit a delay of (a day) or two will take place (in the collection of the money), your ladyship should, she begs, set your mind at ease. (To Li Wan). That when lady Quinta is somewhat better, our lady will let lady Quinta know and come along with her to see your ladyship. (To lady Feng). That lady Quinta sent a servant the day before yesterday to come over and say that our lady, your worthy maternal aunt, had despatched a letter to inquire after your ladyship's health; that she also wished to ask you, my lady, her worthy niece in here, for a couple of 'long-life-great-efficacy-full-of-every-virtue' pills; and that if you have any, they should, when our lady bids a servant come over, be simply given her to bring to our lady here, and that any one bound to-morrow for that side could then deliver them on her way to her ladyship, your aunt yonder, to take along with her.


Ai-yo-yo! It's impossible for me to make out what you're driving at! What a heap of ladyships and misters!


It's not to be wondered at that you can't make them out. Why, her remarks refer to four or five distinct families. My dear girl, what a trouble you've been put to! But you speak decently, and unlike the others who keep on buzz-buzz-buzz, like mosquitoes! You're not aware, sister-in-law, that I actually dread uttering a word to any of the girls outside the few servant-girls and matrons in my own immediate service; for they invariably spin out, what could be condensed in a single phrase, into a long interminable yarn, and they munch and chew their words; and sticking to a peculiar drawl, they groan and moan; so much so, that they exasperate me till I fly into a regular rage. Yet how are they to know that our P'ing Erh too was once like them. But when I asked her: 'must you forsooth imitate the humming of a mosquito, in order to be accounted a handsome girl?' and spoke to her, on several occasions, she at length improved considerably.


What a good thing it would be, if they could all be as smart as you are.


This girl is first-rate! she just now delivered two messages. They didn't, I admit, amount to much, yet to listen to her, she spoke to the point. To-morrow, come and wait on me, and I'll acknowledge you as my daughter; and the moment you come under my control, you'll readily improve.


At this news, Hsiao Hung spurted out laughing aloud.


What are you laughing for? You must say to yourself that I am young in years and that how much older can I be than yourself to become your mother; but are you under the influence of a spring dream? Go and ask all those people older than yourself. They would be only too ready to call me mother. But snapping my fingers at them, I to-day exalt you.


I wasn't laughing about that. I was amused by the mistake your ladyship made about our generations. Why, my mother claims to be your daughter, my lady, and are you now going to recognise me too as your daughter?


Who's your mother?


Don't you actually know her? She's Lin Chih-hsiao's child.


What! is she really his daughter? Why Lin Chih-hsiao and his wife, couldn't either of them utter a sound if even they were pricked with an awl. I've always maintained that they're a well-suited couple; as the one is as deaf as a post, and the other as dumb as a mute. But who would ever have expected them to have such a clever girl! By how much are you in your teens?


I'm seventeen,


What is your name?


My name was once Hung Yü. But as it was a duplicate of that of Master Secundus, Mr. Pao-yü, I'm now simply called Hsiao Hung.


It's most disgusting! Those bearing the name Yü would seem to be very cheap; for your name is Yü, and so is also mine Yü. Sister-in-law, I never let you know anything about it, but I mentioned to her mother that Lai Ta's wife has at present her hands quite full, and that she hasn't either any notion as to who is who in this mansion. 'You had better,' (I said), 'carefully select a couple of girls for my service.' She assented unreservedly, but she put it off and never chose any. On the contrary, she sent this girl to some other place. But is it likely that she wouldn't have been well off with me?


Here you are again full of suspicion! She came in here long before you ever breathed a word to her! So how could you bear a grudge against her mother?


Well, in that case, I'll speak to Pao-yü to-morrow, and induce him to find another one, and to allow this girl to come along with me. I wonder, however, whether she herself is willing or not?


Whether willing or not, such as we couldn't really presume to raise our voices and object. We should feel it our privilege to serve such a one as your ladyship, and learn a little how to discriminate when people raise or drop their eyebrows and eyes (with pleasure or displeasure), and reap as well some experience in such matters as go out or come in, whether high or low, great and small.


My dear cousin, did you lodge a complaint against me yesterday? I've been on pins and needles the whole night long.


Put the room in order, and lower one of the gauze window-frames. And when you've seen the swallows come back, drop the curtain; keep it down then by placing the lion on it, and after you have burnt the incense, mind you cover the censer.


Brother Pao, are you all right. It's just three days that I haven't seen anything of you?


Are you sister quite well? The other day, I asked news of you of our senior sister-in-law.


Brother Pao, come over here; I want to tell you something. I heard vaguely something or other about father sending for you to go out.


I presume that some one must have heard wrong, for he never sent for me.


I've again managed to save during the last few months, fully ten tiaos, so take them and bring me, when at any time you stroll out of doors, either some fine writings or some ingenious knicknack.


Much as I have roamed inside and outside the city walls, and seen grand establishments and large temples, I've never come across anything novel or pretty. One simply sees articles made of gold, jade, copper and porcelain, as well as such curios for which we could find no place here. Besides these, there are satins, eatables, and wearing apparel.


Who cares for such baubles! How could they come up to what you purchased the last time; that wee basket, made of willow twigs, that scent-box, scooped out of a root of real bamboo, that portable stove fashioned of glutinous clay; these things were, oh, so very nice! I was as fond of them as I don't know what; but, who'd have thought it, they fell in love with them and bundled them all off, just as if they were precious things.


Is it things of this kind that you really want? Why, these are worth nothing! Were you to take a hundred cash and give them to the servant-boys, they could, I'm sure, bring two cart-loads of them.


What do the servant-boys know? Those you chose for me were plain yet not commonplace. Neither were they of coarse make. So were you to procure me as many as you can get of them, I'll work you a pair of slippers like those I gave you last time, and spend twice as much trouble over them as I did over that pair you have. Now, what do you say to this bargain?


