Summary of your 'study carrel' ============================== This is a summary of your Distant Reader 'study carrel'. The Distant Reader harvested & cached your content into a collection/corpus. It then applied sets of natural language processing and text mining against the collection. The results of this process was reduced to a database file -- a 'study carrel'. The study carrel can then be queried, thus bringing light specific characteristics for your collection. These characteristics can help you summarize the collection as well as enumerate things you might want to investigate more closely. This report is a terse narrative report, and when processing is complete you will be linked to a more complete narrative report. Eric Lease Morgan Number of items in the collection; 'How big is my corpus?' ---------------------------------------------------------- 56 Average length of all items measured in words; "More or less, how big is each item?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8154 Average readability score of all items (0 = difficult; 100 = easy) ------------------------------------------------------------------ 83 Top 50 statistically significant keywords; "What is my collection about?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42 Pao 35 Chia 16 Feng 11 Tai 10 Erh 9 Jen 8 Mrs. 7 Wang 7 Hsüeh 7 Hsiang 6 Hsi 5 Wan 5 Liu 5 Cheng 4 Jung 4 Chen 3 Yang 3 Wen 3 Lien 3 Chung 2 like 2 lady 2 Yün 2 Yüeh 2 Yüan 2 Hung 2 Chou 2 Chao 1 yin 1 word 1 taoist 1 day 1 consort 1 Ying 1 Tzu 1 Taoist 1 Shih 1 Ning 1 Mr. 1 Madame 1 Ling 1 Lin 1 Lai 1 Kuo 1 Jui 1 Hsing 1 Hsiao 1 Fairy 1 Chang 1 Buddhist Top 50 lemmatized nouns; "What is discussed?" --------------------------------------------- 1661 lady 1219 day 1057 time 833 thing 710 way 705 word 679 one 648 hand 616 girl 539 room 501 servant 498 year 442 people 434 head 425 place 423 mind 403 side 398 anything 387 family 348 smile 344 eye 337 cousin 332 maid 328 mother 324 heart 323 wife 322 face 312 dowager 308 person 307 flower 300 nothing 290 sister 290 fact 270 tea 266 matter 259 name 257 moment 254 man 252 garden 251 door 247 wine 244 mansion 242 course 240 order 240 company 238 cup 235 remark 235 home 233 other 227 sight Top 50 proper nouns; "What are the names of persons or places?" -------------------------------------------------------------- 2792 Pao 2576 yü 2123 Chia 1051 Feng 767 Tai 628 Erh 624 Hsi 623 Wang 549 Mrs. 526 Jen 486 Hsüeh 485 ch''ai 466 Hsiang 439 Madame 394 lady 363 Li 335 P''ing 335 Lin 323 Ch''un 293 Jung 290 Chen 271 Mr. 268 Cheng 262 Liu 257 yün 247 Wen 230 Yang 229 Ch''in 215 Yü 215 Lien 205 Shih 205 Miss 205 Lady 200 Wan 194 Yüan 185 Chou 178 Hsing 169 Chin 162 Jui 156 Ying 150 Ling 148 Yün 139 Tzu 138 Yu 133 Hung 127 Chung 125 Secundus 119 Ming 117 Hsiao 111 ts''un Top 50 personal pronouns nouns; "To whom are things referred?" ------------------------------------------------------------- 5966 you 5563 she 4698 it 4598 i 4293 he 2638 they 1954 her 1770 them 1573 him 1499 me 1134 we 462 herself 389 us 333 himself 185 yourself 170 themselves 153 myself 137 one 92 yours 77 ''s 64 itself 60 ourselves 25 ours 25 hers 21 mine 19 his 13 theirs 10 thee 4 yourselves 4 ya 1 ye 1 thyself 1 thy 1 hsü 1 fall''n Top 50 lemmatized verbs; "What do things do?" --------------------------------------------- 15689 be 7238 have 2820 do 2212 go 1990 come 1435 say 1256 make 1166 take 1139 give 1044 get 996 see 687 hear 682 ask 673 tell 637 feel 612 smile 606 put 548 let 539 know 494 bring 493 look 491 find 446 laugh 444 observe 403 speak 371 inquire 363 wait 348 stand 344 turn 343 send 337 call 308 keep 306 explain 302 remark 290 think 288 add 283 rejoin 265 reply 259 leave 256 fall 250 walk 244 sit 236 become 232 pay 229 perceive 228 follow 227 cry 224 return 221 catch 216 enter Top 50 lemmatized adjectives and adverbs; "How are things described?" --------------------------------------------------------------------- 4633 not 1688 so 1151 up 974 old 942 well 931 then 918 as 914 out 875 other 790 now 722 also 709 more 707 again 657 over 632 all 621 young 610 just 586 much 581 good 557 in 556 very 548 on 542 only 537 here 525 too 515 even 506 once 502 whole 489 such 453 ever 439 back 438 first 404 own 386 still 374 away 367 long 365 soon 353 few 351 down 339 however 336 off 335 there 331 yet 318 quite 309 right 303 really 285 therefore 283 little 278 several 257 enough Top 50 lemmatized superlative adjectives; "How are things described to the extreme?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 98 least 74 good 41 eld 27 most 22 slight 16 l 10 high 9 great 6 young 6 large 6 faint 4 manif 4 fine 4 early 3 close 2 quick 2 keen 2 furth 2 full 1 warm 1 smart 1 small 1 short 1 near 1 minute 1 meet 1 late 1 j 1 grave 1 foremost 1 few 1 fat 1 fair 1 deep 1 coarse Top 50 lemmatized superlative adverbs; "How do things do to the extreme?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 91 most 12 well 7 least 1 worst Top 50 Internet domains; "What Webbed places are alluded to in this corpus?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 50 URLs; "What is hyperlinked from this corpus?" ---------------------------------------------------- Top 50 email addresses; "Who are you gonna call?" ------------------------------------------------- Top 50 positive assertions; "What sentences are in the shape of noun-verb-noun?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 days gone by 14 yü did not 12 years gone by 10 words were still 10 yü went on 9 feng did not 7 chia went on 6 feng went on 6 yü had not 6 yü put in 6 yü was not 6 yü was so 5 chia gave orders 5 yü had already 4 erh did not 4 girl is sad 4 one does n''t 4 yü was bent 3 erh is n''t 3 feng gave orders 3 feng was not 3 feng was so 3 girl is glad 3 people do n''t 3 people have n''t 3 wang did not 3 yü come back 3 yü had long 3 yü put out 3 yü was just 3 yü was quite 2 ch''ai turned round 2 ch''ai was also 2 ch''ai was not 2 ch''ai was well 2 chia was so 2 day is also 2 day is warm 2 day was far 2 day went by 2 erh came just 2 erh got angry 2 erh was so 2 feng had already 2 feng had long 2 feng is well 2 feng saw very 2 feng was about 2 feng was well 2 girl is joyful Top 50 negative assertions; "What sentences are in the shape of noun-verb-no|not-noun?" