How very strange this is to-day! Why, a few minutes back, my mistress, your mother, sent some one to bring me two bowls of viands.


The supply, must have been so plentiful to-day, that they've sent some to every one of you.


It isn't that, for they were distinctly given to me by name. What's more, I wasn't bidden go and knock my head; so this is indeed remarkable!


If they're given to you, why, you had better go and eat them. What's there in this to fill you with conjectures?


There's never been anything like this before, so, it makes me feel uneasy.


If this, makes you feel uneasy, there will be by and bye other things to make you far more uneasy.


I shall come and hold the cords, as soon as I've rinsed my hands.


If you can go about, our mistress desires you, Mr. Pao-yü, to cross over to-morrow and have a little distraction. Her ladyship really longs to see you. Were I able to walk. I would feel it my duty to go and pay my respects to your mistress! Anyhow, the pain is better than before, so request your lady to allay her solicitude. Take, half of the fruits, just received, to Miss Lin as a present. Request her to walk in at once!


Should,


anything turn up henceforward connected with meeting guests, entertaining visitors and other such matters, and your master mean to send for Pao-yü, you can dispense with going to deliver the message. Just you tell him that I say that after the severe thrashing he has had, great care must be first taken of him during several months before he can be allowed to walk; and that, secondly, his constellation is unpropitious and that he could not see any outsider, while sacrifices are being offered to the stars; that I won't have him therefore put his foot beyond the second gate before the expiry of the eighth moon.


A pure and spotless maiden, has likewise gone and deliberately imitated those persons, whose aim is to fish for reputation and to seek praise; that set of government thieves and salaried devils. This result entirely arises from the fact that there have been people in former times, who have uselessly stirred up trouble and purposely fabricated stories with the primary object of enticing the filthy male creatures, who would spring up in future ages, to follow in their steps! And who would have thought it, I have had the misfortune of being born a masculine being! But, even those beautiful girls, in the female apartments, have been so contaminated by this practice that verily they show themselves ungrateful for the virtue of Heaven and Earth, in endowing them with perception, and in rearing them with so much comeliness.


Can't your ladyship fathom even this? Why, their daughters must, I fancy, be servant-girls in Madame Wang's apartments! For her ladyship's rooms four elderly girls are at present allotted with a monthly allowance of one tael; the rest simply receiving several hundreds of cash each month; so now that Chin Ch'uan-erh is dead and gone, these people must, of course, be anxious to try their tricks and get this one-tael job!


That's it. Yes, that's it! You've really suggested the idea to my mind! From all appearances, these people are a most insatiable lot; for they make quite enough in the way of money! And as for any business that requires a little exertion, why they are never ready to bear a share of it! They make use of their girls as so many tools to shove their own duties upon. Yet one overlooks that. But must they too have designs upon this job? Never mind! These people cannot easily afford to spend upon me the money they do. But they bring this upon their own selves, so I'll keep every bit of thing they send. I've, after all, resolved how to act in the matter! Ever since, sister Chin Ch'uan-erh's death, there has been one servant less in your ladyship's service. But you may possibly have set your choice upon some girl; if so, do let me know who it is, so that I may be able to pay her her monthly wages.


I fancy, that the custom is that there should be four or five of them; but as long as there are enough to wait upon me, I don't mind, so we can really dispense with another.


What you say is, properly speaking, perfectly correct, but it's an old established custom. There are still a couple to be found in other people's rooms and won't you, Madame, conform with the rule? Besides, the saving of a tael is a small matter.


Never mind, just you bring over this allowance and pay it to me. And there will be no need to supply another girl. I'll hand over this tael to her younger sister, Yü Ch'uan-erh, and finish with it. Her elder sister came to an unpleasant end, after a long term of service with me; so if the younger sister, she leaves behind in my employ, receives a double share, it won't be any too excessive.


I congratulate you, I congratulate you!


how much Mrs. Chao and Mrs. Chou are allowed monthly?


They have a fixed allowance, each of them draws two taels. But Mrs. Chao gets two taels for cousin Chia Huan, so hers amounts in all to four taels; besides these, four strings of cash.


Are they paid in full month after month?


How are they not paid in full?


The other day. I heard a faint rumour that there was some one, who complained in an aggrieved way that she had got a string short. How and why is this?


The monthly allowances of the servant-girls, attached to the secondary wives, amounted originally to a tiao each, but ever since last year, it was decided, by those people outside, that the shares of each of those ladies' girls should be reduced by half, that is, each to five hundred cash; and, as each lady has a couple of servant-girls, they receive therefore a tiao short. But for this, they can't bear me a grudge. As far as I'm concerned, I would only be too glad to let them have it; but our people outside will again disallow it; so is it likely that I can authorise any increase, pray? In this matter of payments I merely receive the money, and I've nothing to do with how it comes and how it goes. I nevertheless recommended, on two or three occasions, that it would be better if these two shares were again raised to the old amount; but they said that there's only that much money, so that I can't very well volunteer any further suggestions! Now that the funds are paid into my hands, I give them to them every month, without any irregularity of even so much as a day. When payments hitherto were effected outside, what month were they not short of money? And did they ever, on any single instance, obtain their pay at the proper time and date? Eight of them, but there are at present only seven; the other one is Hsi Jen.


Quite right. But your cousin Pao-yü hasn't any maid at one tael; for Hsi Jen is still a servant belonging to old lady Chia's household.


Hsi Jen, is still our dear ancestor's servant; she's only lent to cousin Pao-yü; so that she still receives this tael in her capacity of maid to our worthy senior. Any proposal, therefore, that might now be made, that this tael should, as Hsi Jen is Pao-yü's servant, be curtailed, can, on no account, be entertained. Yet, were it suggested that another servant should be added to our senior's staff, then in this way one could reduce the tael she gets. But if this be not curtailed, it will be necessary to also add a servant in cousin Chia Huan's rooms, in order that there should be a fair apportionment. In fact, Ch'ing Wen, She Yüeh and the others, numbering seven senior maids, receive each a tiao a month; and Chiao Hui and the rest of the junior maids, eight in all, get each five hundred cash per mensem; and this was recommended by our venerable ancestor herself; so how can any one be angry and feel displeasure?


Just listen, to that girl Feng's mouth! It rattles and rattles like a cart laden with walnuts, which has turned topsy-turvy! Yet, her accounts are, from what one can gather, clear enough, and her arguments full of reason.


Aunt, was I likely, pray, wrong in what I said?


Who ever said you were wrong? But were you to talk a little slower, wouldn't it be a saving of exertion for you?


You'd better, select a waiting-maid tomorrow and send her over to our worthy senior to fill up Hsi Jen's place. Then, discontinue that allowance, which Hsi Jen draws, and keep out of the sum of twenty taels, allotted to me monthly, two taels and a tiao, and give them to Hsi Jen. So henceforward what Mrs. Chao and Mrs. Chou will get, Hsi Jen will likewise get, with the only difference that the share granted to Hsi Jen, will be entirely apportioned out of my own allowance. Mind, therefore, there will be no necessity to touch the public funds!


Aunt, have you heard her proposal? What have I all along maintained? Well, my words have actually come out true to-day!


This should have been accomplished long ago. For without, of course, making any allusion to her looks, her way of doing business is liberal; her speech and her relations with people are always prompted by an even temper, while inwardly she has plenty of singleness of heart and eagerness to hold her own. Indeed, such a girl is not easy to come across!


How could you people ever rightly estimate Hsi Jen's qualities? Why, she's a hundred times better than my own Pao-yü. How fortunate, in reality, Pao-yü is! Well would it be if he could have her wait upon him for the whole length of his life!


In that case, why, have her face shaved at once, and openly place her in his room as a secondary wife. Won't this be a good plan?


This won't do! For first and foremost he's of tender years. In the second place, my husband won't countenance any such thing! In the third, so long as Pao-yü sees that Hsi Jen is his waiting-maid, he may, in the event of anything occurring from his having been allowed to run wild, listen to any good counsel she might give him. But were she now to be made his secondary wife, Hsi Jen would not venture to tender him any extreme advice, even when it's necessary to do so. It's better, therefore, to let things stand as they are for the present, and talk about them again, after the lapse of another two or three years.


The draft in this passage is so cool, that I'll stop, and let it play on me a bit before I go on. You people, say that I've been talking to her all this while, but Madame Wang conjured up all that has occurred for the last two hundred years and questioned me about it; so could I very well not have anything to say in reply? But from this day forth, I shall do several mean things, and should even (Mrs. Chao and Mrs. Chou) go, out of any ill-will, and tell Madame Wang, I won't know what fear is for such stupid, glib-tongued, foul-mouthed creatures as they, who are bound not to see a good end! It isn't for them to indulge in those fanciful dreams of becoming primary wives, for there, will come soon a day when the whole lump sum of their allowance will be cut off! They grumble against us for having now reduced the perquisites of the servant-maids, but they don't consider whether they deserve to have so many as three girls to dance attendance on them!


You're really far too scrupulous. Are there still flies or mosquitos in here? and why do yet use that fly-flap for, to drive what away?


Miss, you came upon me so unawares that you gave me quite a start! You don't know, Miss, that though there be no flies or mosquitoes there is, no one would believe it, a kind of small insect, which penetrates through the holes of this gauze; it is scarcely to be detected, but when one is asleep, it bites just like ants do!


It isn't to be wondered at, for the back of these rooms adjoins the water; the whole place is also one mass of fragrant flowers, and the interior of this room is, too, full of their aroma. These insects grow mostly in the core of flowers, so no sooner do they scent the smell of any than they at once rush in. Ai-yah! what very beautiful work! For whom is this, that it's worth your while wasting so much labour on it? Does a big strapping fellow like this, still wear such things?


He would never wear any before, that's why such a nice one was specially worked for him, in order that when he was allowed to see it, he should not be able to do otherwise than use it. With the present hot weather, he goes to sleep anyhow, but as he has been coaxed to wear it, it doesn't matter if even he doesn't cover himself well at night. You say that I bestow much labour upon this, but you haven't yet seen the one he has on!