Your reference to this reminds me of an old incident. One day I had them on, and by a strange coincidence, I met father, whose fancy they did not take, and he inquired who had worked them. But how could I muster up courage to allude to the three words: my sister Tertia, so I answered that my maternal aunt had given them to me on the recent occasion of my birthday. When father heard that they had been given to me by my aunt, he could not very well say anything. But after a while, 'why uselessly waste,' he observed, 'human labour, and throw away silks to make things of this sort!' On my return, I told Hsi Jen about it. 'Never mind,' said Hsi Jen; but Mrs. Chao got angry. 'Her own brother,' she murmured indignantly, 'wears slipshod shoes and socks in holes, and there's no one to look after him, and does she go and work all these things!'


Now tell me, aren't these words utter rot! What am I that I have to make shoes? And is it likely that Huan Erh hasn't his own share of things! Clothes are clothes, and shoes and socks are shoes and socks; and how is it that any grudges arise in the room of a mere servant-girl and old matron? For whose benefit does she come out with all these things! I simply work a pair or part of a pair when I am at leisure, with time on my hands. And I can give them to any brother, elder or younger, I fancy; and who has a right to interfere with me? This is just another bit of blind anger!


Yet you don't know what her motives may be. It's but natural that she should also cherish some expectations.


Even you have grown dull! She does, of course, indulge in expectations, but they are actuated by some underhand and paltry notion! She may go on giving way to these ideas, but I, for my part, will only care for Mr. Chia Cheng and Madame Wang. I won't care a rap for any one else. In fact, I'll be nice with such of my sisters and brothers, as are nice to me; and won't even draw any distinction between those born of primary wives and those of secondary ones. Properly speaking, I shouldn't say these things about her, but she's narrow-minded to a degree, and unlike what she should be. There's besides another ridiculous thing. This took place the last time I gave you the money to get me those trifles. Well, two days after that, she saw me, and she began again to represent that she had no money and that she was hard up. Nevertheless, I did not worry my brain with her goings on. But as it happened, the servant-girls subsequently quitted the room, and she at once started finding fault with me. 'Why,' she asked, 'do I give you my savings to spend and don't, after all, let Huan Erh have them and enjoy them?' When I heard these reproaches, I felt both inclined to laugh, and also disposed to lose my temper; but I there and then skedaddled out of her quarters, and went over to our Madame Wang.


Well, have you done spinning your yarns? If you have, come along! It's quite evident that you are brother and sister, for here you leave every one else and go and discuss your own private matters. Couldn't we too listen to a single sentence of what you have to say?


I'll join you in a moment,


When Tai-yü's flowerlike charms and moon-like beauty, by and bye likewise reach a time when they will vanish beyond any hope of recovery, won't my heart be lacerated and my feelings be mangled! And extending, since Tai-yü must at length some day revert to a state when it will be difficult to find her, this reasoning to other persons, like Pao-ch'ai, Hsiang Ling, Hsi Jen and the other girls, they too are equally liable to attain a state beyond the reach of human search. But when Pao-ch'ai and all the rest have ultimately reached that stage when no trace will be visible of them, where shall I myself be then? And when my own human form will have vanished and gone, whither I know not yet, to what person, I wonder, will this place, this garden and these plants, revert?


Every one, laughs at me for labouring under a foolish mania, but is there likely another fool besides myself? Ts'ui! I was wondering who it was; but is it truly this ruthless-hearted and short-lived fellow!


Stop a little! I know you don't care a rap for me; but I'll just make one single remark, and from this day forward we'll part company.


Please tell me what it is,


If I pass two remarks will you listen to me; yes or no? Since this is what we've come to now, what was the use of what existed between us in days gone by?


what about days gone by, and what about now?


Ai! when you got here in days gone by, wasn't I your playmate in all your romps and in all your fun? My heart may have been set upon anything, but if you wanted it you could take it away at once. I may have been fond of any eatable, but if I came to learn that you too fancied it, I there and then put away what could be put away, in a clean place, to wait, Miss, for your return. We had our meals at one table; we slept in one and the same bed; whatever the servant-girls could not remember, I reminded them of, for fear lest your temper, Miss, should get ruffled. I flattered myself that cousins, who have grown up together from their infancy, as you and I have, would have continued, through intimacy or friendship, either would have done, in peace and harmony until the end, so as to make it palpable that we are above the rest. But, contrary to all my expectations, now that you, Miss, have developed in body as well as in mind, you don't take the least heed of me. You lay hold instead of some cousin Pao or cousin Feng or other from here, there and everywhere and give them a place in your affections; while on the contrary you disregard me for three days at a stretch and decline to see anything of me for four! I have besides no brother or sister of the same mother as myself. It's true there are a couple of them, but these, are you not forsooth aware, are by another mother! You and I are only children, so I ventured to hope that you would have reciprocated my feelings. But, who'd have thought it, I've simply thrown away this heart of mine, and here I am with plenty of woes to bear, but with nowhere to go and utter them! I myself am aware, that I'm worth nothing now; but, however imperfect I may be, I could on no account presume to become guilty of any shortcoming with you cousin. Were I to ever commit the slightest fault, your task should be either to tender me advice and warn me not to do it again, or to blow me up a little, or give me a few whacks; and all this reproof I wouldn't take amiss. But no one would have ever anticipated that you wouldn't bother your head in the least about me, and that you would be the means of driving me to my wits' ends, and so much out of my mind and off my head, as to be quite at a loss how to act for the best. In fact, were death to come upon me, I would be a spirit driven to my grave by grievances. However much exalted bonzes and eminent Taoist priests might do penance, they wouldn't succeed in releasing my soul from suffering; for it would still be needful for you to clearly explain the facts, so that I might at last be able to come to life.


Well, in that case, why did you not let a servant-girl open the door when I came over?


What prompts you to say this? If I have done anything of the kind, may I die at once.


Psha! it's not right that you-should recklessly broach the subject of living or dying at this early morn! If you say yea, it's yea; and nay, it's nay; what use is there to utter such oaths!


I didn't really see you come over. Cousin Pao-ch'ai it was, who came and sat for a while and then left.


Yes, your servant-girls must, I fancy, have been too lazy to budge, grumpy and in a cross-grained mood; this is probable enough.


This is, I feel sure, the reason, so when I go back, I'll find out who it was, call them to task and put things right.