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 yü had no help 3 yü had no alternative 3 yü made no reply 1 ch''ai had no alternative 1 day was not far 1 erh did not still 1 erh had no option 1 feng did not even 1 feng had no experience 1 feng had no help 1 feng has no idea 1 girl does not long 1 girl is not easy 1 girls are not fit 1 girls were not equal 1 hands be not swollen 1 jen made no further 1 pao is not very 1 pao tells no lies 1 people are not aware 1 people have no eye 1 people have no mind 1 place was no home 1 servant had no help 1 thing is no vital 1 things are not good 1 time feel no remorse 1 time were no more 1 wang does no longer 1 wang had no alternative 1 year be no older 1 yü did not again 1 yü did not even 1 yü did not however 1 yü gave no ear 1 yü had no means 1 yü had no notion 1 yü had no option 1 yü had no other 1 yü had not as 1 yü had not so 1 yü is no sooner 1 yü was not in 1 yü was not particular Sizes of items; "Measures in words, how big is each item?" ---------------------------------------------------------- 11334 chapter-17 10849 chapter-37 10756 chapter-19 10502 chapter-28 10139 chapter-03 10008 chapter-40 10003 chapter-29 9953 chapter-56 9887 chapter-05 9741 chapter-55 9550 chapter-46 9475 chapter-52 9401 chapter-53 9321 chapter-54 9103 chapter-01 9076 chapter-16 9075 chapter-24 8973 chapter-45 8751 chapter-18 8745 chapter-22 8593 chapter-42 8470 chapter-35 8358 chapter-34 8348 chapter-49 8208 chapter-47 8201 chapter-50 8096 chapter-43 8047 chapter-06 7846 chapter-25 7835 chapter-26 7794 chapter-36 7771 chapter-51 7670 chapter-31 7665 chapter-44 7654 chapter-48 7613 chapter-07 7442 chapter-41 7365 chapter-02 7363 chapter-04 7238 chapter-38 7233 chapter-39 7217 chapter-21 7178 chapter-27 7168 chapter-08 6866 chapter-09 6822 chapter-14 6803 chapter-23 6447 chapter-32 6420 chapter-13 6420 chapter-30 6202 chapter-20 6173 chapter-11 6128 chapter-15 5901 chapter-33 5797 chapter-10 5612 chapter-12 Readability of items; "How difficult is each item to read?" ----------------------------------------------------------- 93.0 chapter-31 92.0 chapter-40 91.0 chapter-50 90.0 chapter-32 90.0 chapter-41 90.0 chapter-51 90.0 chapter-52 89.0 chapter-27 89.0 chapter-28 89.0 chapter-35 89.0 chapter-38 89.0 chapter-39 89.0 chapter-54 88.0 chapter-26 88.0 chapter-30 87.0 chapter-34 87.0 chapter-42 87.0 chapter-45 87.0 chapter-47 87.0 chapter-49 86.0 chapter-25 86.0 chapter-37 86.0 chapter-43 86.0 chapter-46 86.0 chapter-48 86.0 chapter-55 85.0 chapter-08 85.0 chapter-44 84.0 chapter-06 84.0 chapter-07 84.0 chapter-36 83.0 chapter-20 83.0 chapter-29 83.0 chapter-33 83.0 chapter-56 81.0 chapter-19 81.0 chapter-22 80.0 chapter-21 80.0 chapter-53 79.0 chapter-03 79.0 chapter-12 79.0 chapter-24 78.0 chapter-11 77.0 chapter-05 77.0 chapter-09 77.0 chapter-17 76.0 chapter-23 75.0 chapter-15 74.0 chapter-01 74.0 chapter-02 74.0 chapter-10 74.0 chapter-16 72.0 chapter-18 71.0 chapter-04 70.0 chapter-13 70.0 chapter-14 Item summaries; "In a narrative form, how can each item be abstracted?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------- chapter-01 Chen Shih-yin, in a vision, apprehends perception and spirituality. purpose, he made use of such designations as Chen Shih-yin (truth under distance, of a Buddhist bonze and of a Taoist priest coming towards that spiritual lords," Shih-yin continued; "I have just heard the these words he produced it, and handed it over to Shih-yin. To Shih-yin''s eyes his daughter appeared even more beautiful, such a Turning towards Shih-yin, he said to him: "My good Sir, why need you As soon as Yü-ts''un perceived Shih-yin, he lost no time in saluting him. In time the mid-autumn festivities drew near; and Shih-yin, after the Shih-yin gave him no time to conclude. Shih-yin told a servant Huo Ch''i to take Ying Lien to see the Shih-yin being, on the other hand, a man of books and with no experience Shih-yin upon hearing these words, hastily came up to the priest, "What chapter-02 Leng Tzu-hsing dilates upon the Jung Kuo Mansion. "I went home," Tzu-hsing replied, "about the close of last year, but now "The Chia family," replied Tzu-hsing smiling, "whose quarters are in the of the duke of Ning Kuo, his eldest son, Chia Tai-hua, came into the Happily, he had, at an early age, left a son, Chia Chen, behind in the a son, Chia Jung, who is, at this period, just in his sixteenth year. Mr. Ching gives at present no attention to anything at all, so that Mr. Chen naturally devotes no time to his studies, but being bent upon eldest son, Chia Tai-shan, inherited the rank. wife, the daughter of Marquis Shih, a noble family of Chin Ling, by whom The second son Chia Cheng displayed, from his "Quite so!" remarked Tzu-hsing; "there are now three young ladies in the "After Mr. Cheng had this son with the jade," Tzu-hsing added, "his chapter-03 Lin Tai-yü entered the door with the creepers, resting on the hand of a The tea and fruit had by this time been cleared, and dowager lady Chia Madame Hsing led Tai-yü by the hand and they got up into their seats. Tai-yü had in days gone by heard her mother explain that she had a Madame Wang hastily took Tai-yü by the hand, and emerging by the door of "These are your cousin Feng''s rooms," explained madame Wang to Tai-yü, Madame Wang likewise took a seat at old lady Chia''s instance; and the Dowager lady Chia, having inquired of Tai-yü what books she was reading, are my cousins reading?" Tai-yü went on to ask. Pao-yü, thereupon, went up to Tai-yü, and taking a seat next to her, attendance on Tai-yü in the green gauze rooms, while Pao-yü''s wet-nurse, over to pay their respects to dowager lady Chia, after which upon coming chapter-04 Having on a certain day, purchased a servant-girl, she