It is a lucky thing, that you're gifted with such patience.


I've done so much of it to-day, that my neck is quite sore from bending over it. My dear Miss, do sit here a little. I'll go out for a turn. I'll be back shortly.


Come along! Hsi Jen, I remember, said that she would be going at noon to wash some clothes at the pond. I presume she's there already so let's go and join her.


How can, one ever believe what bonzes and Taoist priests say? What about a match between gold and jade? My impression is that it's to be a union between a shrub and a stone!


Hasn't he yet woke up?


I just came across,


Miss Lin and Miss Shih. Did they happen to come in?


I didn't see them come in. Did they tell you anything?


They simply came out with some of those jokes of theirs. What decent things could such as they have had to tell me?


They made insinuations to-day, which are anything but a joke! I was on the point of telling you them, when you rushed away in an awful hurry. It must be on account of what they hinted,


I'll see now, whether you'll go back home or not. On your return, after your last visit to your people, you stated that your brother wished to redeem you, adding that this place was no home for you, and that you didn't know what would become of you in the long run. You freely uttered all that language devoid of feeling and reason, and enough too to produce an estrangement between us, in order to frighten me; but I'd like to see who'll henceforward have the audacity to come and ask you to leave!


You shouldn't say such things! From henceforward I shall be our Madame Wang's servant, so that, if I choose to go I needn't even breathe a word to you. All I'll have to do will be to tell her, and then I shall be free to do as I like.


But supposing that I behaved improperly, and that you took your leave after letting mother know, you yourself will be placed in no nice fix, when people get wind that you left on account of my having been improper.


What no nice fix! Is it likely that I am bound to serve even highway robbers? Well, failing anything else, I can die; for human beings may live a hundred years, but they're bound, in the long run, to fall a victim to death! And when this breath shall have departed, and I shall have lost the sense of hearing and of seeing, all will then be well!


Enough! enough! that will do. There's no necessity for you to utter language of this kind.


What human being is there that can escape death? But the main thing is to come to a proper end! All that those abject male creatures excel in is, the civil officers, to sacrifice their lives by remonstrating with the Emperor; and, the military, to leave their bones on the battlefield. Both these deaths do confer, after life is extinct, the fame of great men upon them; but isn't it, in fact, better for them not to die? For as it is absolutely necessary that there should be a disorderly Emperor before they can afford any admonition, to what future fate do they thus expose their sovereign, if they rashly throw away their lives, with the sole aim of reaping a fair name for themselves? War too must supervene before they can fight; but if they go and recklessly lay down their lives, with the exclusive idea of gaining the reputation of intrepid warriors, to what destiny will they abandon their country by and bye? Hence it is that neither of these deaths can be looked upon as a legitimate death.


Loyal ministers, and excellent generals simply die because it isn't in their power to do otherwise.


Military officers, place such entire reliance upon brute force that they become lax in their stratagems and faulty in their plans. It's because they don't possess any inherent abilities that they lose their lives. Could one therefore, pray, say that they had no other alternative? Civil officials, on the other hand, can still less compare with military officers. They read a few passages from books, and commit them to memory; and, on the slightest mistake made by the Emperor, they're at once rash enough to remonstrate with him, prompted by the sole idea of attaining the fame of loyalty and devotion. But, as soon as their stupid notions have bubbled over, they forfeit their lives, and is it likely that it doesn't lie within their power to do otherwise? Why, they should also bear in mind that the Emperor receives his decrees from Heaven; and, that were he not a perfect man, Heaven itself would, on no account whatever, confer upon him a charge so extremely onerous. This makes it evident therefore that the whole pack and parcel of those officers, who are dead and gone, have invariably fallen victims to their endeavours to attain a high reputation, and that they had no knowledge whatever of the import of the great principle of right! Take me as an instance now. Were really mine the good fortune of departing life at a fit time, I'd avail myself of the present when all you girls are alive, to pass away. And could I get you to shed such profuse tears for me as to swell out into a stream large enough to raise my corpse and carry it to some secluded place, whither no bird even has ever wended its flight, and could I become invisible like the wind, and nevermore from this time, come into existence as a human being, I shall then have died at a proper season.


I'm hoarse. The Empress the other day called us into the palace; but I couldn't sing even then.


Wait a while, until Mr. Ch'iang Secundus comes; and when he asks her to sing, she is bound to sing.


Where's brother Ch'iang gone to?


He's just gone out. Of course, Ling Kuan must have wanted something or other, and he's gone to devise ways and means to bring it to her.


What kind of bird is that? Can it hold a flag in its beak, or do any tricks?


It's the 'jade-crested and gold-headed bird,'


How much did you give for it?


A tael and eight mace. Come and see this thing.


What's it?


I've bought a bird for you to amuse yourself with, so that you mayn't daily feel dull and have nothing to distract yourself with. But I'll first play with it and let you see.


How nice;


Isn't it enough, that your family entraps a fine lot of human beings like us and coops us up in this hole to study this stuff and nonsense, but do you also now go and get a bird, which likewise is, as it happens, up to this sort of thing? You distinctly fetch it to make fun of us, and mimick us, and do you still ask me whether I like it or not?


How ever could I have been such a fool to-day, as to go and throw away a tael or two to purchase this bird? I really did it in the hope that it would afford you amusement. I never for a moment entertained such thoughts as those you credit me with. But never mind; I'll let it go, and save you all this misery!


This bird, differs, it's true, from a human being; but it too has a mother and father in its nest, and could you have had the heart to bring it here to perform these silly pranks? In coughing to-day, I expectorated two mouthfuls of blood, and Madame Wang sent some one here to find you so as to tell you to ask the doctor round to minutely diagnose my complaint, and have you instead brought this to mock me with? But it so happens that I, who have not a soul to look after me, or to care for me, also have the fate to fall ill!


Yesterday evening. I asked the doctor about it. He said that it was nothing at all, that you should take a few doses of medicine, and that he would be coming again in a day or two to see how you were getting on. But who'd have thought it, you have again to-day expectorated blood. I'll go at once and invite him to come round.


Do you go off in a tantrum in this hot broiling sun? You may ask him to come, but I won't see him.


I was very wrong in what I said yesterday evening. It's no matter of surprise that father says that I am so narrow-minded that I look at things through a tube and measure them with a clam-shell. I mentioned something last night about having nothing but tears, shed by all of you girls, to be buried in. But this was a mere delusion! So as I can't get the tears of the whole lot of you, each one of you can henceforward keep her own for herself, and have done.


You are verily somewhat cracked!


Who, I wonder, will shed tears for me, at my burial?


I just saw, my maternal aunt, who hearing that to-morrow is Miss Hsüeh's birthday, bade me come at my convenience to ask you whether you'll go or not, (and to tell you) to send some one ahead to let them know what you mean to do.


I didn't go the other day, when it was Mr. Chia She's birthday, so I won't go now. If it is a matter of meeting any one, I won't go anywhere. On a hot day like this to again don my ceremonial dress! No, I won't go. Aunt is not likely to feel displeased with me!


What are you driving at? She couldn't be put on the same footing as our senior master! She lives close by here. Besides she's a relative. Why, if you don't go, won't you make her imagine things? Well, if you dread the heat, just get up at an early hour and go over and prostrate yourself before her, and come back again, after you've had a cup of tea. Won't this look well?


You should, go as far as there for the sake of her, who drives the mosquitoes away from you.


What about driving mosquitoes away? It shouldn't have been done! But how did I manage to go to sleep and show such utter discourtesy to her? I must go to-morrow!


Should our venerable senior not think of me do often allude to me, so that she should depute some one to fetch me.


It quite slipped from my mind. I meant to have gone and seen my cousin Tertia; is she better that you come?


Miss is all right. She hasn't even had any medicine to-day. It's only a slight chill.


My third cousin, is the one eminently polished; I'll go at once to-day and talk matters over with her.


Mr. Yün, presents his compliments to you. He is waiting for you at the back gate. This is a note he bade me bring you.


Has he come alone? Or has he any one else with him?


He's got two flower pots as well,


You go and tell him, that I've informed myself of the contents of his note, and that there are few who think of me as he does! If you also take the flowers and, put them in my room, it will be all right.


I'm not a boor, so when the idea casually crossed my mind, I wrote a few notes to try and see who would come. But who'd have thought that, as soon as I asked you, you would all come.


It's unfortunately late. We should have started this society long ago.


You can't call this late! so why give way to regret! The only thing is, you must form your society, without including me in the number; for I daren't be one of you.


If you daren't, who can presume to do so?


This is, a legitimate and great purpose; and we should all exert our energies. You shouldn't be modest, and I yielding; but every one of us, who thinks of anything, should freely express it for general discussion. So senior cousin Pao-ch'ai do make some suggestion; and you junior cousin Lin Tai-yü say something.


What are you in this hurry for? We are not all here yet.


It's an excellent proposal, this of starting a poetical society. I recommend myself as controller. Some time ago in spring, I thought of this, 'but,' I mused, 'I am unable to compose verses, so what's the use of making a mess of things?' This is why I dispelled the idea from my mind, and made no mention about it. But since it's your good pleasure, cousin Tertia, to start it, I'll help you to set it on foot.


As you've made up your minds, to initiate a poetical society, every one of us will be poets, so we should, as a first step, do away with those various appellations of cousin and uncle and aunt, and thus avoid everything that bears a semblance of vulgarity.


First rate, and why should we not fix upon some new designations by which to address ourselves? This will be a far more refined way! As for my own, I've selected that of the 'Old farmer of Tao Hsiang;' so let none of you encroach on it.


I'll then call myself the 'resident-scholar of the Ch'iu Shuang,' and have done,


'Resident-scholar or master' is, in fact, not to the point. It's clumsy, besides. The place here is full of dryandra and banana trees, and if one could possibly hit upon some name bearing upon the dryandra and banana, it would be preferable.


I've got one. I'll style myself 'the guest under the banana trees.'