Those girls of yours; should be given a lesson, but properly speaking it isn't for me to mention anything about it. Their present insult to me is a mere trifle; but were to-morrow some Miss Pao (precious) or some Miss Pei (jewel) or other to come, and were she to be subjected to insult, won't it be a grave matter?


Miss, have you taken any of Dr. Pao's medicines? Do you feel any better?


I simply feel so-so, but grandmother Chia recommended me to go on taking Dr. Wang's medicines.


Mother, you've no idea that cousin Lin's is an internal derangement; it's because she was born with a delicate physique that she can't stand the slightest cold. All she need do is to take a couple of closes of some decoction to dispel the chill; yet it's preferable that she should have medicine in pills.


The other day, the doctor mentioned the name of some pills, but I've forgotten what it is.


I know something about pills, he merely told her to take some pills or other called 'ginseng as-a-restorative-of-the-system.'


That isn't it,


The 'Eight-precious-wholesome-to-mother' pills, or the 'Left-angelica' or 'Right-angelica;' if these also aren't the ones, they must be the 'Eight-flavour Rehmannia-glutinosa' pills.


None of these, for I remember well that there were the two words chin kang (guardians in Buddhistic temples).


I've never before, heard of the existence of chin kang pills; but in the event of there being any chin kang pills, there must, for a certainty, be such a thing as P'u Sa (Buddha) powder.


It must, I'm inclined to think, be the 'lord-of-heaven-strengthen-the-heart' pills!


Yes, that's the name, why, now, I too have become muddle-headed.


You're not muddled-headed, mother, it's the mention of Chin kangs and Buddhas which confused you.


Stuff and nonsense! What you want again is your father to whip you!


My father, wouldn't whip me for a thing like this.


Well, this being their name, you had better tell some one to-morrow to buy you a few.


All these drugs, are of no earthly use. Were you, mother, to give me three hundred and sixty taels, I'll concoct a supply of pills for my cousin, which I can certify will make her feel quite herself again before she has finished a single supply.


What trash! What kind of medicine is there so costly!


It's a positive fact. This prescription of mine is unlike all others. Besides, the very names of those drugs are quaint, and couldn't be enumerated in a moment; suffice it to mention the placenta of the first child; three hundred and sixty ginseng roots, shaped like human beings and studded with leaves; four fat tortoises; full-grown polygonum multiflorum; the core of the Pachyma cocos, found on the roots of a fir tree of a thousand years old; and other such species of medicines. They're not, I admit, out-of-the-way things; but they are the most excellent among that whole crowd of medicines; and were I to begin to give you a list of them, why, they'd take you all quite aback. The year before last, I at length let Hsüeh P'an have this recipe, after he had made ever so many entreaties during one or two years. When, however, he got the prescription, he had to search for another two or three years and to spend over and above a thousand taels before he succeeded in having it prepared. If you don't believe me, mother, you are at liberty to ask cousin Pao-ch'ai about it.


I know nothing about it. Nor have I heard anything about it, so don't tell your mother to ask me any questions.


Really. Pao-ch'ai is a good girl; she does not tell lies.


What I stated just now, was the truth; yet you maintain that it was all lies.


Brother Pao tells no lies, this is really a fact. Some time ago cousin Hsüeh P'an came over in person and asked me for pearls, and when I inquired of him what he wanted them for, he explained that they were intended to compound some medicine with; adding, in an aggrieved way, that it would have been better hadn't he taken it in hand for he never had any idea that it would involve such a lot of trouble! When I questioned him what the medicine was, he returned for answer that it was a prescription of brother Pao's; and he mentioned ever so many ingredients, which I don't even remember. 'Under other circumstances,' he went on to say, 'I would have purchased a few pearls, but what are absolutely wanted are such pearls as have been worn on the head; and that's why I come to ask you, cousin, for some. If, cousin, you've got no broken ornaments at hand, in the shape of flowers, why, those that you have on your head will do as well; and by and bye I'll choose a few good ones and give them to you, to wear.' I had no other course therefore than to snap a couple of twigs from some flowers I have, made of pearls, and to let him take them away. One also requires a piece of deep red gauze, three feet in length of the best quality; and the pearls must be triturated to powder in a mortar.


The thing is as clear as sunlight now. Mother, you should know that this is a mere makeshift, for really, according to the letter of the prescription, these pearls and precious stones should, properly speaking, consist of such as had been obtained from, some old grave and been worn as head-ornaments by some wealthy and honourable person of bygone days. But how could one go now on this account and dig up graves, and open tombs! Hence it is that such as are simply in use among living persons can equally well be substituted.


O-mi-to-fu! That will never do, and what an arduous job to uselessly saddle one's self with; for even though there be interred in some graves people, who've been dead for several hundreds of years, it wouldn't be a propitious thing were their corpses turned topsy-turvey now and the bones abstracted; just for the sake of preparing some medicine or other.


Have you heard what was said or not? And is there, pray, any likelihood that cousin Secunda would also follow in my lead and tell lies?


You just listen to him, aunt. All because cousin Pao-ch'ai would not accommodate him by lying, he appeals to me.


Pao-yü has a great knack, of dealing contemptuously with you, his cousin.


Mother, you are not aware how the case stands. When cousin Pao-ch'ai lived at home, she knew nothing whatever about my elder cousin Hsüeh P'an's affairs, and how much less now that she has taken up her quarters inside the garden? She, of course, knows less than ever about them! Yet, cousin Lin just now stealthily treated my statements as lies, and put me to the blush.


Let's wait for master Secundus, Mr. Pao, to go along with us. He doesn't want anything to eat, he won't come with us, so I'll go ahead.


I'll have my repast with my mother to-day,


Not at all, not at all. I'm going to fast to-day, so it's only right and proper that you should go and have your own.


I'll also fast with you then,


You, girls, had better have your meal, and let him have his own way!


It's only right that you should go. Whether you have anything to eat or not, you should go over for a while to keep company to cousin Lin, as she will be quite distressed and out of spirits.


Who cares about her! she'll get all right again after a time.


Cousin Secundus, what's the use of the hurry-scurry you're in the whole day long! Even when you're having your meals, or your tea, you're in this sort of fussy helter-skelter!