this kidnapper stealthily sold her over again to the Hsüeh family. young Mr. Hsüeh had previously chosen a day, on which he meant to set this, anyhow, there can be no doubt; on a certain day the young man Feng when she heard that young Feng would, after three days, have her taken "Your worship," remarked the Retainer smiling, "displayed, in years gone to the exertions of the Chia and Wang families; and as this Hsüeh P''an kindness, this case to an issue, so that you may again in days to come, the clan of the Hsüeh family, together with a few servants and others, "The Hsüeh family have plenty of money, so that if your Worship Hsüeh P''an had all along heard that the capital was the _one_ place Chia Cheng sent a messenger to tell madame Wang that "''aunt'' Hsüeh had chapter-05 The spirit of Chia Pao-yü visits the confines of the Great Void. family, to come and admire the flowers; and when the day arrived the eagerness: "We got ready in here a room for uncle Pao, so let your One thing is true that in Fairy-land there is no second like her! Twelve girls of Chin Ling." Forthwith stretching out his hand, Pao-yü After reading these lines, Pao-yü looked below, where was pictured a Pao-yü was still bent upon prosecuting his perusal, when the Fairy He again heard the Fairy observe with a smiling face: "Come out all of Fairy promptly took Pao-yü''s hand in her own, and turning towards her To Pao-yü''s eager and incessant inquiries, the Fairy made reply with a she handed to Pao-yü, who took it over; and as he followed the words But to come to Pao-yü. licentious love, and, pushing Pao-yü into the room, she closed the door, chapter-06 Old Goody Liu pays a visit to the Jung Kuo Mansion. "All you old lady know," rejoined Kou Erh, after he had heard what she before the break of day, old goody Liu speedily got up, and having "I''ve come to look up Mr. Chou, an attendant of my lady''s," remarked Goody Liu, having expressed her thanks, forthwith went, leading Pan Erh "She''s a waiting-woman of my lady," replied goody Liu. "This lady Feng," observed goody Liu, "can this year be no older than my dear old goody," said Chou Jui''s wife, after listening to her, side pavilion, where Chou Jui''s wife placed old goody Liu to wait a I''ll wait here for lady Feng to come down, and explain She at once pressed old goody Liu and Pan Erh to take a seat on the When old goody Liu heard the mention made by lady Feng of their chapter-07 heart; but in a short time, Mrs. Chou brought the flowers into the room Mrs. Chou at these words readily came into the room on this side, where seeing Chou Jui''s wife enter, Hsi Ch''un at once asked what she wanted, Ch''un told her waiting-maid, Ju Hua, to come and take over the flowers. "What time did you come over?" then inquired Mrs. Chou of Chih Neng. Chou Jui''s wife: "What have you come here again for, my old lady?" she other side and present them to "madame" Jung, after which she asked Mrs. Chou to express her thanks on her return. Chou Jui''s wife thereupon came over to dowager lady Chia''s room on this "Each one of the young ladies has the same," replied Mrs. Chou; "and "I was told that our madame Wang was over there," explained Mrs. Chou, Presently lady Feng and Mrs. Yu sent another chapter-08 Pao-yü and lady Feng, we will now explain, paid, on their return home, madame Wang, Lin Tai-yü, Pao-yü and others along and went to the play. "Isn''t Hsüeh P''an at home?" Pao-yü having inquired: "He''s like a horse "What are these cold fragrance pills," remarked Pao-yü smiling, "that "It''s a snowy day," consequently remarked Pao-yü''s nurse, dame Li, "and boys to return home." Pao-yü assented, and nurse Li left the room and By this time, Hsüeh Pao Ch''ai and Lin Tai-yü had also finished their repast; and when Pao-yü had drunk a few cups of strong tea, Mrs. Hsüeh "Are you now going or not?" inquired Tai-yü of Pao-yü. Pao-yü readily lowered his head slightly and told a waiting-maid to put While she was speaking, Hsi Hsüeh brought in tea, and Pao-yü pressed his "Of whose family is she the mistress?" inquired Pao-yü of Hsi Hsüeh, as chapter-09 "Who are in attendance upon Pao-yü?" Chia Cheng having inquired, he "My dear cousin," rejoined Pao-yü, "wait for me to come out from school, Ever since the arrival of the two young fellows, Ch''in Chung and Pao-yü, presenting his school-fee gift to Chia Tai-jui and making not the least As soon as Ch''in Chung and Pao-yü had, at this time, come to school, and Chia Jui, Chin Jung and in fact come on this occasion and lodge a complaint against Chin Jung, Chia Jui "Chin Jung, Chia Jui and the his side Ming Yen, the page attending upon Pao-yü in his studies, and in what Chia Se had to say about the way Chin Jung had insulted Ch''in "Ming Yen," hastily shouted out Chia Jui, "you''re not to kick up a to come and entreat Ch''in Chung as well as to make apologies to Pao-yü. chapter-10 simply Chia Jung''s young brother-in-law, and is no son or grandson of at home, so forthwith taking along with her a matron, (Mrs. Chia Huang) hearing Mrs. Yu inquire of her about a good doctor, she lost no time in Chia Chen to Mrs. Yu; and as he uttered these words he forthwith walked hands of Ch''in Chung, but when she heard that Mrs. Ch''in was ill, she It was only after the departure of Mrs. Chin that Chia Chen came over Mrs. Yu, having asked Chia Jung to come round, told him to direct Lai master''s to Mr. Feng''s house and asked the doctor to come. "Why need you be so modest?" observed Chia Chen; "Doctor, do please walk "Yes, it is," assented Chia Jung; "but please, Doctor, take a seat, and "Doctor," rejoined Chia Jung, "you are indeed eminently clear sighted; doctor," Chia Jung observed. chapter-11 invite the venerable Mr. Chia Ching to come and spend this day at home, Next came, in a group, mesdames Hsing and Wang, lady Feng and Pao-yü, Lady Feng did not wait until madame Wang could open her mouth, but took after paying his respects to madame Hsing, madame Wang, and lady Feng, "Brother Jung Erh," exclaimed