How uncommon! It's a nice one! be quick and drag her away and stew some slices of her flesh, for people to eat with their wine. says: 'The banana leaves shelter the deer,' and as she styles herself the guest under the banana tree, is she not a deer? So be quick and make pieces of dried venison of her.


Don't be in a hurry! You make use of specious language to abuse people; but I've thought of a fine and most apposite name for you! In days gone by, an imperial concubine, Nü Ying, sprinkled her tears on the bamboo, and they became spots, so from olden times to the present spotted bamboos have been known as the 'Hsiang imperial concubine bamboo.' Now she lives in the Hsiao Hsiang lodge, and has a weakness too for tears, so the bamboos over there will by and bye, I presume, likewise become transformed into speckled bamboos; every one therefore must henceforward call her the 'Hsiao Hsiang imperial concubine' and finish with it.


I've also, devised a suitable name for senior cousin, Hsüeh Pao-chai. It too is one of three characters.


What's it?


I'll raise her to the rank of 'Princess of Heng Wu,' I wonder what you all think about this.


This title of honour, is most apposite.


What about mine? You should try and think of one for me also!


Your style has long ago been decided upon. It consists of three words: 'fussing for nothing!' It's most pat!


You should, after all, retain your old name of 'master of the flowers in the purple cave,' That will do very well.


Those were some of the doings of my youth; why rake them up again?


Your styles are very many, and what do you want to choose another for? All you've got to do is to make suitable reply when we call you whatever takes our fancy.


I must however give you a name. There's a very vulgar name, but it's just the very thing for you. What is difficult to obtain in the world are riches and honours; what is not easy to combine with them is leisure. These two blessings cannot be enjoyed together, but, as it happens, you hold one along with the other, so that we might as well dub you the 'rich and honourable idler.'


It won't do; it isn't suitable. It's better that you should call me, at random, whatever you like.


What names are to be chosen for Miss Secunda and Miss Quarta?


We also don't excel in versifying; what's the use consequently of giving us names, all for no avail?


In spite of this, it would be well to likewise find something for you!


She lives in the Tzu Ling Chou, (purple caltrop Isle), so let us call her 'Ling Chou,' As for that girl Quarta, she lives in the On Hsiang Hsieh, (lotus fragrance pavilion); she should thus be called On Hsieh and have done!


These will do very well! But as far as age goes, I am the senior, and you should all defer to my wishes; but I feel certain that when I've told you what they are, you will unanimously agree to them. We are seven here to form the society, but neither I, nor Miss Secunda, nor Miss Quarta can write verses; so if you will exclude us three, we'll each share some special duties.


Their names have already been chosen, and do you still keep on addressing them like this? Well, in that case, won't it be as well for them to have no names? But we must also decide upon some scale of fines, for future guidance, in the event of any mistakes. Well,


There will be ample time to fix upon a scale of fines after the society has been definitely established. There's plenty of room over in my place so let's hold our meetings there. I'm not, it is true, a good hand at verses, but if you poets won't treat me disdainfully as a rustic boor, and if you will allow me to play the hostess, I may certainly also gradually become more and more refined. As for conceding to me the presidentship of the society, it won't be enough, of course, for me alone to preside; it will be necessary to invite two others to serve as vice-presidents; you might then enlist Ling Chou and Ou Hsieh, both of whom are cultured persons. The one to choose the themes and assign the metre, the other to act as copyist and supervisor. We three cannot, however, definitely say that we won't write verses, for, if we come across any comparatively easy subject and metre, we too will indite a stanza if we feel so disposed. But you four will positively have to do so. If you agree to this, well, we can proceed with the society; but, if you don't fall in with my wishes, I can't presume to join you.


Your proposals, may be right enough; but in my views they are ridiculous. For here I've had the trouble of initiating this idea of a society, and, instead of my having anything to say in the matter, I've been the means of making you three come and exercise control over me.


Well then, let's go to the Tao Hsiang village.


You're always in a hurry! We're here to-day to simply deliberate. So wait until I've sent for you again.


It would be well, that we should also decide every how many days we are to meet.


If we meet too often, there won't be fun in it. We should simply come together two or three times in a month.


It will be ample if we meet twice or thrice a month. But when the dates have been settled neither wind nor rain should prevent us. Exclusive, however, of these two days, any one in high spirits and disposed to have an extra meeting can either ask us to go over to her place, or you can all come to us; either will do well enough! But won't it be more pleasant if no hard-and-fast dates were laid down?


This suggestion is excellent,


This idea was primarily originated by me, and I should be the first to play the hostess, so that these good spirits of mine shouldn't all go for nothing.


Well, after this remark, what do you say to your being the first to convene a meeting to-morrow?


To-morrow, is not as good as to-day; the best thing is to have it at once! You'd better therefore choose the subjects, while Ling Chou can fix the metre, and Ou Hsieh act as supervisor.


According to my ideas, we shouldn't yield to the wishes of any single person in the choice of themes and the settlement of the rhythm. What would really be fair and right would be to draw lots.


When I came just now. I noticed them bring in two pots of white begonias, which were simply beautiful; and why should you not write some verses on them?


Can we write verses, before we have as yet seen anything of the flowers?


They're purely and simply white begonias, and is there again any need to see them before you put together your verses? Men of old merely indited poetical compositions to express their good cheer and conceal their sentiments; had they waited to write on things they had seen, why, the whole number of their works would not be in existence at present!


In that case, let me fix the metre. Just utter, the first character that comes to your mouth.


door.


The rhyme then will be the word 'door,' under the thirteenth character 'Yuan.' The final word of the first line is therefore 'door'.


p'en, hun, hen and hun,


The two characters pot and door, are not very easy to rhyme with.


have you finished?


As for finishing, I have finished, but they're worth nothing.


Have you heard? they've all done!


Don't concern yourself about me!


Dreadful! There only remains an inch of the stick and I've only just composed four lines. The incense stick is nearly burnt out, and what do you keep squatting on that damp ground like that for? I can't be looking after you! Whether good or bad, I'll write mine out too and have done.


We'll now peruse the verses, and if by the time we've done, you haven't as yet handed up your papers, you'll have to be fined.


Old farmer of Tao Hsiang, you're not, it is true, a good hand at writing verses, but you can read well, and, what's more, you're the fairest of the lot; so you'd better adjudge the good and bad, and we'll submit to your judgment.


Of course!


After all, it's the Princess of Heng Wu, who expresses herself to the point. Princess of Heng Wu,


Have you all done?


This stanza ranks above all! As regards beauty of thought and originality, this stanza certainly deserves credit, but as regards pregnancy and simplicity of language, it, after all, yields to that of Heng Wu.


This criticism is right. That of the Hsiao Hsiang consort must take second place.


Yours, gentleman of I Hung, is the last of the lot. Do you agreeably submit to this verdict?


My stanza, isn't really worth a straw. Your criticism is exceedingly fair. But, the two poems, written by Heng Wu and Hsiao Hsiang, have still to be discussed.


You should, fall in with my judgment; this is no business of any of you, so whoever says anything more will have to pay a penalty. I decide that from henceforward, we should hold meetings twice every month, on the second and sixteenth. In the selection of themes and the settlement of the rhymes, you'll all have then to do as I wish. But any person who may, during the intervals, feel so disposed, will be at perfect liberty to choose another day for an extra meeting. What will I care if there's a meeting every day of the moon? It will be no concern of mine, so long as when the second and sixteenth arrive, you do, as you're bound to, and come over to my place.


We should, as is but right, choose some name or other for our society.


Were an ordinary one chosen, it wouldn't be nice, and anything too new-fangled, eccentric or strange won't also be quite the thing! As luck would have it, we've just started with the poems on the begonia, so let us call it the 'Begonia Poetical Society.' This title is, it's true, somewhat commonplace; but as it's positively based on fact, it shouldn't matter.


This silver, is a present for the boys, who carried the flowers; and these cash are for you to buy yourselves a cup of tea with. Are there, any servant-boys on duty outside the back gate?


There are four of them every day,


They're put there with the sole idea of attending to any orders that might be given them from inside. But, Miss, if you've anything to order them to do, we'll go and deliver your message.


What orders can I have to give them? Mr. Pao, our master Secundus, was purposing to send some one to-day to the young marquis' house to take something over to Miss Shih. But you come at an opportune moment so you might, on your way out, tell the servant-boys at the back gate to hire a carriage; and on its return you can come here and get the money. But don't let them rush recklessly against people in the front part of the compound! Where is the white cornelian tray with twisted threads gone to?


It was taken to Miss Tertia's with a present of lichees, and it hasn't as yet been returned.


There are plenty of articles, for sending over things on ordinary occasions; and do you deliberately go and carry this off?


Didn't I maintain the same thing? But so well did this tray match with the fresh lichees it contained, that when I took it over, Miss T'an Ch'un herself noticed the fact.


How splendid,


and lo, putting even the tray by, she never had it brought over. But, look! hasn't the pair of beaded vases, which stood on the very top of that shelf, been fetched as yet?


The mention of these vases, reminds me again of a funny incident. Whenever our Mr. Pao-yü's filial piety is aroused, he shows himself filial over and above the highest degree! The other day, he espied the olea flowers in the park, and he plucked two twigs. His original idea was to place them in a vase for himself, but a sudden thought struck him.


These are flowers, which have newly opened in our garden, so how can I presume to be the first to enjoy them?


And actually taking down that pair of vases, he filled them with water with his own hands, put the flowers in, and, calling a servant to carry them, he in person took one of the vases into dowager lady Chia's, and then took the other to Madame Wang's. But, as it happens, even his attendants reap some benefit, when once his filial feelings are stirred up! As luck would have it, the one who carried the vases over on that day was myself. The sight of these flowers so enchanted our venerable lady that there was nothing that she wouldn't do.


Pao-yü, is the one, after all, who shows me much attention. So much so, that he has even thought of bringing me a twig of flowers! And yet, the others bear me a grudge on account of the love that I lavish on him!


Our venerable mistress, you all know very well, has never had much to say to me. I have all along not been much of a favourite in the old lady's eyes. But on that occasion she verily directed some one to give me several hundreds of cash.