Make him hurry up and have his tea, so that he may go and look up his cousin Lin. He'll be up to all kinds of mischief if you keep him here!


You come quite opportunely, walk in, walk in, and write a few characters for me. Forty rolls of deep red ornamented satin, forty rolls of satin with dragons; a hundred rolls of gauzes of every colour, of the finest quality; four gold necklaces….


What's this? it is neither a bill; nor is it a list of presents, and in what style shall I write it?


Just you go on writing, for, in fact, as long as I can make out what it means, it's all that is needed. I've still something more to tell you, but I wonder whether you will accede to it or not. There is in your rooms a servant-maid, Hsiao Hung by name, whom I would like to bring over into my service, and I'll select several girls to-morrow to wait on you; will this do?


The servants in my quarters, muster a large crowd, so that, cousin, you are at perfect liberty to send for any one of them, who might take your fancy; what's the need therefore of asking me about it?


If that be so. I'll tell some one at once to go and bring her over.


Yes, she can go and fetch her,


Come back. I've got something more to tell you.


Our venerable senior has sent for me, if you have anything to tell me you must wait till my return.


Have you had anything nice to eat with your mother?


There was really nothing nice. Yet I managed to have a bowl of rice more than usual. Where's cousin Lin?


You have attained more skill than ever; for there you can even cut out clothes!


This too is a mere falsehood, to hoodwink people with, nothing more.


I'll tell you a joke, when I just now said that I did not know anything about that medicine, cousin Pao-yü felt displeased.


Who cares! He'll get all right shortly.


Our worthy grandmother wishes to play at dominoes, and there's no one there at present to have a game with her; so you'd better go and play with her.


Have I come over now to play dominoes!


It would be well for you to go, for there's a tiger in here; and, look out, he might eat you up.


You should also go for a stroll! It will be time enough by and bye to continue your cutting. Who has taught her how to cut out these things?


What does it matter who taught me how to cut? It's no business of yours, Mr. Secundus. O-mi-to-fu! it wouldn't matter to you if you found me dead on your return!


You are invited, to go to Mr. Feng's house. Our Master Secundus, Mr. Pao, is in the study waiting for his out-door clothes; so do go in, worthy dame, and deliver the message.


It would be better, if you did not echo your mother's absurdities! Our Master Secundus, Mr. Pao, now lives in the garden, and all the servants, who attend on him, stay in the garden; and do you again come and bring the message here?


You're quite right, in reproving me, for I've become quite idiotic.


What you said the other day, about good fortune coming out of evil fortune has preyed so much upon my mind, both by day and night, that the moment I received your summons I hurried to come immediately.


My worthy cousins. You're all far too credulous! It's a mere hoax that I made use of the other day. For so much did I fear that you would be sure to refuse if I openly asked you to a drinking bout, that I thought it fit to say what I did. But your attendance to-day, so soon after my invitation, makes it clear, little though one would have thought it, that you've all taken it as pure gospel truth.


Do sing me, that novel ballad of your own composition; and I'll drink a whole jar full. Eh, will you?


Lovers have I two. To set aside either I cannot bear. When my heart longs for thee to come, It also yearns for him. Both are in form handsome and fair. Their beauty to describe it would be hard. Just think, last night, when at a silent hour, we met in secret, by the trellis frame laden with roses white, One to his feelings stealthily was giving vent, When lo, the other caught us in the act, And laying hands on us; there we three stood like litigants before the bar. And I had, verily, no word in answer for myself to give. Well now, down with that whole jar!


Why, it isn't worth a jarful. Favour us with some other good song!


Listen to what I have to suggest. If you go on drinking in this reckless manner, we will easily get drunk and there will be no fun in it. I'll take the lead and swallow a large cupful and put in force a new penalty; and any one of you who doesn't comply with it, will be mulcted in ten large cupfuls, in quick succession!


Quite right! quite right!


We will now, dilate on the four characters, 'sad, wounded, glad and joyful.' But while discoursing about young ladies, we'll have to illustrate the four states as well. At the end of this recitation, we'll have to drink the 'door cup' over the wine, to sing an original and seasonable ballad, while over the heel taps, to make allusion to some object on the table, and devise something with some old poetical lines or ancient scrolls, from the Four Books or the Five Classics, or with some set phrases.


I won't join you, so don't count me; this is, in fact, done in order to play tricks upon me.


What are you in such a funk for? You're fortunate enough to be able to drink wine daily, and can't you, forsooth, even come up to me? Yet I mean to recite, by and bye, my own share. If you say what's right, well and good; if you don't, you will simply have to swallow several cups of wine as a forfeit, and is it likely you'll die from drunkenness? Are you, pray, going now to disregard this rule and to drink, instead, ten large cups; besides going down to pour the wine?


A girl is sad, When her spring-time of life is far advanced and she still occupies a vacant inner-room. A girl feels wounded in her heart, When she regrets having allowed her better half to go abroad and win a marquisdom. A girl is glad, When looking in the mirror, at the time of her morning toilette, she finds her colour fair. A girl is joyful, What time she sits on the frame of a gallows-swing, clad in a thin spring gown.


It isn't good, he must be fined. Because what he says is entirely unintelligible to me. So how can he not be fined?


Just you quietly think of yours, for if by and bye you are not ready you'll also have to bear a fine.


When mutual thoughts arise, tears, blood-stained, endless drop, like lentiles sown broadcast. In spring, in ceaseless bloom nourish willows and flowers around the painted tower. Inside the gauze-lattice peaceful sleep flies, when, after dark, come wind and rain. Both new-born sorrows and long-standing griefs cannot from memory ever die! E'en jade-fine rice, and gold-like drinks they make hard to go down; they choke the throat. The lass has not the heart to desist gazing in the glass at her wan face. Nothing can from that knitted brow of hers those frowns dispel; For hard she finds it patient to abide till the clepsydra will have run its course. Alas! how fitly like the faint outline of a green hill which nought can screen; Or like a green-tinged stream, which ever ceaseless floweth onward far and wide!