lady Feng, "wait a moment. Mrs. Yu''s mother, mesdames Hsing and Wang, and lady Feng Lady Feng hastened to make a few hurried steps forward and to grasp Mrs. Ch''in''s hand in hers. Mrs. Ch''in took lady Feng''s hand in her own and forced a smile. "Brother Pao," urged lady Feng, "your mother told you to go over, as lady Feng, before she said to Mrs. Ch''in: "Do all you can to take good "You senior ladies don''t come often," expostulated Mrs. Yu, "and you and chapter-12 Wang Hsi-feng maliciously lays a trap for Chia Jui, under pretence Chia Jui noticed how still more voluptuous lady Feng looked in her When Chia Jui heard these words, he felt in such high glee that he "Indeed I am," observed lady Feng, "and I only wish some one would come The words which Chia Jui heard, fell in so much the more with his own like "lo teng," and the east gate was also bolted; but though Chia Jui Chia Jui seeing that she had turned her face away, bolted out, like a coming, looking like a black apparition, who Chia Jui readily concluded, walked away; while Chia Jui was, all this time, out of his senses, and From this time forward his mind was, it is true, still with lady Feng, Mirror of Voluptuousness." Handing it over to Chia Jui: "This object," Chia Jui received the mirror. chapter-13 dowager lady Chia know, so as to send for a doctor, but Pao-yü dissuaded When old lady Chia saw that he was bent upon going: "The breath is just Pao-yü would not agree to this, and dowager lady Chia gave orders to get Chia Chen, at these words, lost no time in giving expression to profuse Chia Chen lost no time in bidding some one write the statement on red of the Chia mansion, and by patent a lady of the fifth rank (of the Chia Chen forthwith explained to him how it was that in the ladies'' "Who is it?" Chia Chen was quick to ask; but as Pao-yü perceived that they heard a servant announce that Mr. Chia Chen had come. Chia Chen was himself at this time uttered not a word, and when Chia Chen saw that lady Feng had assented; scarcely had time to return the compliment, before Chia Chen had chapter-14 Lady Feng issued prompt directions to Ts''ai Ming to prepare a register; been waiting a good long while, when lady Feng appeared in front of the but lady Feng did not let this man go, but went on to inquire of Wang Lady Feng then caught sight of the wife of Chang Ts''ai standing by, and "If to-morrow he were to come late," lady Feng then remarked, "and if Lady Feng likewise threw down the Ning Mansion order and exclaimed, course, the inmates of the Ning mansion came to know how terrible lady coming along with him to sit over at lady Feng''s. "I calculated," observed lady Feng, "that you would come to-day to make "Why have you come back?" lady Feng readily inquired. Lady Feng, seeing that the day was not far distant, also apportioned hand, so that lady Feng was so hard pressed for time that she had even chapter-15 their horses, when lady Feng, through her solicitude on Pao-yü''s that Pao-yü must be in the same carriage with that lady, he too turned Feng, Pao-yü, and Ch''in Chung, they were inclined to suspect that Lady Feng entered a thatched house, and, in the first place, asked servant, whom lady Feng had sent, come and call them both in. along with Pao-yü and Ch''in Chung, came to the Water Moon Convent. lady Feng and Pao-yü, to the Water Moon Convent, where Ch''ing Hsü But leaving aside the old nun, who kept lady Feng company, we will now "Why notice a creature like her?" remarked Ch''in Chung; to which Pao-yü after time, romped and laughed with Pao-yü and Ch''in Chung. Lady Feng too stayed for a few moments, and then returned, with the old Soon it was time to ease their clothes, and go to bed; and lady Feng entreat lady Feng to remain another day. chapter-16 obeisance to dowager lady Chia, madame Wang and the other members of the haste and to present himself at Court, while dowager lady Chia and the Dowager lady Chia was, at this time, standing, with agitated heart, Old lady Chia likewise called When old lady Chia and the other members of the family heard these Dowager lady Chia and the rest in due course offered thanks and returned As she uttered this remark, Chia Lien walked in, and lady Feng issued time, at the instance of madame Wang, to see whether lady Feng had Chia Jung was standing next to lady Feng, out of the light of the lamp, "Since that be so," observed lady Feng, as she addressed herself to Chia sent for Chia Lien, Lai Ta and others to come and receive his dowager lady Chia to allow him to pay a visit to Ch''in Chung, when he chapter-17 the garden gate is closed for a time," Chia Cheng exclaimed, "for we''ll "Gentlemen," Chia Cheng observed, as he turned his head round and period of the fact that Chia Cheng meant to put Pao-yü''s ability to the After listening to the suggestions, Chia Cheng forthwith turned his head "Pinioned-like," observed Chia Cheng smiling, "is indeed excellent; but "Let brother Pao-yü again propound one!" interposed Chia Chen, who stood When Chia Cheng heard this remark, he smiled and said, addressing "You ignorant stupid thing!" exclaimed Chia Cheng at these words; "what When Chia Cheng heard these words, he exclaimed: "You''re talking still "This is the Main Hall," remarked Chia Cheng; "the only word against it Chia Cheng bade him again propose a motto; but Pao-yü was bent upon (which remain)," Chia Cheng observed with a smile, "we have no time to Chia Cheng entered the gateway in company with the whole party. chapter-18 cheerful at heart; and having further invited dowager lady Chia and Old lady Chia and the other members of the family hastily fell on their The imperial consort of the Chia family, we must now observe, upon palace, been, from her infancy, also brought up by dowager lady Chia; After a long time, the Chia consort restrained her anguish, and forcing a smile, she set to work to reassure old lady Chia and madame Wang. Pao Ch''in also and a few other waiting-maids, whom the Chia consort had before dowager lady