I was to be pitied, for being born with a weak physique!


This was, indeed, an unforeseen piece of good luck! The several hundreds of cash are a mere trifle; but what's not easy to get is this sort of honour! After that, we went over into Madame Wang's. Madame Wang was, at the time, with our lady Secunda, Mrs. Chao, and a whole lot of people; turning the boxes topsy-turvey, trying to find some coloured clothes her ladyship had worn long ago in her youth, so as to give them to some one or other. Who it was, I don't know. But the moment she saw us, she did not even think of searching for any clothes, but got lost in admiration for the flowers. Our lady Secunda was also standing by, and she made sport of the matter. She extolled our master Pao, for his filial piety and for his knowledge of right and wrong; and what with what was true and what wasn't, she came out with two cart-loads of compliments. These things spoken in the presence of the whole company so added to Madame Wang's lustre and sealed every one's mouth, that her ladyship was more and more filled with gratification, and she gave me two ready-made clothes as a present. These too are of no consequence; one way or another, we get some every year; but nothing can come up to this sort of lucky chance!


Psha! you are indeed a mean thing, who has seen nothing of the world! She gave the good ones to others and the refuse to you; and do you still pat on all this side?


No matter whether what she gave me was refuse or not, it's, after all, an act of bounty on the part of her ladyship.


Had it been myself. I would at once have refused them! It wouldn't have mattered if she had given me what had been left by some one else; but we all stand on an equal footing in these rooms, and is there any one, forsooth, so much the more exalted or honorable than the other as to justify her taking what is good and bestowing it upon her and giving me what is left? I had rather not take them! I might have had to give offence to Madame Wang, but I wouldn't have put up with such a slight!


To whom did she give any in these rooms? I was unwell and went home for several days, so that I am not aware to whom any were given. Dear sister, do tell me who it is so that I may know.


Were I to tell you, is it likely that you would return them at this hour to Madame Wang?


What nonsense. Ever since I've heard about it, I've been delighted and happy. No matter if she even bestowed upon me what remained from anything given to a dog in these rooms, I would have been thankful for her ladyship's kindness. I wouldn't have worried my mind with anything else!


Doesn't she know how to jeer in fine style!


for weren't they given to that foreign spotted pug dog?


You lot of filthy-tongued creatures! when you've got nothing to do, you make me the scapegoat to crack your jokes, and poke your fun at! But what kind of death will, I wonder, each of you have!


Was it verily you, sister, who got them? I assure you I had no idea about it! I tender you my apologies.


You might be a little less domineering! The thing now is, who of you will go and fetch the tray.


The vases too, must be got back when there's any time to spare; for there's nothing to say about our venerable mistress' quarters, but Madame Wang's apartments teem with people and many hands. The rest are all right; but Mrs. Chao and all that company will, when they see that the vase hails from these rooms, surely again foster evil designs, and they won't feel happy until they've done all they can to spoil it! Besides, Madame Wang doesn't trouble herself about such things. So had we not as well bring it over a moment sooner?


What you say is perfectly right, so you'd better let me go and fetch it.


I'll, after all, go for it. You can go and get that tray of yours!


You should let me once go for something! Whenever any lucky chance has turned up, you've invariably grabbed it; and can it be that you won't let me have a single turn?


Altogether, that girl Ch'iu Wen got a few clothes just once; can such a lucky coincidence present itself again today that you too should find them engaged in searching for clothes?


Albeit I mayn't come across any clothes, our Madame Wang may notice how diligent I am, and apportion me a couple of taels out of her public expenses; there's no saying. Don't you people, try and play your pranks with me; for is there anything that I don't twig?


Just go first and wash, comb your hair and put on your out-of-door clothes, and then come back as I want to send you at once with a present to Miss Shih.


Miss, just give me what you have; and, if you have any message, tell it me; so that when I've tidied myself I may go straightway.


All these fresh fruits are newly plucked this year from our own garden, our Mr. Secundus sends them to Miss Shih to taste. The other day, too, she was quite taken with this cornelian tray so let her keep it for her use. In this silk bag she'll find the work, which she asked me some time ago to do for her. (Tell her) that she mustn't despise it for its coarseness, but make the best of it and turn it to some account. Present respects to her from our part and inquire after her health on behalf of Mr. Pao-yü; that will be all there's to say.


Has Mr. Pao, I wonder, anything more for me to tell her? Miss, do go and inquire, so that on my return, he mayn't again say that I forgot.


He was just now, over there in Miss Tertia's rooms, wasn't he?


They were all assembled there, deliberating about starting some poetical society or other, and they all wrote verses too. But I fancy he's got no message to give you; so you might as well start.


I forgot all about her! I knew very well that I had something to attend to; but I couldn't remember what it was! Luckily, you've alluded to her! I was just meaning to ask her to come, for what fun will there be in this poetical society without her?


Is this of any serious import? It's all, for the mere sake of recreation! She's not however able to go about at her own free will as you people do. Nor can she at home have her own way. When you therefore let her know, it won't again rest with her, however willing she may be to avail herself of your invitation. And if she can't come, she will long and crave to be with you all, so isn't it better that you shouldn't be the means of making her unhappy?


Never mind! I'll tell our venerable senior to despatch some one to bring her over.


She also inquired, what you, master Secundus, were up to, and I told her that you had started some poetical club or other with the young ladies and that you were engaged in writing verses. Miss Shih wondered why it was, if you were writing verses, that you didn't even mention anything to her; and she was extremely distressed about it.


It's too late to-day, they'll go tomorrow, as soon as it's daylight.


Don't, allow her to see them! First tell her the rhymes and number of feet; and, as she comes late, she should, as a first step, pay a penalty by conforming to the task we had to do. Should what she writes be good, then she can readily be admitted as a member of the society; but if not good, she should be further punished by being made to stand a treat; after which, we can decide what's to be done.


You've forgotten to ask me round, and I should, after all, fine you people! But produce the metre; for though I don't excel in versifying, I shall exert myself to do the best I can, so as to get rid of every slur. If you will admit me into the club, I shall be even willing to sweep the floors and burn the incense.


I have, stuck to the metre and written two stanzas. Whether they be good or bad, I cannot say; all I've kept in view was to simply comply with your wishes.


We thought our four stanzas,


had so thoroughly exhausted everything that could be imagined on the subject that another stanza was out of the question, and there you've devised a couple more! How could there be so much to say? These must be mere repetitions of our own sentiments.


This,


is not writing verses on the begonia for no purpose! We must really start a Begonia Society!


To-morrow, first fine me by making me stand a treat, and letting me be the first to convene a meeting; may I?


This would be far better!


If you want, to hold a meeting, you have to pay the piper. And albeit it's for mere fun, you have to make every possible provision; for while consulting your own interests, you must guard against giving umbrage to people. In that case every one will afterwards be happy and contented. You count for nothing too in your own home; and the whole lump sum of those few tiaos, you draw each month, are not sufficient for your own wants, and do you now also wish to burden yourself with this useless sort of thing? Why, if your aunt gets wind of it, won't she be more incensed with you than ever! What's more, even though you might fork out all the money you can call your own to bear the outlay of this entertainment with, it won't be anything like enough, and can it possibly be, pray, that you would go home for the express purpose of requisitioning the necessary funds? Or will you perchance ask for some from in here? I have already fixed upon a plan in my mind. There's an assistant in our pawnshop from whose family farm come some splendid crabs. Some time back, he sent us a few as a present, and now, starting from our venerable senior and including the inmates of the upper quarters, most of them are quite in love with crabs. It was only the other day that my mother mentioned that she intended inviting our worthy ancestor into the garden to look at the olea flowers and partake of crabs, but she has had her hands so full that she hasn't as yet asked her round. So just you now drop the poetical meeting, and invite the whole crowd to a show; and if we wait until they go, won't we be able to indite as many poems as we like? But let me speak to my brother and ask him to let us have several baskets of the fattest and largest crabs he can get, and to also go to some shop and fetch several jars of luscious wine. And if we then lay out four or five tables with plates full of refreshments, won't we save trouble and all have a jolly time as well? The proposal I've made. is prompted entirely by my sincere feelings for you; so whatever you do don't be touchy and imagine that I look down upon you; for in that case we two will have been good friends all in vain. But if you won't give way to suspicion, I'll be able to tell them at once to go and get things ready.


My dear cousin, if you say these things it's you who treat me with suspicion; for no matter how foolish a person I may be, as not to even know what's good and bad, I'm still a human being! Did I not regard you, cousin, in the same light as my own very sister, I wouldn't last time have had any wish or inclination to disclose to you every bit of those troubles, which ordinarily fall to my share at home.


The themes for the verses, mustn't also be too out-of-the-way. Just search the works of old writers, and where will you find any eccentric and peculiar subjects, or any extra difficult metre! If the subject be too much out-of-the-way and the metre too difficult, one cannot get good verses. In a word, we are a mean lot and our verses are certain, I fear, to consist of mere repetitions. Nor is it advisable for us to aim at excessive originality. The first thing for us to do is to have our ideas clear, as our language will then not be commonplace. In fact, this sort of thing is no vital matter; spinning and needlework are, in a word, the legitimate duties of you and me. Yet, if we can at any time afford the leisure, it's only right and proper that we should take some book, that will benefit both body and mind, and read a few chapters out of it.


I'm now cogitating in my mind, that as the verses we wrote yesterday treated of begonias, we should, I think, compose on this occasion some on chrysanthemums, eh? What do you say?


Chrysanthemums are in season. The only objection to them is that too many writers of old have made them the subject of their poems.


I also think so, so that, I fear, we shall only be following in their footsteps.


I've hit upon something! If we take, for the present instance, the chrysanthemums as a secondary term, and man as the primary, we can, after all, select several themes. But they must all consist of two characters: the one, an empty word; the other, a full one. The full word might be chrysanthemums; while for the empty one, we might employ some word in general use. In this manner, we shall, on one hand, sing the chrysanthemum; and, on the other, compose verses on the theme. And as old writers have not written much in this style, it will be impossible for us to drift into the groove of their ideas. Thus in versifying on the scenery and in singing the objects, we will, in both respects, combine originality with liberality of thought.