There's no metre in them,


While the rain strikes the pear-blossom I firmly close the door,


A maid is glad. When at her first confinement she gives birth to twins, both sons. A maid is joyful, When on the sly she to the garden creeps crickets to catch. A maid is sad, When her husband some sickness gets and lies in a bad state. A maiden is wounded at heart, When a fierce wind blows down the tower, where she makes her toilette. Thou art what one could aptly call a man. But thou'rt endowed with somewhat too much heart! How queer thou art, cross-grained and impish shrewd! A spirit too, thou couldst not be more shrewd. If all I say thou dost not think is true, In secret just a minute search pursue; For then thou'lt know if I love thee or not. The cock crows when the moon's rays shine upon the thatchèd inn.


A girl is sad,


My dear child! your worthy Mr. Hsüeh still lives, and why do you give way to fears?


When her mother beats and scolds her and never for an instant doth desist.


It was only the other day, that I saw your mother and that I told her that I would not have her beat you.


A girl is glad. When her lover cannot brook to leave her and return home. A maiden is joyful, When hushing the pan-pipe and double pipe, a stringed instrument she thrums. T'is the third day of the third moon, the nutmegs bloom; A maggot, lo, works hard to pierce into a flower; But though it ceaseless bores it cannot penetrate. So crouching on the buds, it swing-like rocks itself. My precious pet, my own dear little darling, If I don't choose to open how can you steal in? the delicate peach-blossom,


Is it for me to speak now? A maiden is sad…


Sad for what? Go on and tell us at once!


A girl is sad. When she marries a spouse who is a libertine. What amuses you so? is it likely that what I say is not correct? If a girl marries a man, who chooses to forget all virtue, how can she not feel sore at heart? A girl is grieved…. When a huge monkey finds its way into the inner room.


He must be mulcted, he must be mulcted. The first one could anyhow be overlooked; but this line is more unintelligible.


The rhyme is all right,


The master of the rules, approves it in every way, so what are you people fussing about?


The two lines, that follow, are still more difficult, so you had better let me recite for you.


Fiddlesticks! do you really fancy that I have no good ones! Just you listen to what I shall say. A girl is glad, When in the bridal room she lies, with flowery candles burning, and she is loth to rise at morn.


How supremely excellent this line is!


A girl is joyful. During the consummation of wedlock.


Dreadful! Dreadful! But quick sing your song and have done.


A mosquito buzzes heng, heng, heng!


What kind of song is this?


Two flies buzz weng, weng, weng.


Enough,


that will do, that will do!


Do you want to hear it or not? this is a new kind of song, called the 'Heng, heng air,' but if you people are not disposed to listen, let me off also from saying what I have to say over the heel-taps and I won't then sing.


We'll let you off! We'll let you off,


so don't be hindering others.


A maiden is sad. When her husband leaves home and never does return. A maiden is disconsolate, When she has no money to go and buy some olea frangrans oil. A maiden is glad, When the wick of the lantern forms two heads like twin flowers on one stem. A maiden is joyful, When true conjugal peace prevails between her and her mate. How I love thee with those seductive charms of thine, heaven-born! In truth thou'rt like a living fairy from the azure skies! The spring of life we now enjoy; we are yet young in years. Our union is, indeed, a happy match! But. lo! the milky way doth at its zenith soar; Hark to the drums which beat around in the watch towers; So raise the silver lamp and let us soft under the nuptial curtain steal. I know, few poetical quotations bearing on this sort of thing. By a stroke of good fortune, however, I yesterday conned a pair of antithetical scrolls; of these I can only remember just one line, but lucky enough for me the object it refers to figures as well on this festive board. When the perfume of flowers wafts (hsi jen) itself into a man, he knows the day is warm.


It's awful, awful! he should be fined, he should be made to pay a forfeit; there's no precious article whatever on this table; how is it then that you introduce precious things?


There was nothing about precious things!


What I are you still prevaricating? Well, repeat it again! If she isn't, what is she? And if you don't believe me, you ask him about it,


Cousin, you should be fined heavily.


I should be! I should be!


If you have nothing to do, do let us go over to our place. I've got something more to ask you. It's this, there's in your worthy company some one called Ch'i Kuan, with a reputation extending at present throughout the world; but, unfortunately, I alone have not had the good luck of seeing him even once.


This is really, my own infant name.


How lucky! I'm in luck's way! In very truth your reputation is no idle report. But to-day is our first meeting, and what shall I do? This is a mere trifle. It does not deserve your acceptance, yet it will be a small souvenir of our acquaintance to-day.


I do not deserve, such a present. How am I worthy of such an honour! But never mind, I've also got about me here a strange thing, which I put on this morning; it is brand-new yet, and will, I hope, suffice to prove to you a little of the feeling of esteem which I entertain for you. This sash, is an article brought as tribute from the Queen of the Hsi Hsiang Kingdom. If you attach this round you in summer, your person will emit a fragrant perfume, and it will not perspire. It was given to me yesterday by the Prince of Pei Ching, and it is only to-day that I put it on. To any one else, I would certainly not be willing to present it. But, Mr. Secundus, please do unfasten the one you have on and give it to me to bind round me.


Oh! I've caught you!


What do you leave your wine for and withdraw from the banquet. Be quick and produce those things, and let me see them!


There's nothing to see!


I must have lost it this very moment,


As you have such a nice sash to fasten your trousers with, you'd better return that one of mine.


I'll give you another one instead.


I felt sure; that you'd go again and do these things! Yet you shouldn't take my belongings and bestow them on that low-bred sort of people. Can it be that no consideration finds a place in your heart?


I don't care for such things!


Lady Secunda,


dispatched some one and fetched Hsiao Hung away. Her wish was to have waited for your return; but as I thought that it was of no consequence, I took upon myself to decide, and sent her off.


That's all right! I knew all about it, there was no need for her to wait.


Yesterday, the Imperial Consort deputed the Eunuch Hsia to bring a hundred and twenty ounces of silver and to convey her commands that from the first to the third, there should be offered, in the Ch'ing Hsu temple, thanksgiving services to last for three days and that theatrical performances should be given, and oblations presented: and to tell our senior master, Mr. Chia Chen, to take all the gentlemen, and go and burn incense and worship Buddha. Besides this, she also sent presents for the dragon festival.