Chia, but her ladyship lost no time in raising them the imperial consort Yüan, when she heard that Pao-yü could compose "The red (flowers are) fragrant and the green (banana leaves like) The consort of the Chia family perused in due order the verses written of dowager lady Chia, madame Wang and of the respective sisters; while chapter-19 Upon hearing these words, Pao-yü speedily asked them to change his "How old is that servant girl?" Pao-yü having asked; "She''s, I expect, "I''m here for you!" Pao-yü having assured him; Ming Yen at these words Hsi Jen pulled Pao-yü in. But Pao-yü, espying that Hsi Jen''s two eyes "It isn''t because of harm," Hsi Jen replied; "but because he may come course had to see Pao-yü out of the house; while Hsi Jen, on the other elapsed before Pao-yü returned, and gave orders to go and fetch Hsi Jen; mutual salutations, Hsi Jen went on to ask of Pao-yü: "Where did you inquired of Hsi Jen: "Who were those persons dressed in red to day?" "I was present to-day," Hsi Jen explained, "when mother and brother held of them (Pao-yü and Hsi Jen) were seen to be also on such terms, the Pao-yü then kept his hands off, and as he laughed, "Tell me," he asked, chapter-20 Tai-yü and Pao-ch''ai had also come over, and they set to work to Behind followed Pao-ch''ai and Tai-yü, and at the sight of the way in come, and dragged away this old matron!" while Pao-yü nodded his head to "Now that you''ve come, let me also comb yours for you," Pao-yü Ying Erh felt her whole heart much aggrieved, but as she heard Pao-ch''ai to scold Ying Erh, when Pao-yü just happened to come in. also there were Shih Hsiang-yün, Lin Tai-yü, Hsüeh Pao-ch''ai and the Chia Huan upon hearing these words could not but come back to his "I was playing with cousin Pao-ch''ai," Chia Huan readily replied, "when with Pao-yü, to dowager lady Chia''s on this side, where they saw Shih While he was as yet speaking, Pao-ch''ai entered the room: "Cousin Shih Pao-yü, after listening to all she had to say, hastened to come up to chapter-21 The eminent Hsi Jen, with winsome ways, rails at Pao-yü, with a view The beauteous P''ing Erh, with soft words, screens Chia Lien. the second watch, and Hsi Jen had come and pressed him several times, sight of Hsi Jen walk in, who upon perceiving this state of things, When Pao-yü heard these words, and he noticed that the look on her face jade, flower and musk (Pao-ch''ai, Tai-yü, Hsi Jen and She Yüeh) do each bedding and clothes for Chia Lien in a separate room, and taking pieces outer library, and lady Feng and P''ing Erh remained both in daily Chia Lien, now that he was separated from lady Feng, soon felt disposed P''ing Erh at once rose to her feet; but lady Feng had already entered "Do these words allude to me?" P''ing Erh hastily asked, as soon as she chapter-22 "My mother-in-law," explained lady Feng, "is also as fond of Pao-yü as With these words, she again enticed dowager lady Chia to laugh for a Pao-ch''ai what play she liked to hear, and what things she fancied to Pao-ch''ai was well aware that dowager lady Chia, well up in years though time arrived to make a selection of the plays, dowager lady Chia of her places at the banquet, dowager lady Chia bade Pao-ch''ai make another company with Hsiang-yün; handing it also the next day to Pao-ch''ai to And when Chia Cheng came from court and found the old lady in such high length, but on this day, with Chia Cheng present, his remarks were "Yes!" assented Pao-yü, speaking on Tai-yü''s behalf; and Chia Cheng composed by Pao-yü," and Chia Cheng then said not a word, but continued But old lady Chia went on for some time to bandy words with Li chapter-23 Pao-yü and Tai-yü make use of some beautiful passages from the Record Soon after the day on which Chia Yuan-ch''un honoured the garden of Broad and Chia Cheng, therefore, gave orders to servants to go far and wide, Chia Lien was, at the time, having his meal with lady Feng, but as soon went on at once with her meal; during which time Chia Lien speedily Pao-yü stepped in gingerly and perceived Chia Cheng Chia Cheng raised his eyes and noticed Pao-yü standing in front of him, Madame Wang noticed that Chia Cheng was not in a happy frame of mind, so moment in the room, Pao-yü speedily inquired of her: "Which place do you was a propitious day for Pao-yü and the young ladies to shift their as soon as Pao-yü turned his head round, he discovered that it was Lin "That''s right, well done!" Pao-yü remarked smiling; "come and sweep chapter-24 Secundus, to tell him something," Chia Yün replied, as he pointed at heard Pao-yü remark that he looked like his son, he readily gave a Pao-yü bade good-bye to Chia She and returned home in company with all "Old Erh!" Chia Yün shouted, "stay your hand; it''s I who have hustled Chia Yün at these words, took over the money, smiling the while. coming out," Chia Yün eagerly walked up to her and inquired, with a face Chia Yün looked out, and saw that it was a servant-maid of fifteen or any news of Pao-yü." And as Chia Yün discerned Pei Ming, he hastily too, Chia Yün wended his steps straightway home; and the next day, he came to encountered Chia Yün, he asked him to come in on the morrow and have a "Come over," Chia Yün smiled, "and I''ll tell you!" And as he uttered chapter-25 residence to come and invite dowager lady Chia and Madame Wang. with lady Feng, and the three sisters of the Chia family, and Pao-ch''ai she kept her eyes fixed upon Chia Huan, Pao-yü eagerly took her hand. time in sending for Mrs. Chao to come round. The next day Pao-yü saw dowager lady Chia. A day after, Ma, a Taoist matron, whose name was recorded as Pao-yü''s "For a whole day and a whole night," asked dowager lady Chia, "how much Dowager lady Chia nodded her head and gave way to reflection. Dowager lady Chia then called the servants and impressed on their minds exchanged salutations, Mrs. Chao bade a young servant-girl hand her As soon as dowager lady Chia and Madame Wang caught sight of him, they Dowager lady Chia and