This is all very well. The only thing is what kind of empty words will, I wonder, be best to use? Just you first think of one and let me see.


Dream of chrysanthemums is good.


It's positively good! I've also got one: 'the Chrysanthemum shadow,' will that do?


Well enough, the only objection is that people have written on it; yet if the themes are to be many, we might throw this in. I've got another one too!


Be quick, and tell it!


What do you say to 'ask the Chrysanthemums?'


Capital. I've thought of one also. It is, search for chrysanthemums; what's your idea about it? Ten don't form a set. We'd better complete them by raising their number to twelve; they'll then also be on the same footing as people's pictures and books.


Well, since we've got so far, let's go one step further and copy them out in their proper order, putting those that are first, first; and those that come last, last.


It would be still better like that, as we'll be able to make up a 'chrysanthemum book.'


The first stanza should be: 'Longing for chrysanthemums,' and as one cannot get them by wishing, and has, in consequence, to search for them, the second should be 'searching for chrysanthemums.' After due search, one finds them, and plants them, so the third must be: 'planting chrysanthemums.' After they've been planted, they, blossom, and one faces them and enjoys them, so the fourth should be 'facing the chrysanthemums.' By facing them, one derives such excessive delight that one plucks them and brings them in and puts them in vases for one's own delectation, so the fifth must be 'placing chrysanthemums in vases.' If no verses are sung in their praise, after they've been placed in vases, it's tantamount to seeing no point of beauty in chrysanthemums, so the sixth must be 'sing about chrysanthemums.' After making them the burden of one's song, one can't help representing them in pictures. The seventh place should therefore be conceded to 'drawing chrysanthemums.' Seeing that in spite of all the labour bestowed on the drawing of chrysanthemums, the fine traits there may be about them are not yet, in fact, apparent, one impulsively tries to find them out by inquiries, so the eighth should be 'asking the chrysanthemums.' As any perception, which the chrysanthemums might display in fathoming the questions set would help to make the inquirer immoderately happy, the ninth must be 'pinning the chrysanthemums in the hair.' And as after everything has been accomplished, that comes within the sphere of man, there will remain still some chrysanthemums about which something could be written, two stanzas on the 'shadow of the chrysanthemums,' and the 'dream about chrysanthemums' must be tagged on as numbers ten and eleven. While the last section should be 'the withering of the chrysanthemums' so as to bring to a close the sentiments expressed in the foregoing subjects. In this wise the fine scenery and fine doings of the third part of autumn, will both alike be included in our themes. I do not, as a rule, like hard-and-fast rhymes. It's evident enough that we can have good verses without them, so what's the use of any rhymes to shackle us? Don't let us imitate that mean lot of people. Let's simply choose our subject and pay no notice to rhymes. Our main object is to see whether we cannot by chance hit upon some well-written lines for the sake of fun. It isn't to make this the means of subjecting people to perplexities.


What you say is perfectly right. In this manner our poetical composition will improve one step higher. But we only muster five members, and there are here twelve themes. Is it likely that each one of us will have to indite verses on all twelve?


That would be far too hard on the members! But let's copy out the themes clean, for lines with seven words will have to be written on every one, and stick them to-morrow on the wall for general perusal. Each member can write on the subject which may be most in his or her line. Those, with any ability, may choose all twelve. While those, with none, may only limit themselves to one stanza. Both will do. Those, however, who will show high mental capacity, combined with quickness, will be held the best. But any one, who shall have completed all twelve themes, won't be permitted to hasten and begin over again; we'll have to fine such a one, and finish.


Yes, that will do,


Which is the best spot?


We are ready to go wherever you may like, dear senior,


A collation has already been spread in the Lotus Fragrance Arbour. Besides, the two olea plants, on that hill, yonder, are now lovely in their full blossom, and the water of that stream is jade-like and pellucid, so if we sit in the pavilion in the middle of it, won't we enjoy an open and bright view? It will be refreshing too to our eyes to watch the pool.


Quite right!


Venerable ancestor, just walk boldly and with confident step; there's nothing to fear; it's the way of these bamboo bridges to go on creaking like this.


It was a capital idea, to bring tea here. What's more, the spot and the appurtenances are alike so spick and span!


These things were brought by cousin Pao-ch'ai, so I got them ready.


This child is, I say, so scrupulously particular, that everything she does is thoroughly devised.


Long ago, when I was young, we likewise had at home a pavilion like this called 'the Hall reclining on the russet clouds,' or some other such name. At that time, I was of the same age as the girls, and my wont was to go day after day and play with my sisters there. One day, I, unexpectedly, slipped and fell into the water, and I had a narrow escape from being drowned; for it was after great difficulty, that they managed to drag me out safe and sound. But my head was, after all, bumped about against the wooden nails; so much so, that this hole of the length of a finger, which you can see up to this day on my temple, comes from the bruises I sustained. All my people were in a funk that I'd be the worse for this ducking and continued in fear and trembling lest I should catch a chill. 'It was dreadful, dreadful!' they opined, but I managed, little though every one thought it, to keep in splendid health.


Had you then not survived, who would now be enjoying these immense blessings! This makes it evident that no small amount of happiness and long life were in store for you, venerable ancestor, from your very youth up! It was by the agency of the spirits that this hole was knocked open so that they might fill it up with happiness and longevity! The old man Shou Hsing had, in fact, a hole in his head, which was so full of every kind of blessing conducive to happiness and long life that it bulged up ever so high!


This monkey is given to dreadful tricks! She's always ready to make a scapegoat of me to evoke amusement. But would that I could take that glib mouth of yours and rend it in pieces.


It's because I feared that the cold might, when you by and bye have some crabs to eat, accumulate in your intestines, that I tried to induce you, dear senior, to have a laugh, so as to make you gay and merry. For one can, when in high spirits, indulge in a couple of them more with impunity.


By and bye. I'll make you follow me day and night, so that I may constantly be amused and feel my mind diverted; I won't let you go back to your home.


It's that weakness of yours for her, venerable senior, that has got her into the way of behaving in this manner, and, if you go on speaking to her as you do, she'll soon become ever so much the more unreasonable.


I like her such as she is. Besides, she's truly no child, ignorant of the distinction between high and low. When we are at home, with no strangers present, we ladies should be on terms like these, and as long, in fact, as we don't overstep propriety, it's all right. If not, what would be the earthly use of making them behave like so many saints?


You'd better, not bring in too many crabs at a time. Throw these again into the steaming-basket! Only serve ten; and when they're eaten, a fresh supply can be fetched!


They'll be sweeter were I to open them with my own hands, there's no need for any one to serve me.


Make the wine as warm as possible and bring it in! Go, and fetch the powder, made of green beans, and scented with the leaves of chrysanthemums and the stamens of the olea fragrans; and keep it ready to rinse our hands with. You're not accustomed to entertaining, so go and have your share to eat. I'll attend to the people for you first, and, when they've gone, I'll have all I want.


Lady Secunda, you're in here doing the honours, so may I go and have something to eat?


You can all go, leave everything in my charge, and it will be all right.


What has your ladyship come out again for? Do let us also enjoy a little peace and quiet!


This chit Yüan Yang is worse than ever! Here I'm slaving away for you, and, instead of feeling grateful to me, you bear me a grudge! But don't you yet quick pour me a cup of wine? Pour plenty of ginger and vinegar! You people, had better sit down and have something to eat, for I'm off now.


You brazen-faced thing, to eat what was intended for us!


Don't be so captious with me! Are you aware that your master Secundus, Mr. Lien, has taken such a violent fancy to you that he means to speak to our old lady to let you be his secondary wife!


Ts'ui! Are these really words to issue from the mouth of a lady! But if I don't daub your face all over with my filthy hands, I won't feel happy!


My dear child, do let me off this time!


Lo, that girl Yüan, wishes to smear her, and that hussey P'ing still spares her! Look here, she has scarcely had two crabs, and she has drunk a whole saucerful of vinegar!


I'll take you minx with that cajoling tongue of yours and….


Ai-yah! You stupid wench! Have you by gorging lost your eyesight that you recklessly smudge your mistress' face?


O-mi-to-fu, this is a distinct retribution!


Tell us, what it is so that we too should have a laugh.


Our lady Secunda, came to steal our crabs and eat them, and P'ing Erh got angry and daubed her mistress' face all over with yellow meat. So our mistress and that slave-girl are now having a scuffle over it.


Do have pity on her, and let her have some of those small legs and entrails to eat, and have done!


Mistress Secunda, you're at liberty to eat this whole tableful of legs!


There's plenty of wind here. Besides, you've just had crabs; so it would be prudent for you, venerable senior, to return home and rest. And if you feel in the humour, we can come again for a turn to-morrow.


Quite true! I was afraid that if I left, now that you're all in exuberant spirits, I mightn't again be spoiling your fun, (so I didn't budge). But as the idea originates from yourselves do go as you please, (while I retire). But, don't allow your cousin Secundus, Pao-yü, and your cousin Lin to have too much to eat. You two girls, must not also have more than is good for you. Those things are, it's true, luscious, but they're not very wholesome; and if you eat immoderately of them, why, you'll get stomachaches.


There's no use of any regular spread out! When you are about to write verses, that big round table can be put in the centre and the wines and eatables laid on it. Neither will there be any need to ceremoniously have any fixed seats. Let those who may want anything to eat, go up to it and take what they like; and if we seat ourselves, scattered all over the place, won't it be far more convenient for us?


Your idea is excellent!


This is all very well, but there are others to be studied besides ourselves!


They're full of originality,


we fear we couldn't write anything on them.


Yes, quite right! I myself don't fancy hard and fast rhymes!


You girls had better go on eating, and let me help myself; there'll be some fun in it then! I've eaten only a little bit of crab, and yet I feel my mouth slightly sore; so what would do for me now is a mouthful of very hot distilled spirit.