What's the reason of this? How is it that Miss Lin's are not the same as mine, but that Miss Pao's instead are like my own? May not the message have been wrongly delivered? Of course, it's my duty to go over. Take these to your Miss Lin, and say that I got them, yesterday, and that she is at liberty to keep out of them any that take her fancy.


Miss Lin says, that she also got some yesterday, and that you, Master Secundus, should keep yours.


I told you, to select those you liked from my things; how is it you didn't choose any?


I'm not gifted with such extreme good fortune, as to be able to accept them. I can't compete with Miss Pao, in connection with whom something or other about gold or about jade is mentioned. We are simply beings connected with the vegetable kingdom.


If beyond what people say about gold or jade, the idea of any such things ever crosses my mind, may the heavens annihilate me, and may the earth extinguish me, and may I for ten thousand generations never assume human form!


They're all to no use! Why utter such oaths, when there's no rhyme or reason! Who cares about any gold or any jade of yours!


It would be difficult for me to tell you, to your face, all the secrets of my heart, but by and bye you'll surely come to know all about them! After the three—my old grandmother, my father and my mother—you, my cousin, hold the fourth place; and, if there be a fifth, I'm ready to swear another oath.


You needn't swear any more. I'm well aware that I, your younger cousin, have a place in your heart; but the thing is that at the sight of your elder cousin, you at once forget all about your younger cousin.


This comes again from over-suspicion! for I'm not at all disposed that way.


Well, why did you yesterday appeal to me when that hussey Pao-ch'ai would not help you by telling a story? Had it been I, who had been guilty of any such thing, I don't know what you wouldn't have done again.


You can't resist, a single puff of wind; and why do you stand there and expose yourself to the very teeth of it?


Wasn't I inside the room? But I came out to have a look as I heard a shriek in the heavens; it turned out, in fact, to be a stupid wild goose!


A stupid wild goose! Where is it, let me also see it!


As soon as I got out, it flew away with a 't'e-rh' sort of noise.


Ai-yah! Who was it?


I would not venture to do such a thing, it was a mere slip of my hand. As cousin Pao-ch'ai wished to see the silly wild goose, I was pointing it out to her, when the handkerchief inadvertently flew out of my grip.


Never mind, it's too hot; besides, what plays haven't I seen? I don't mean to come.


It's cool enough over at their place. There are also two-storied buildings on either side; so we must all go! I'll send servants a few days before to drive all that herd of Taoist priests out, to sweep the upper stories, hang up curtains, and to keep out every single loafer from the interior of the temple; so it will be all right like that. I've already told our Madame Wang that if you people don't go, I mean to go all alone, as I've been again in very low spirits these last few days, and as when theatricals come off at home, it's out of the question for me to look on with any peace and quiet.


Well, in that case. I'll go along with you.


Venerable ancestor, were you also to go, it would be ever so much better; yet I won't feel quite at my ease!


To-morrow. I can stay in the two-storied building, situated on the principal site, while you can go to the one on the side. You can then likewise dispense with coming over to where I shall be to stand on any ceremonies. Will this suit you or not?


This is indeed, a proof of your regard for me, my worthy senior.


You too should go, so should your mother; for if you remain the whole day long at home, you will again sleep your head off.


Are her spirits still so buoyant!


I won't sit with you.


You've crushed our mistress' bundle.


You've broken my fan.


Girls, this is the street. The on-lookers will laugh at you!


You boorish young bastard! where are you running to?


Catch him, catch him! Beat him, beat him!


Be quick and bring the lad here, but, mind, don't frighten him. Children of mean families invariably get into the way of being spoilt by over-indulgence. How ever could he have set eyes before upon such display as this! Were you to frighten him, he will really be much to be pitied; and won't his father and mother be exceedingly cut up? There's nothing to fear!


Poor boy! Brother Chen, take him away, and give him a few cash to buy himself fruit with; and do impress upon every one that they are not to bully him.


Take him and give him several hundreds of cash and abstain from ill-treating him.


Majordomo!


Albeit this is a spacious place, we muster a good concourse to-day, so you'd better bring into this court those servants, who'll be of any use to you, and send over into that one those who won't. And choose a few from among those young pages to remain on duty, at the second gate and at the two side entrances, so as to ask for things and deliver messages. Do you understand me, yes or no? The young ladies and ladies have all come out of town to-day, and not a single outsider must be permitted to put his foot in here.


I understand,


Now, you can go on your way. But how is it, I don't see anything of Jung Erh? Look at him. Look at him! I don't feel hot in here, and yet he must go in search of a cool place. Spit at him!


Master doesn't feel hot here, and how is it that you, Sir, have been the first to go and get cool?


What are you standing there for? Don't you yet get on your horse and gallop home and tell your mother that our venerable senior is here with all the young ladies, and bid them come at once and wait upon them?


Who knows what he has been up to the whole morning, that he now finds fault with me! Are your hands made fast, that you can't lead the horse round?


I'm not properly speaking, on the same footing as the others and should be in attendance inside, but as on account of the intense heat, the young ladies have come out of doors, I couldn't presume to take upon myself to intrude and ask what your orders, Sir, are. But the dowager lady may possibly inquire about me, or may like to visit any part of the temple, so I shall wait in here.


Do you again make use of such language amongst ourselves? One word more, and I'll take that beard of yours, and outroot it! Don't you yet come along with me inside?


Hah, hah,


Grandfather Chang, has come in to pay his respects.


Raise him up!


Oh Buddha of unlimited years! Have you kept all right and in good health, throughout, venerable Senior? Have all the ladies and young ladies continued well? I haven't been for some time to your mansion to pay my obeisance, but you, my dowager lady, have improved more and more.


Venerable Immortal Being! how are you; quite well?


Thanks to the ten thousand blessings he has enjoyed from your hands, your servant too continues pretty strong and hale. In every other respect, I've, after all, been all right; but I have felt much concern about Mr. Pao-yü. Has he been all right all the time? The other day, on the 26th of the fourth moon, I celebrated the birthday of the 'Heaven-Pervading-Mighty-King;' few people came and everything went off right and proper. I told them to invite Mr. Pao to come for a stroll; but how was it they said that he wasn't at home?