Madame Wang at once directed servants to go out Dowager lady Chia and Madame Wang, at length, chapter-26 that Pao-yü was of late laid up in bed, Chia Yün along with the young to nurse Pao-yü, so (Chia Yün) and she saw a good deal of each other on Hsiao Hung observed that Chia Yün held in his hand a handkerchief very young servant-girl, attached to the same court as herself, Chia Hui by a little time back in the court washing a few things, when Pao-yü cried "Are you, old lady," replied Hsiao Hung smiling, "taking things in such During this time, Chia Yün followed Chui Erh, by a circuitous way, into As soon as Chia Yün recognised Pao-yü''s voice, he entered the room with At the time of Pao-yü''s illness, Chia Yün had spent a couple of days in Having left the I Hung court, Chia Yün cast a glance all round; and, "Yes, her name is Hsiao Hung!" replied Chui Erh smiling; "but why do chapter-27 Pao-ch''ai, Ying Ch''un, T''an Ch''un, Hsi Ch''un, Li Wan, lady Feng and remarks, Pao-ch''ai turned round and pointing, said: "you will find them Pao-ch''ai immediately halted, and, lowering her head, she gave way to As soon as Hsiao Hung and Chui Erh pushed the windows open from inside Hung, "but Miss Lin delights in telling mean things of people and is, "Ai-ya!" ejaculated lady Feng, as soon as she heard these words. "To-day," retorted Hsiao Hung, "is not my turn on duty, so don''t ask me "Sister P''ing bade me come and tell your ladyship," she added, "Sister P''ing says," Hsiao Hung proceeded, "that our lady presents her lady Quinta sent a servant the day before yesterday to come over and "Well, in that case," added lady Feng, "I''ll speak to Pao-yü to-morrow, "Brother Pao," T''an Ch''un remarked, "come over here; I want to tell you chapter-28 "Mother," Pao-yü interposed, "you''ve no idea that cousin Lin''s is an "You''re not muddle-headed, mother," said Pao-yü, "it''s the mention of "My father," Pao-yü laughed, "wouldn''t whip me for a thing like this." mother, you are at liberty to ask cousin Pao-ch''ai about it." "Really," said Madame Wang smiling, "Pao-ch''ai is a good girl; she does Lin Tai-yü at the back of Pao-ch''ai laughing with tight-set lips, and The moment lady Feng had done speaking, Pao-yü put in his word. from dowager lady Chia''s apartments, come in quest of Pao-yü and Lin "He doesn''t want anything to eat," Lin Tai-yü replied; "he won''t come "I''ll have my repast with my mother to-day," Pao-yü said. said that I did not know anything about that medicine, cousin Pao-yü "What you said the other day," smiled Pao-yü, raising his cup, "about remark with a smile: "Cousin Pao, let me see that string of scented chapter-29 When dowager lady Chia heard what she said, she smiled. Old lady Chia at this stage faced Pao-ch''ai. when she received old lady Chia''s behest, she smiled and exclaimed: Chia''s waiting-maids, Yüan Yang, Ying Wu, Hu Po, Chen Chu; Lin Tai-yü''s "Be quick and bring the lad here," shouted dowager lady Chia, as soon During this time, old lady Chia, taking along with her the whole family Turning towards old lady Chia, "Mr. Pao," he observed, "What a monkey!" dowager lady Chia exclaimed, turning her head round. After these forebodings old lady Chia accordingly desired Pao-yü to Dowager lady Chia, at these words, looked into the tray. Only when old lady Chia heard these arguments did she direct a servant "What do you people rush over here for again?" old lady Chia inquired. But as when dowager lady Chia interviewed the Taoist Chang, the dowager lady Chia had taken Pao-yü away with her that things quieted chapter-30 "This sounds like Pao-yü''s voice," she smiled. "I won''t have any one open the door," Tai-yü cried at these words. Tai-yü had not in fact shed a tear, but hearing Pao-yü break in upon however, now heard Pao-yü urge: "don''t let us allow others to know At these words, Pao-yü gave way to laughter. Pao-yü treasured at one time numberless tender things in his mind, "Cousin," continued Pao-yü smilingly, "you know what to say; and so While they were bandying words, a servant-girl Ch''ing Erh, lost sight "You''ve also tried your strength with them," Tai-yü said to Pao-yü occasioned by Pao-ch''ai''s touchiness, so when he also saw Tai-yü Chin Ch''uan-erh distended her eyes wide, and pushed Pao-yü off. "Let them be up to whatever they like," smiled Pao-yü, "I shall simply however, that Pao-yü could not be coming back at that hour, Hsi Jen "What would Miss Pao-ch''ai come over to chapter-31 Pao-yü allows the girl Ch''ing Wen to tear his fan so as to afford her "Master Secundus," replied Ch''ing Wen with a sardonic smile, "your Hsi Jen quickly snatched Pao-yü''s hand. Pao-yü and Lin Tai-yü blurted out laughing. "Miss Lin," smiled Hsi Jen, "you''re not aware of the purpose of my "You''d better be a little more sober-minded!" laughed Hsi Jen. "I''m so shaky," smiled Ch''ing Wen "that even fans slip out of my hands, "Is cousin Pao-yü not at home?" inquired Hsiang-yün." "What good thing is it?" asked Hsiang-yün. "Is cousin Hsi Jen all right?" inquired Hsiang-yün. "Look here!" Lin Tai-yü smiled, "what a girl she is! "It''s you who behave like a dunce now!" Shih Hsiang-yün smiled. "You stupid thing!" exclaimed Hsiang-yün smiling, "the more you talk, "The Yin and Yang," explained Hsiang-yün, "are no more than spirits, "The unicorn," explained Pao-yü, "I got the other day." chapter-32 Hsi Jen and Hsiang-yün tell their secret thoughts. Hsi Jen then poured a cup of tea and handed it to Shih Hsiang-yün. Scarcely had she concluded than Hsi Jen and Pao-yü tried to soothe her. "Miss Pao let me have it." replied Hsi Jen. "I heard the other day," continued Shih Hsiang-yün, a sardonic smile on tell him is enough to make people look up to Miss Pao with respect. "Did Miss Lin ever talk such trash!" exclaimed Pao-yü. Lin Tai-yü, the fact is, was well aware that now that Shih Hsiang-yün experience, and Pao-yü go on to observe: "Cousin Lin has never indulged But Pao-yü was so lost in thought that as soon as he caught Hsi Jen''s When