There's some distilled spirit. Take some of that wine, scented with acacia flowers, and warm a tankard of it. My dear cousin. I've already got four lines of the second theme so let me write on it!


I managed, after ever so much difficulty, to put a stanza together, and are you now in such a hurry to deprive me of it?


If there's no one to write on 'Pinning the chrysanthemums' do let me have it! It has just been ruled, that it is on no account permissible to introduce any expressions, bearing reference to the inner chambers, so you'd better be on your guard! You too should get a style or other!


In our home, there exist, it is true, at present several halls and structures, but as I don't live in either, there'll be no fun in it were I to borrow the name of any one of them!


Our venerable senior just said, that there was also in your home a water-pavilion called 'leaning on russet clouds hall,' and is it likely that it wasn't yours? But albeit it doesn't exist now-a-days, you were anyhow its mistress of old.


She's right!


Let me now criticise them; I'll do so with all fairness! As I glance over the page. I find that each of you has some distinct admirable sentiments; but in order to be impartial in my criticism to-day, I must concede the first place to: 'Singing the chrysanthemums;' the second to: 'Asking the chrysanthemums;' and the third to: 'Dreaming of chrysanthemums.' The original nature of the themes makes the verses full of originality, and their conception still more original. But we must allow to the 'Hsiao Hsiang consort' the credit of being the best; next in order following: 'Pinning chrysanthemums in the hair,' 'Facing the chrysanthemums,' 'Putting the chrysanthemums, in vases,' 'Drawing the chrysanthemums,' and 'Longing for chrysanthemums,' as second best.


Quite right! it's most just,


My verses are worth nothing! Their fault, after all, is that they are a little too minutely subtile.


They are subtile but good, for there's no artificialness or stiffness about them.


According to my views, the best line is: 'When cold holdeth the park and the sun's rays do slant, I long and yearn for you, old friends.' The metonomy: 'I fling my book aside and turn my gaze upon a twig of autumn.' is already admirable! She has dealt so exhaustively with 'putting chrysanthemums in a vase' that she has left nothing unsaid that could be said, and has had in consequence to turn her thought back and consider the time anterior to their being plucked and placed in vases. Her sentiments are profound!


What you say is certainly so, but that line of yours: 'Some scent I hold by the side of my mouth,….' beats that.


After all, we must admit that there's depth of thought in those of the 'Princess of Heng Wu' with: '…in autumn all trace of you is gone;' and '…my dreams then know something of you!' They really make the meaning implied by the words 'long for' stand out clearly.


Those passages of yours: 'Cold is the short hair on his temples and moistened….' and 'His flaxen turban is suffused with the sweet fragrance….;' likewise bring out the idea of 'pinning the chrysanthemums in the hair' so thoroughly that one couldn't get a loop hole for fault-finding.


'…who is meet with you to stay' and '…burst the last in bloom.' are questions so straight to the point set to the chrysanthemums, that they are quite at a loss what answer to give.


Were what you say: 'I sit with head uncovered….' and '…clasping my knees, I hum my lays….' as if you couldn't, in fact, tear yourself away for even a moment from them, to come to the knowledge of the chrysanthemums, why, they would certainly be sick and tired of you.


I'm last again! Is it likely that: 'Who plants the flowers?…. …in autumn where do they go? With sandals waxed I come from distant shores;…. …and as on this cold day I can't exhaust my song;….' do not all forsooth amount to searching for chrysanthemums? And that 'Last night they got a shower…. And this morn … bedecked with frost,' don't both bear on planting them? But unfortunately they can't come up to these lines: 'Some scent I hold by the side of my mouth and turning to the moon I sing my sentiments.' 'In their pure and cool fragrance, clasping my knees I hum my lays.' '…short hair on his temples….' 'His flaxen turban…. …golden tinge is faint. …verdure is all past. …in autumn … all trace of you is gone. …my dreams then know something of you.' But to-morrow, if I have got nothing to do, I'll write twelve stanzas my self.


Yours are also good, the only thing is that they aren't as full of original conception as those other lines, that's all.


I've already thought of a few; but will any of you again have the pluck to devise any?


I could readily compose a hundred stanzas with such verses in no time,


Your mental energies are now long ago exhausted, and instead of confessing your inability to devise any, you still go on heaping invective upon people!


As my compositions can't come up to yours. I'll burn it. Yours is capital, much better than the lines you wrote a little time back on the chrysanthemums, so keep it for the benefit of others.


I've likewise succeeded, after much effort, in putting together a stanza. It cannot, of course, be worth much, but I'll put it down for fun's sake.


Excellent! She abuses in fine style! But my lines should also be committed to the flames.


What is your mistress up to? How is it she hasn't come? But, she said, she hasn't anything good to eat, so she bade me, as she couldn't possibly run over, come and find out whether there be any more crabs or not; (if there be), she enjoined me to ask for a few to take to her to eat at home.


There are plenty!


I'll take a few more of the female ones,


I insist upon your sitting down. It's so evident that you've only got that woman Feng in your thoughts as you don't listen to any of my words! Tell her, that I've kept P'ing Erh here.


Lady Secunda, says that you, lady Chu, and our young mistresses must not make fun of her for having asked for something to eat; and that in this box you'll find cakes made of water-lily powder, and rolls prepared with chicken fat, which your maternal aunt, on the other side, just sent for your ladyship and for you, young ladies, to taste. That she bids you, come over on duty, but your mind is so set upon pleasure that you loiter behind and don't go back. She advises you, however, not to have too many cups of wine. Were I even to have too much, what could she do to me?


What a pity it is, that a girl with such good looks as you should have so ordinary a fortune as to simply fall into that room as a menial! But wouldn't any one, who is not acquainted with actual facts, take you for a lady and a mistress?


Don't rub me like that! It makes me feel quite ticklish.


Ai-yo! What's this hard thing?


It's a key,


You've primed yourself with wine, my lady, and here you once more chaff me and make a laughing-stock of me.


This is really quite true. Whenever we've got nothing to do, and we talk matters over, (we're quite unanimous) that not one in a hundred could be picked out to equal you girls in here. The beauty is that each one of you possesses her own good qualities!


In every thing, whether large or small, a heavenly principle rules alike. Were there, for instance, no Yüan Yang in our venerable senior's apartments, how would it ever do? Commencing with Madame Wang herself, who is it who could muster sufficient courage to expostulate with the old lady? Yet she plainly has the pluck to put in her remonstrances with her; and, as it happens, our worthy ancestor lends a patient ear to only what she says and no one else. None of the others can remember what our old senior has in the way of clothes and head-ornaments, but she can remember everything; and, were she not there to look after things, there is no knowing how many would not be swindled away. That child besides is so straightforward at heart, that, despite all this, she often puts in a good word for others, and doesn't rely upon her influence to look down disdainfully upon any one!


It was only yesterday, that our dear ancestor said that she was ever so much better than the whole lot of us!


She's certainly splendid! How could we rise up to her standard?


Ts'ai Hsia, who is in mother's rooms, is a good sort of girl!


Of course she is! But she's good enough as far as external appearances go, but inwardly she's a sly one! Madame Wang is just like a joss; she does not give her mind to any sort of business; but this girl is up to everything; and it is she who in all manner of things reminds her mistress what there is to be done. She even knows everything, whether large or small, connected with Mr. Chia Cheng's staying at home or going out of doors; and when at any time Madame Wang forgets, she, from behind the scenes, prompts her how to act.


Well, never mind about her! But were, no Hsi Jen in this young gentleman's quarters, just you imagine what a pitch things would reach! That vixen Feng may truly resemble the prince Pa of the Ch'u kingdom; and she may have two arms strong enough to raise a tripod weighing a thousand catties, but had she not this maid (P'ing Erh), would she be able to accomplish everything so thoroughly?


In days gone by, four servant-girls came along with her, but what with those who've died and those who've gone, only I remain like a solitary spirit.


You're, after all, the fortunate one! but our hussey Feng too is lucky in having you! Had I not also once, just remember, two girls, when your senior master Chu was alive? Am I not, you've seen for yourselves, a person to bear with people? But in such a surly frame of mind did I find them both day after day that, as soon as your senior master departed this life, I availed myself of their youth (to give them in marriage) and to pack both of them out of my place. But had either of them been good for anything and worthy to be kept, I would, in fact, have now had some one to give me a helping hand!


Come into my room, and sit down and have another cup of tea.


I won't have any tea just now. I'll come some other time.


This month's allowances, haven't yet been issued, not even to our old mistress and Madame Wang; why is it?


Drop these questions at once! They're sure, anyhow, to be issued in a couple of days.


Why is it, that this gives you such a start?


This month's allowances, have long ago been obtained in advance by our mistress Secunda and given to people for their own purposes; and it's when the interest has been brought from here and there that the various sums will be lumped together and payment be effected. I confide this to you, but, mind, you mustn't go and tell any other person about it.


Is it likely that she hasn't yet enough money for her own requirements? Or is it that she's still not satisfied? And what's the use of her still going on bothering herself in this way?


Isn't it so! From just handling the funds for this particular item, she has, during these few years, so manipulated them as to turn up several hundreds of taels profit out of them. Nor does she spend that monthly allowance of hers for public expenses. But the moment she accumulates anything like eight or ten taels odd, she gives them out too. Thus the interest on her own money alone comes up to nearly a thousand taels a year.


You and your mistress take our money, and get interest on it; fooling us as if we were no better than idiots.


Here you are again with your uncharitable words! Can it be that you haven't yet enough to meet your own expenses with?


I am, it's true, not short of money, as I have nowhere to go and spend it; but the thing is that I'm making provision for that fellow of ours, (Pao-yü).


If you ever find yourself in any great straits and need money, you're at liberty to take first those few taels I've got over there to suit your own convenience with, and by and bye I can reduce them from what is due to you and we'll be square.


I'm not in need of any just now. But should I not have enough, when I want some, I'll send some one to fetch them, and finish.


Our lady, has something for you to do, and is waiting for you. What's up that it's so pressing? Our senior mistress detained me by force to have a chat, so I couldn't manage to get away. But here she time after time sends people after me in this manner!