It was indeed true that he was away from home,


My respects to you, grandfather Chang,


Mr. Pao, has grown fatter than ever.


Outwardly, his looks, may be all right, but, inwardly, he is weak. In addition to this, his father presses him so much to study that he has again and again managed, all through this bullying, to make his child fall sick.


The other day. I went to several places on a visit, and saw characters written by Mr. Pao and verses composed by him, all of which were exceedingly good; so how is it that his worthy father still feels displeased with him, and maintains that Mr. Pao is not very fond of his books? According to my humble idea, he knows quite enough. As I consider Mr. Pao's face, his bearing, his speech and his deportment,


Quite so,


What the former duke of Jung Kuo was like in appearance. The other day,


Some time ago,


Grandfather Chang, aren't you going to change the talisman of 'Recorded Name' of our daughter? The other day, lucky enough for you, you had again the great cheek to send some one to ask me for some satin of gosling-yellow colour. I gave it to you, for had I not, I was afraid lest your old face should have been made to feel uneasy.


It would have been sufficient if you'd carried it in your hand! And why use a tray to lay it on?


My hands aren't clean,


When you produced that tray just now,


What a monkey!


I've got nothing to do with any men whatever,


I brought out,


Well, since that be the case,


Your venerable ladyship,


Grandfather Chang has brought back the jade.


The whole company,


What nonsense you're talking!


These are intended as a small token of their esteem,


Venerable senior,


Mr. Pao,


Put them by!


The plays,


Of what kind of old story does 'the record of the white snake,' treat?


The story about Han Kao-tsu,


Has this been assigned the second place?


The Nan Ko dream is the third,


Senior cousin, Shih Hsiang-yün,


Is it indeed Yün-erh who has it?


Now that she lives in our house,


Cousin Pao-ch'ai,


As far as other matters are concerned,


This is really a fine thing to play with; I'll keep it for you, and when we get back home, I'll pass a ribbon through it for you to wear.


I don't care about it,


Well,


What do you people rush over here for again?


I came here for a turn, simply because I had nothing to do.


that some one had come from the house of general Feng.


Ai-ya;


This is no regular fasting,


By striking the wall, we've also stirred up dust,


Just go and look at the plays,


If others don't understand me; it's anyhow excusable; but has she too begun to make fun of me?


My friendship with you has been of no avail But, never mind, patience!


Yes, your friendship with me has been of no avail, for how can I compare with those whose manifold qualities make them fit matches for you?


Are you by telling me this, deliberately bent upon invoking imprecations upon me that I should be annihilated by heaven and extinguished by earth? It was, on account of this very conversation that I yesterday swore several oaths, and now would you really make me repeat another one? But were the heavens to annihilate me and the earth to extinguish me, what benefit would you derive?


If I entertain any deliberate intention to bring any harm upon you, may I too be destroyed by heaven and exterminated by earth! But what's the use of all this! I know very well that the allusion to marriage made yesterday by Chang, the Taoist, fills you with dread lest he might interfere with your choice. You are inwardly so irate that you come and treat me as your malignant influence.


that were others unable to read my feelings, it would anyhow be excusable; but is it likely that you cannot realise that in my heart and in my eyes there is no one else besides yourself. But as you were not able to do anything to dispel my annoyance, but made use, instead, of the language you did to laugh at me, and to gag my mouth, it's evident that though you hold, at every second and at every moment, a place in my heart, I don't, in fact, occupy a place in yours.


If, really, I hold a place in your heart, why do you, albeit what's said about gold and jade being a fit match, attach more importance to this perverse report and think nothing of what I say? Did you, when I so often broach the subject of this gold and jade, behave as if you, verily, had never heard anything about it, I would then have seen that you treat me with preference and that you don't harbour the least particle of a secret design. But how is it that the moment I allude to the topic of gold and jade, you at once lose all patience? This is proof enough that you are continuously pondering over that gold and jade, and that as soon as you hear me speak to you about them, you apprehend that I shall once more give way to conjectures, and intentionally pretend to be quite out of temper, with the deliberate idea of cajoling me!


I don't care what you do, everything is well, so long as you act up to your feelings; and if you do, I shall be ever only too willing to even suffer immediate death for your sake. Whether you know this or not, doesn't matter; it's all the same. Yet were you to just do as my heart would have you, you'll afford me a clear proof that you and I are united by close ties and that you are no stranger to me!


Just you mind your own business. If you will treat me well, I'll treat you well. And what need is there to put an end to yourself for my sake? Are you not aware that if you kill yourself, I'll also kill myself? But this demonstrates that you don't wish me to be near to you, and that you really want that I should be distant to you.


What rubbishy trash! I'll smash you to atoms and put an end to the whole question!


What's the use of all this! and why, pray, do you batter that dumb thing about? Instead of smashing it, wouldn't it be better for you to come and smash me!


I'm smashing what belongs to me, and what has that to do with you people?


If you've had a tiff with your cousin, it isn't worth while flinging this down! Had you broken it, how would her heart and face have been able to bear the mortification?


You may, of course, give way to displeasure, but you should, after all, take good care of yourself Miss. You had just taken the medicines and felt the better for them; and here you now begin vomitting again; and all because you've had a few words with our master Secundus. But should your complaint break out afresh how will Mr. Pao bear the blow?


If you don't care for anything else, you should at least have shown some regard for those tassels, strung on the jade, and not have wrangled with Miss Lin.


I have, wasted my energies on them for nothing; for he doesn't prize them. He's certain to find others to string some more fine tassels for him.


Is it worth while going on in this way! But this is all my fault for having blabbered just now what should have been left unsaid.


Cut it, if you like! I will on no account wear it, so it doesn't matter a rap.


why is it, that you were not diligent in your attendance on them. They now start a quarrel, and don't you exert yourselves in the least to restrain them?