Hsi Jen meanwhile saw Pao-yü effect his escape, "Lin Tai-yü," she "Could you tell them so?" smiled Hsi Jen. "What was that girl Hsiang-yün doing in your quarters?" Pao-ch''ai then chapter-33 But before (Chia Cheng) had had time to start a topic of directions that Pao-yü should be told to come out of the garden. me!" shouted Chia Cheng to the young boys. Madame Wang''s apartments, he seized her servant-maid Chin Ch''uan-erh As for Pao-yü, when he heard Chia Cheng enjoin him not to move, he ends, when he espied Chia Cheng''s servant-boys come up and press him to As soon as Chia Cheng caught sight of him, his eyes got quite red. Chia Cheng was on the point of further belabouring his son, when at the As soon as Chia Cheng heard her plaints, his tears trickled down Chia Cheng, upon seeing that his mother was coming, felt distressed and Chia Cheng forced another smile. Old lady Chia thereupon called Madame Wang over to her. Then following dowager lady Chia, Madame Wang and the other inmates chapter-34 Hsüeh P''an commits a grave mistake; but Pao-ch''ai makes this mistake When Hsi Jen saw dowager lady Chia, Madame Wang and the other members Pao-ch''ai noticed that he could open his eyes wide, that he could speak While indulging in these meditations, ha overheard Pao-ch''ai ask Hsi Pao-yü had, in fact, no idea as yet of what had been said by Chia Huan, and, when he heard Hsi Jen''s disclosures, he eventually got to know Pao-ch''ai might feel unhappy, so he lost no time in interrupting Hsi Hsi Jen, seeing Pao-yü interrupt her, at the bare mention of Hsüeh I gave the medicines I brought just now to Hsi Jen; let At this question, Hsi Jen lost no time in forcing a smile. "What fine things these are!" Hsi Jen smiled. At the sight of Madame Wang in this disconsolate mood, Hsi Jen herself Hsi Jen said several consecutive yes''s, and went on her way. chapter-35 present, they noticed that Pao-yü was reclining on the couch and Mrs. Hsüeh inquired of him whether he felt any better. "Quite so," smiled Pao-yü, "yet though senior sister-in-law Chia Chu Pao-yü had tried to lead old lady Chia on, originally with the idea of Pao-ch''ai," he cried, "when you''ve had your repast, do tell Ying Erh to "My dear child," remarked old lady Chia, "do let her come and twist a "We''ll send her to plait them!" Mrs. Hsüeh and Pao-ch''ai observed their meal forthwith said to Ying Erh: "Your Master Secundus, Mr. Pao-yü, just asked that you should go and twist a few girdles for him; at the time chatting and laughing with Pao-yü; but the moment they saw "My dear girl;" smiled Pao-yü, "if you want to show temper, better do "I was just now so bent upon talking," Pao-yü smiled to Ying Erh, "that Pao-yü watched Ying Erh make the nets. chapter-36 While Hsi Jen is busy embroidering mandarin ducks, Pao-yü receives, Ever since dowager lady Chia''s return from Madame Wang''s quarters, for Old lady Chia thereupon also sent for nurse Li, Hsi Jen and the other maid at one tael; for Hsi Jen is still a servant belonging to old lady "Hsi Jen," lady Feng smiled, "is still our dear ancestor''s servant; that might now be made, that this tael should, as Hsi Jen is Pao-yü''s "Aunt," rejoined lady Feng smiling, "was I likely, pray, wrong in what In the third, so long as Pao-yü sees that Hsi Jen is his each went her own way; and Pao-ch''ai, Tai-yü and the rest of the into the side-rooms in search of Hsi Jen. Lin Tai-yü, meanwhile, walked over from lady Feng''s part to fetch Hsi Jen. Before Pao-yü had time to say anything by way of response, Tai-yü chapter-37 After Shih Hsiang-yün''s return home, Pao-yü and the elegant verses composed by Hsüeh Pao-ch''ai and Lin Tai-yü. bold to ask you round, and sweep the way clean of flowers and wait for not, it is true, a good hand at verses, but if you poets won''t treat me write verses, for, if we come across any comparatively easy subject and "Well then," Pao-yü suggested, "let''s go to the Tao Hsiang village." "The two characters pot and door," observed Pao-yü, "are not very easy "Old farmer of Tao Hsiang," Pao-yü remarked, "you''re not, it is true, a good hand at writing verses, but you can read well, and, what''s more, When Hsi Jen, for we will now come to her, perceived Pao-yü peruse the In the evening, Hsiang-yün came at the invitation of Pao-ch''ai, to the As soon as Hsiang-yün heard (the alternative proposed by Pao-ch''ai,) "What do you say to ''ask the Chrysanthemums?''" Pao-ch''ai observed. chapter-38 The next day, Hsiang-yün invited dowager lady Chia and her other "These things were brought by cousin Pao-ch''ai," Hsiang-yün smilingly Lady Feng allowed no time to any one else to put in a word; but some crabs to eat, accumulate in your intestines," lady Feng pleaded, "By and bye," smiled old lady Chia, "I''ll make you follow me day and "I like her such as she is," dowager lady Chia laughed. table then seated herself old lady Chia, Mrs. Hsüeh, Pao-ch''ai, Tai-yü two tables, occupied by old lady Chia and Madame Wang. "You''d better," lady Feng said, "not bring in too many crabs at a time. to eat as a matter of form; but lady Feng came down once more to look when lady Feng pleaded: "My dear child, do let me off this time!" Pao-yü therefore allowed Hsiang-yün no time to make a move, but chapter-39 the story told by old goody Liu. Upon seeing, the story explains, P''ing Erh arrive, they unanimously "You''ve primed yourself with wine, my lady," P''ing Erh smiled, "and "In days gone by," P''ing Erh interposed, "four servant-girls came along Old goody Liu had, on her last visit, learnt what P''ing Erh''s "Crabs of this kind!" put in old goody Liu, "cost this year five "I expect you have seen our lady?" P''ing Erh then asked. venerable lady, so I gently whispered to her: ''old goody Liu wishes to P''ing Erh and her companions repaired then to old lady Chia''s Old goody Liu readily concluded that it must be dowager lady Chia, so "Venerable relative," dowager lady Chia asked, "how old are you this "This is indeed your venerable ladyship''s good