Whether you go or not is your own look out. It isn't worth your while getting angry with me! If you dare, go and tell these things to our mistress!


Miss, how do you do? All at home, send you their compliments. I meant to have come earlier and paid my respects to my lady and to look you up, miss; but we've been very busy on the farm. We managed this year to reap, after great labour, a few more piculs of grain than usual. But melons, fruits and vegetables have also been plentiful. These things, you see here, are what we picked during the first crop; and as we didn't presume to sell them, we kept the best to present to our lady and the young ladies to taste. The young ladies must, of course, be surfeited with all the delicacies and fine things they daily get, but by having some of our wild greens to eat, they will show some regard for our poor attention. Many thanks for all the trouble you have taken!


There's a joyous air about your face to-day, Miss, and your eye-balls are all red,


Naturally! I generally don't take any wine, but our senior mistress, and our young ladies caught hold of me and insisted upon pouring it down my throat. I had no alternative therefore but to swallow two cups full; so my face at once flushed crimson.


I have a longing for wine, but there's no one to offer me any. But when any one by and by invites you, Miss, do take me along with you!


Early this morning, I caught a glimpse of those crabs. Only two or three of them would weigh a catty; so in those two or three huge hampers, there must have been, I presume, seventy to eighty catties! If some were intended for those above as well as for those below; they couldn't, nevertheless, I fear, have been enough.


How could every one have had any? Those simply with any name may have tasted a couple of them; but, as for the rest, some may have touched them with the tips of their hands, but many may even not have done as much.


Crabs of this kind! cost this year five candareens a catty; ten catties for five mace; five times five make two taels five, and three times five make fifteen; and adding what was wanted for wines and eatables, the total must have come to something over twenty taels. O-mi-to-fu! why, this heap of money is ample for us country-people to live on through a whole year!


I expect you have seen our lady?


Yes, I have seen her. She bade us wait. It's getting quite late. We must be going, or else we mayn't be in time to get out of the city gates; and then we'll be in a nice fix.


Quite right. I'll go and see what she's up to for you. Good fortune has, indeed, descended upon you, old dame! Why, you've won the consideration of those two ladies!


What about it?


Lady Secunda, was with our venerable lady, so I gently whispered to her: 'old goody Liu wishes to go home; it's getting late and she fears she mightn't be in time to go out of the gates!' 'It's such a long way off!' Our lady Secunda rejoined, 'and she had all the trouble and fatigue of carrying that load of things; so if it's too late, why, let her spend the night here and start on the morrow!' Now isn't this having enlisted our mistress' sympathies? But not to speak of this! Our old lady also happened to overhear what we said, and she inquired: 'who is old goody Liu?' Our lady Secunda forthwith told her all. 'I was just longing,' her venerable ladyship pursued, 'for some one well up in years to have a chat with; ask her in, and let me see her!' So isn't this coming in for consideration, when least unexpected?


With a figure like this of mine, how could I very well appear before her? My dear sister-in-law, do tell her that I've gone!


Get on! Be quick! What does it matter? Our old lady has the highest regard for old people and the greatest pity for the needy! She's not one you could compare with those haughty and overbearing people! But I fancy you're a little too timid, so I'll accompany you as far as there, along with Mrs. Chou.


Miss! Miss!


What have you again got to say?


It's pretty late just now, and mother is ill and wants me to go and call the doctor, so I would, dear Miss, like to have half a day's leave; may I?


Your doings are really fine! You've agreed among yourselves that each day one of you should apply for furlough; but instead of speaking to your lady, you come and bother me! The other day that Chu Erh went, Mr. Secundus happened not to want him, so I assented, though I also added that I was doing it as a favour; but here you too come to-day!


It's quite true that his mother is sick, so, Miss, do say yes to him also, and let him go!


Be back as soon as it dawns to-morrow! Wait, I've got something for you to do, for you'll again sleep away, and only turn up after the sun has blazed away on your buttocks. As you go now, give a message to Wang Erh! Tell him that our lady bade you warn him that if he does not hand over the balance of the interest due by to-morrow, she won't have anything to do with him. So he'd better let her have it to meet her requirements and finish.


My obeisance to you, star of longevity!


Venerable relative, how old are you this year?


I'm seventy-five this year,


So old and yet so hardy! Why she's older than myself by several years! When I reach that age, I wonder whether I shall be able to move!


We people have, to put up, from the moment we come into the world, with ever so many hardships; while your venerable ladyship enjoys, from your birth, every kind of blessing! Were we also like this, there'd be no one to carry on that farming work.


Are your eyes and teeth still good?


They're both still all right. The left molars, however, have got rather shaky this year.


As for me, I'm quite an old fossil. I'm no good whatever. My eyesight is dim; my ears are deaf, my memory is gone. I can't even recollect any of you, old family connections. When therefore any of our relations come on a visit, I don't see them for fear lest I should be ridiculed. All I can manage to eat are a few mouthfuls of anything tender enough for my teeth; and I can just dose a bit or, when I feel in low spirits, I distract myself a little with these grandsons and grand-daughters of mine; that's all I'm good for.


This is indeed your venerable ladyship's good fortune! We couldn't enjoy anything of the kind, much though we may long for it.


What good fortune! I'm a useless old thing, no more. I heard our lady Feng say a little while back, that you had brought a lot of squash and vegetables, and I told her to put them by at once. I had just been craving to have newly-grown melons and vegetables; but those one buys outside are not as luscious as those produced in your farms.


This is the rustic notion, to entirely subsist on fresh things! Yet, we long to have fish and meat for our fare, but we can't afford it.


I've found a relative in you to-day, so you shouldn't go empty-handed! If you don't despise this place as too mean, do stay a day or two before you start! We've also got a garden here; and this garden produces fruits too; you can taste some of them to-morrow and take a few along with you home, in order to make it look like a visit to relatives.


Our place here, isn't, it's true, as spacious as your threshing-floor; but as we've got two vacant rooms, you'd better put up in them for a couple of days, and choose some of your village news and old stories and recount them to our worthy senior.


Now you, vixen Feng, don't raise a laugh at her expense! She's only a country woman; and will an old dame like her stand any chaff from you?


What with all the sowing we have to do in our fields and the vegetables we have to plant, have we ever in our village any leisure to sit with lazy hands from year to year and day to day; no matter whether it's spring, summer, autumn or winter, whether it blows or whether it rains? Yea, day after day all that we can do is to turn the bare road into a kind of pavilion to rest and cool ourselves on! But what strange things don't we see! Last winter, for instance, snow fell for several consecutive days, and it piled up on the ground three or four feet deep. One day, I got up early, but I hadn't as yet gone out of the door of our house when I heard outside the noise of firewood (being moved). I fancied that some one must have come to steal it, so I crept up to a hole in the window; but, lo, I discovered that it was no one from our own village.


It must have been, some wayfarers, who being smitten with the cold, took some of the firewood, they saw ready at hand, to go and make a fire and warm themselves with! That's highly probable!


It was no wayfarers at all, and that's what makes the story so strange. Who do you think it was, venerable star of longevity? It was really a most handsome girl of seventeen or eighteen, whose hair was combed as smooth as if oil had been poured over it. She was dressed in a deep red jacket, a white silk petticoat….


It's nothing much,


don't frighten our old mistress!


The fire has been already extinguished, please, dear ancestor, repair into your rooms!


What was that girl up to, taking the firewood in that heavy fall of snow? What, if she had got frostbitten and fallen ill?


It was the reference made recently to the firewood that was being abstracted, that brought about this fire; and do you still go on asking more about it? Leave this story alone, and tell us something else!


In our village, and on the eastern side of our farmstead, there lives an old dame, whose age is this year, over ninety. She goes in daily for fasting, and worshipping Buddha. Who'd have thought it, she so moved the pity of the goddess of mercy that she gave her this message in a dream: 'It was at one time ordained that you should have no posterity, but as you have proved so devout, I have now memorialised the Pearly Emperor to grant you a grandson!' The fact is, this old dame had one son. This son had had too an only son; but he died after they had with great difficulty managed to rear him to the age of seventeen or eighteen. And what tears didn't they shed for him! But, in course of time, another son was actually born to him. He is this year just thirteen or fourteen, resembles a very ball of flower, (so plump is he), and is clever and sharp to an exceptional degree! So this is indeed a clear proof that those spirits and gods do exist!


Yesterday. We put cousin Shih to a lot of trouble and inconvenience, so, when we get back, we must consult about convening a meeting, and, while returning her entertainment, we can also invite our venerable ancestor to come and admire the chrysanthemums; what do you think of this?


Our worthy senior, has intimated that she means to give a banquet to return cousin Shih's hospitality, and to ask us to do the honours. Let's wait therefore until we partake of grandmother's collation, before we issue our own invitations; there will be ample time then to do so.


The later it gets, the cooler the weather becomes, and our dear senior is not likely to enjoy herself.


Grandmother, is also fond of rain and snow, so wouldn't it be as well to wait until the first fall, and then ask her to come and look at the snow. This will be better, won't it? And were we to recite our verses with snow about us, it will be ever so much more fun!


To hum verses in the snow, won't, in my idea, be half as nice as building up a heap of firewood and then stealing it, with the flakes playing about us. This will be by far more enjoyable!


The truth is, that there stands on the north bank of the ditch in our village a small ancestral hall, in which offerings are made, but not to spirits or gods. There was in former days some official or other…


No matter about names or surnames! There's no need for you to recall them to memory! Just mention the facts; they'll be enough.


This official, had no son. His offspring consisted of one young daughter, who went under the name of Jo Yü, (like Jade). She could read and write, and was doated upon by this official and his consort, just as if she were a precious jewel. But, unfortunately, when this young lady, Jo Yü, grew up to be seventeen, she contracted some disease and died.


What happened after that?


So incessantly, did this official and his consort think of their child that they raised this ancestral hall, erected a clay image of their young daughter Jo Yü in it, and appointed some one to burn incense and trim the fires. But so many days and years have now elapsed that the people themselves are no more alive, the temple is in decay, and the image itself is become a spirit.