We should avail ourselves of this occasion, to go over and look at the plays, and as soon as the two young people come face to face, everything will be squared. In what part of my previous existence could an old sufferer like myself, have incurred such retribution that my destiny is to come across these two troublesome new-fledged foes! Why, not a single day goes by without their being instrumental in worrying my mind! The proverb is indeed correct which says: 'that people who are not enemies are not brought together!' But shortly my eyes shall be closed, this breath of mine shall be snapped, and those two enemies will be free to cause trouble even up to the very skies; for as my eyes will then loose their power of vision, and my heart will be void of concern, it will really be nothing to me. But I couldn't very well stifle this breath of life of mine!


You're a million times to blame, it's you who are entirely at fault! For when some time ago the pages in the establishment, wrangled with their sisters, or when husband and wife fell out, and you came to hear anything about it, you blew up the lads, and called them fools for not having the heart to show some regard to girls; and now here you go and follow their lead. But to-morrow is the fifth day of the moon, a great festival, and will you two still continue like this, as if you were very enemies? If so, our venerable mistress will be the more angry, and she certainly will be driven sick! I advise you therefore to do what's right by suppressing your spite and confessing your fault, so that we should all be on the same terms as hitherto. You here will then be all right, and so will she over there.


As regards what happened the other day, you were, after all, Miss, a little too hasty; for if others don't understand that temperament of Pao-yü's, have you and I, surely, also no idea about it? Besides, haven't there been already one or two rows on account of that very jade?


Ts'ui! Have you come, on behalf of others, to find fault with me? But how ever was I hasty?


Why did you, take the scissors and cut that tassel when there was no good reason for it? So isn't Pao-yü less to blame than yourself, Miss? I've always found his behaviour towards you, Miss, without a fault. It's all that touchy disposition of yours, which makes you so often perverse, that induces him to act as he does. This sounds like Pao-yü's voice. I expect he's come to make his apologies.


I won't have any one open the door,


Here you are in the wrong again, Miss. How will it ever do to let him get a sunstroke and come to some harm on a day like this, and under such a scorching sun? that you would never again put your foot inside our door, Master Secundus. But here you are once more and quite unexpectedly!


You have by dint of talking, made much ado of nothing; and why shouldn't I come, when there's no reason for me to keep away? Were I even to die, my spirit too will come a hundred times a day! But is cousin quite well?


She is, physically all right; but, mentally, her resentment is not quite over.


I understand. But resentment, for what? Cousin, are you quite well again? that you're not vexed with me. But had I not come, third parties would have been allowed to notice my absence, and it would have appeared to them as if we had had another quarrel. And had I to wait until they came to reconcile us, would we not by that time become perfect strangers? It would be better, supposing you wish to beat me or blow me up, that you should please yourself and do so now; but whatever you do, don't give me the cold shoulder! my dear cousin


You needn't have come to chaff me! I couldn't presume henceforward to be on friendly terms with you, Master Secundus! You should treat me as if I were gone!


Where are you off to?


I'm going back home,


I'll go along with you then,


But if I die?


Well, if you die. I'll become a bonze.


You must, I presume, be bent upon dying? But what stuff and nonsense is this you're talking? You've got so many beloved elder and younger cousins in your family, and how many bodies will you have to go and become bonzes, when by and bye they all pass away! But to-morrow I'll tell them about this to judge for themselves what your motives are! Ai! can't you speak? Heug! you, this……


You've completely lacerated my heart, and do you still cry? But let's go; I'll come along with you and see our venerable grandmother.


Who wants to go hand in hand with you? Here we grow older day after day, but we're still so full of brazen-faced effrontery that we don't even know what right means?


They're all right! is over there, giving way to anger against heaven and earth. She would insist upon my coming to find out whether you were reconciled or not. 'There's no need for me to go and see,' I told her, 'they will before the expiry of three days, be friends again of their own accord.' Our venerable ancestor, however, called me to account, and maintained that I was lazy; so here I come! But my words have in very deed turned out true. I don't see why you two should always be wrangling! For three days you're on good terms and for two on bad. You become more and more like children. And here you are now hand in hand blubbering! But why did you again yesterday become like black-eyed fighting cocks? Don't you yet come with me to see your grandmother and make an old lady like her set her mind at ease a bit? What do you want them for again? I am here to wait on you! I said that it was superfluous for any one to trouble, as they were sure of themselves to become reconciled; but you, dear ancestor, so little believed it that you insisted upon my going to act the part of mediator. Yet when I got there, with the intention of inducing them to make it up, I found them, though one did not expect it, in each other's company, confessing their faults, and laughing and chatting. Just like a yellow eagle clutching the feet of a kite were those two hanging on to each other. So where was the necessity for any one to go?


On cousin Hsüeh P'an's birth-day. I happened again to be unwell, so not only did I not send him any presents, but I failed to go and knock my head before him. Yet cousin knows nothing about my having been ill, and it will seem to him that I had no wish to go, and that I brought forward excuses so as to avoid paying him a visit. If to-morrow you find any leisure, cousin, do therefore explain matters for me to him.


This is too much punctiliousness! Even had you insisted upon going, we wouldn't have been so arrogant as to let you put yourself to the trouble, and how much less when you were not feeling well? You two are cousins and are always to be found together the whole day; if you encourage such ideas, some estrangement will, after all, arise between you.


Cousin, you know what to say; and so long as you're lenient with me all will be all right. But how is it, that you haven't gone over to see the theatricals?


I couldn't stand the heat I looked on while two plays were being sung, but I found it so intensely hot, that I felt anxious to retire. But the visitors not having dispersed, I had to give as an excuse that I wasn't feeling up to the mark, and so came away at once.


It's no wonder, that they compare you, cousin, to Yang Kuei-fei; for she too was fat and afraid of hot weather.


I may resemble. Yang Kuei-fei, but there's not one of you young men, whether senior or junior, good enough to play the part of Yang Kuo-chung.


It must be you, Miss Pao, who have put my fan away somewhere or other; dear mistress, do let me have it!


You'd better be mindful! With whom have I ever been up to jokes, that you come and suspect me? Have I hitherto laughed and smirked with you? There's that whole lot of girls, go and ask them about it!


what two plays did you hear? What I saw was: 'Li Kuei blows up Sung Chiang and subsequently again tenders his apologies'.