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While conversing, they rinsed their hands; and, when they had agreed to go in a company to dowager lady Chia's and Madame Wang's and inquire after their health, the matrons and servant-maids swept the pavilion and collected and washed the cups and saucers. Hsi Jen proceeded on her way along with P'ing Erh. "Come into my room," said Hsi Jen to P'ing Erh, "and sit down and have another cup of tea."
Pao-yue vehemently put the list away; after which, they all joined in a further chat on irrelevant matters; and, their evening meal over, they once more repaired into old lady Chia's apartments to wish her good-night. Their grandmother had, indeed, had nothing serious the matter with her.
While replying, he made an attempt to take his leave. "Come back," shouted lady Feng, "I've got something more to tell you." "Our venerable senior has sent for me," Pao-yue rejoined; "if you have anything to tell me you must wait till my return." After this explanation, he there and then came over to his grandmother Chia's on this side, where he found that they had already got through their meal.
This did not escape Pao-yue's notice; but all he could do was to secretly give way to amazement. Shortly, however, Pao-ch'ai and her cousin repaired to Mrs. Hsueeh's quarters. Hsiang-yuen then betook herself to dowager lady Chia's apartments, while Lin Tai-yue returned to her room and lay down to rest. Pao-yue thereupon came to look up Tai-yue.
These words were still on his lips, when they perceived a waiting-maid, from dowager lady Chia's apartments, come in quest of Pao-yue and Lin Tai-yue to go and have their meal. Lin Tai-yue, however, did not even call Pao-yue, but forthwith rising to her feet, she went along, dragging the waiting-maid by the hand. "Let's wait for master Secundus, Mr. Pao, to go along with us," demurred the girl.
At the expiration of that time Mr Chên himself reappeared, and, grasping Chia's hand, said to him, "Trustworthy and noble friend, when we last parted the Spirit of Happiness impeached me before God, and my name was erased from the list of angels. But now that you have carried out my request that sentence has been rescinded. Go on as you have begun, without ceasing."
Yu added, "where your mistress, who is so extremely careful, will run through all the money, we've raised! If she can't spend it, why she'll take it along with her in her coffin, and make use of it there." While still speaking, she started on her way to dowager lady Chia's suite of rooms.
"There's no use for him to give me any wine," she ventured. While uttering this response, she raised dowager lady Chia's cup to her lips, and drained the remaining half of the contents; after which, she handed the cup to a waiting-maid, who took one from those which had been rinsed with tepid water, and brought it to her.
After Hsiang Ling, for we will take up the thread of our narrative with her, completed her visits to the various inmates, she had her evening meal. Then when Pao-ch'ai and every one else went to dowager lady Chia's quarters, she came into the Hsiao Hsiang lodge. By this time Tai-yue had got considerably better.
Next in order, she bade lady Feng choose, and lady Feng, had, after all, in spite of madame Wang ranking before her in precedence, to consider old lady Chia's request, and not to presume to show obstinacy by any disobedience. Dowager lady Chia was, of course, still more elated. And after this she speedily went on to ask Tai-yue to choose.
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