It hasn't become a spirit. Human beings of this kind may, the rule is, die, yet they are not dead.


O-mi-to-fu! is it really so! Had you, sir, not enlightened us, we would have remained under the impression that she had become a spirit! But she repeatedly transforms herself into a human being, and there she roams about in every village, farmstead, inn and roadside. And the one I mentioned just now as having taken the firewood is that very girl! The villagers in our place are still consulting with the idea of breaking this clay image and razing the temple to the ground.


Be quick and dissuade them! Were they to raze the temple to the ground, their crime won't be small.


It's lucky that you told me, Sir. When I get back to-morrow, I'll make them relinquish the idea and finish!


Our venerable senior and my mother, are both charitable persons. In fact, all the inmates of our family, whether old or young, do, in like manner, delight in good deeds, and take pleasure in distributing alms. Their greatest relish is to repair temples, and to put up images to the spirits; so to-morrow, I'll make a subscription and collect a few donations for you, and you can then act as incense-burner. When sufficient money has been raised, this fane can be repaired, and another clay image put up; and month by month I'll give you incense and fire money to enable you to burn joss-sticks; won't this be A good thing for you?


In that case. I shall, thanks to that young lady's good fortune, have also a few cash to spend.


Have you discovered the place?


Master, you didn't catch distinctly the directions given you, and you made me search in a nice way! The name of the place and the bearings can't be those you gave me, Sir; that is why I've had to hunt about the whole day long! I prosecuted my inquiries up to the very ditch on the north east side, before I eventually found a ruined temple.


Old goody Liu, is a person well up in years, and she may at the moment have remembered wrong; it's very likely she did. But recount to me what you saw.


The door of that temple, really faces south, and is all in a tumble-down condition. I searched and searched till I was driven to utter despair. As soon, however, as I caught sight of it, 'that's right,' I shouted, and promptly walked in. But I at once discovered a clay figure, which gave me such a fearful start, that I scampered out again; for it looked as much alive as if it were a real living being.


It can metamorphose itself into a human being, so, of course, it has more or less a life-like appearance.


Was it ever a girl? Why it was, in fact, no more than a green-faced and red-haired god of plagues.


You are, in very truth, a useless fool! Haven't you even enough gumption for such a trifling job as this?


What book, I wonder, have you again been reading, master? Or you may, perhaps, have heard some one prattle a lot of trash and believed it as true! You send me on this sort of wild goose chase and make me go and knock my head about, and how can you ever say that I'm good for nothing?


Don't be impatient! You can go again some other day, when you've got nothing to attend to, and institute further inquiries! If it turns out that she has hood-winked us, why, there will, naturally, be no such thing. But if, verily, there is, won't you also lay up for yourself a store of good deeds? I shall feel it my duty to reward you in a most handsome manner.


The young ladies in our venerable ladyship's apartments are standing at the threshold of the second gate and looking out for you, Mr. Secundus.


Be quick and go. They're waiting to speak to you.


I've got a plan to suggest,


As there are to be no outside guests, the eatables too should not be limited to any kind or number. A few of such dishes, as have ever been to the liking of any of us, should be fixed upon and prepared for the occasion. Neither should any banquet be spread, but a high teapoy can be placed in front of each, with one or two things to suit our particular tastes. Besides, a painted box with partitions and a decanter. Won't this be an original way?


Capital! Go and tell the people in the cook house, to get ready to-morrow such dishes as we relish, and to put them in as many boxes as there will be people, and bring them over. We can have breakfast too in the garden.


You're very busy, our senior lady!


I told you that you wouldn't manage to start yesterday, but you were in a hurry to get away.


Your worthy old lady, wouldn't let me go. She wanted me to enjoy myself too for a day before I went.


Our mistress Lien says, that she fears that the high teapoys which are out are not enough, and she thinks it would be as well to open the loft and take out those that are put away and use them for a day. Our lady should really have come and seen to it in person, but as she has something to tell Madame Wang, she begs your ladyship to open the place, and get a few servants to bring them out.


Be careful with them. Don't be bustling about just as if you were being pursued by ghosts! Mind you don't break the tenons! old dame, go upstairs too and have a look!


come


I fancy, that our dowager lady will feel disposed (to go on the water), so you'd better also get the poles, oars and awnings for the boats and keep them in readiness. Dear venerable senior, you must be in good spirits to have come in here! Imagining that you hadn't as yet combed your hair, I just plucked a few chrysanthemums, meaning to send them to you.


Come over here, and put on a few flowers.


Let me deck you up!


I wonder, what blessings I have brought upon my head that such honours are conferred upon it to-day!


Don't you yet pull them away, and chuck them in her face! She has got you up in such a way as to make a regular old elf of you!


I'm an old hag, I admit, but when I was young, I too was pretty and fond of flowers and powder! But the best thing I can do now is to keep to such fineries as befit my advanced age!


Is this garden nice or not?


We country-people, do invariably come, at the close of each year, into the city and buy pictures and stick them about. And frequently do we find ourselves in our leisure moments wondering how we too could manage to get into the pictures, and walk about the scenes they represent. I presumed that those pictures were purely and simply fictitious, for how could there be any such places in reality? But, contrary to my expectations, I found, as soon as I entered this garden to-day and had a look about it, that it was, after all, a hundred times better than these very pictures. But if only I could get some one to make me a sketch of this garden, to take home with me and let them see it, so that when we die we may have reaped some benefit!


Look at that young granddaughter of mine! She's got the knack of drawing. So what do you say to my asking her to-morrow to make a picture for you?


My dear Miss! so young in years, and yet so pretty, and so accomplished too! Mightn't you be a spirit come to life!


Come up, old dame, and walk here! Mind the fresh moss is slippery and you might fall.


I don't mind it! We people are accustomed to walking (on such slippery things)! So, young ladies, please proceed. And do look after your embroidered shoes! Don't splash them with mud.


don't you yet raise her up, but stand by giggling?


Just as my mouth was bragging. I got a whack on the lips!


Have you perchance twisted your waist? Tell the servant-girls to pat it for you!


What an idea! am I so delicate? What day ever goes by without my tumbling down a couple of times? And if I had to be patted every time wouldn't it be dreadful!


We won't have any tea! so, miss, you needn't pour any.


This must surely, be some young gentleman's study!


How is it I don't see Pao-yü?


He's in the boat, on the pond,


Who also got the boats ready?


The loft was open just now so they were taken out, and as I thought that you might, venerable senior, feel inclined to have a row, I got everything ready.


Your venerable ladyship, must be in capital spirits to-day to have come at this early hour!


It's only this very minute that I proposed that any one who came late, should be fined, and, who'd have thought it, here you, Mrs. Hsüeh, arrive late! This gauze, may have been nice enough when it was newly pasted, but after a time nothing remained of kingfisher green. In this court too there are no peach or apricot trees and these bamboos already are green in themselves, so were this shade of green gauze to be put up again, it would, instead of improving matters, not harmonise with the surroundings. I remember that we had at one time four or five kinds of coloured gauzes for sticking on windows, so give her some to-morrow to change that on there.


When I opened the store yesterday. I noticed that there were still in those boxes, made of large planks, several rolls of 'cicada wing' gauze of silvery red colour. There were also several rolls with designs of twigs of flowers of every kind, several with 'the rolling clouds and bats' pattern, and several with figures representing hundreds of butterflies, interspersed among flowers. The colours of all these were fresh, and the gauze supple. But I failed to see anything of the kind you speak of. Were two rolls taken (from those I referred to), and a couple of bed-covers of embroidered gauze made out of them, they would, I fancy, be a pretty sight!


Pshaw! every one says that there's nothing you haven't gone through and nothing you haven't seen, and don't you even know what this gauze is? Will you again brag by and bye, after this?


She may have gone through a good deal, but how can she ever presume to pit herself against an old lady like you? So why don't you, venerable senior, tell her what it is so that we too may be edified.


My dear ancestor, do tell me what it is like.


That gauze is older in years than any one of you. It isn't therefore to be wondered, if you make a mistake and take it for 'cicada wing' gauze. But it really bears some resemblance to it; so much so, indeed, that any one, not knowing the difference, would imagine it to be the 'cicada wing' gauze. Its true name, however, is 'soft smoke' silk.


This is also a nice sounding name. But up to the age I've reached, I have never heard of any such designation, in spite of the many hundreds of specimens of gauzes and silks, I've seen.


How long can you have lived? and how many kinds of things can you have met, that you indulge in this tall talk? Of this 'soft smoke' silk, there only exist four kinds of colours. The one is red-blue; the other is russet; the other pine-green; the other silvery-red; and it's because, when made into curtains or stuck on window-frames, it looks from far like smoke or mist, that it is called 'soft smoke' silk. The silvery-red is also called 'russet shadow' gauze. Among the gauzes used in the present day, in the palace above, there are none so supple and rich, light and closely-woven as this!


Not to speak of that girl Feng not having seen it, why, even I have never so much as heard anything of it.


Now isn't this the kind! At first, we simply had it stuck on the window frames, but we subsequently used it for covers and curtains, just for a trial, and really they were splendid! So you had better to-morrow try and find several rolls, and take some of the silvery-red one and have it fixed on the windows for her.


We couldn't, afford to make clothes of such stuff, much though we may long to do so; and won't it be a pity to use it for sticking on windows?


But it doesn't, after all, look well, when made into clothes,


Look at this jacket of mine,


This is also of first-rate quality! This is nowadays made in the palace for imperial use, but it can't possibly come up to this!


It's such thin stuff, and do you still say that it was made in the palace for imperial use? Why, it doesn't, in fact, compare favourably with even this, which is worn by officials!


You'd better search again! I believe there must be more of it! If there be, bring it all out, and give this old relative Liu a couple of rolls! Should there be any red-blue, I'll make a curtain to hang up. What remains can be matched with some lining, and cut into a few double waistcoats for the waiting-maids to wear. It would be sheer waste to keep these things, as they will be spoilt by the damp.