fortune!" old goody Liu servant, at lady Feng''s instance, asked goody Liu to go and have her chapter-40 "Your worthy old lady," goody Liu replied laughingly, "wouldn''t let me After old lady Chia had had a little rest, she in person took goody Liu "Who also got the boats ready?" old lady Chia asked. "As they''ve got the boats ready," old lady Chia proposed, "we may as "Bring that small hard-wood table over," old lady Chia then exclaimed; Old goody Liu took a seat at a table next to dowager lady Chia. is that lady Feng and Yüan Yang had put their heads together and "This must be the work of that vixen Feng!" old lady Chia laughed. Old goody Liu watched Li Wan and lady Feng sit opposite each other and Lady Feng dragged Yüan Yang into a seat. one of these boats, they helped old lady Chia, Madame Wang, Mrs. Hsüeh, old goody Liu, Yüan Yang, and Yü Ch''uan-Erh. Last in order Li Wan chapter-41 Old goody Liu gets drunk and falls asleep in the I Hung court. Lady Feng then directed Feng Erh to go and bring the set of ten cups, Liu!" smiled lady Feng, "tell me the name of anything you fancy, and "It isn''t to be wondered at," old goody Liu smiled, "that you can''t "Let''s all have a couple of cups of wine!" old lady Chia laughingly observed laughingly: "Just you look at the way old goody Liu is going "After the number of cups of wine I''ve had," old lady Chia said, "I "Really," smiled old lady Chia, "it''s those people, who devote "I don''t care for ''Liu An'' tea!" old lady Chia exclaimed. Old lady Chia readily drank half a cup of the tea; and smiling, she Pao-yü understood that it must be because old goody Liu had drunk out This cup, Miao Yü filled, and handed to Pao-ch''ai. chapter-42 however, that old goody Liu took Pan Erh along with her, and came first "Ta Chieh-erh," goody Liu remarked, "hasn''t, I fancy, often put her "It''s verily people advanced in years like you," lady Feng smilingly When old goody Liu heard this proposal, she immediately gave herself up Old goody Liu precipitately followed P''ing Erh into the room on the off "Mr. Wang," she said, "do also have a look at our Chieh Erh!" Madame Wang and Li Wan, lady Feng, Pao Ch''ai and the other young ladies Goody Liu expressed her thanks, and saying good bye a second time, she and take leave of Pao-yü and the young ladies, Madame Wang and the I simply use any pencil that first comes under my hand to paint with; "What do you, P''in Erh, know about these things?" Pao-ch''ai laughed. "Why need I ask?" Pao-ch''ai smiled. chapter-43 "I''m quite all right to-day," old lady Chia replied. "I sent the servant for you," dowager lady Chia meanwhile said to "To the best of my recollection," dowager lady Chia resumed smiling, Only Mrs. Hsüeh and dowager lady Chia sat opposite to each other. "My birthday hasn''t yet come," lady Feng smiled; "and already now I''ve sister-in-law; and, when the day comes, I can eat a few more things, As she said this, dowager lady Chia and every one present began to "Can it be," dowager lady Chia then said to P''ing Erh, "that you don''t lady Feng said; "let''s therefore spend a little money and send for "There''s all that money; and isn''t it yet enough?" lady Feng smiled. While still speaking, she started on her way to dowager lady Chia''s "Where have you been," dowager lady Chia was the first to ask, "that chapter-44 "Do let that girl Feng have the seat of honour," old lady Chia shortly share of wine; but lady Feng felt, in fact, so little able to comply "At present," Chia Lien put in, "she won''t even let me enjoy P''ing committed by lady Feng on Pao Erh''s wife had already incensed him and When lady Feng descried in what fear and dread P''ing Erh was of Chia Lady Feng, meanwhile, realised that P''ing Erh had gone to take her to old lady Chia and lady Feng, while Pao-yü pressed P''ing Erh to come loth, seeing that P''ing Erh was Chia Lien''s beloved secondary wife, and wife; that Chia Lien was vulgar, and lady Feng haughty, but that she "Now, my girl Feng," lady Chia laughingly observed, "you are not to her arrival, she advised lady Feng and Chia Lien to do all they could At the sight of P''ing Erh, Chia Lien showed less chapter-45 "So many of you come to-day," lady Feng smiled, "that it looks as if verses)," lady Feng laughed, "and would you have me, pray, come and Feng smilingly remarked, "so the young ladies asked you to take them in "Dear sister-in-law," lady Feng said with a smile, "you''d better go "Dear sister-in-law," vehemently smiled lady Feng, "be good enough to young ladies be behind time, let the responsibility rest upon your if after a time, she doesn''t send the thing round, you can come again her way out, when lady Feng exclaimed: "It''s Pao-yü and he alone, who in fact, come over," she smiled, "on account of Pao-yü, and we forgot, "A wife," laughed lady Feng, "has come to fetch her mother-in-law!" "I haven''t come to fetch our old dame," Lai Ta''s wife smilingly "I want to have a little rest," Tai-yü said, "so please get away; come chapter-46 Lady Feng was well alive to the fact that Madame Hsing was, by nature, "Yüan Yang," thereupon secretly reflected lady Feng, "has always been Madame Hsing forthwith seated herself, and grasped Yüan Yang''s hand in "Madame Hsing," lady Feng remarked, "is sure to come over here to When Yüan Yang saw Madame Hsing depart, she concluded that she was When P''ing Erh observed the angry look on Yüan Yang''s countenance, her old lady lives!" Yüan Yang protested. "What matters a moment''s shame," Yüan Yang rejoined, "when things have "Is it perchance what Madame Hsing has told you?" Yüan Yang asked. "I went," Hsi Jen explained, "into Miss Quarta''s rooms to see our Mr. Pao-yü, but, who''d have thought it, I got there a little too late, and inquired of lady Feng who Yüan Yang''s father was. Madame Hsing thereupon despatched a servant to go and call Yüan Yang''s chapter-47 Mrs. Hsüeh, and your young mistresses to come! "Call Yüan Yang here," old lady Chia suggested, "and make her take this This remark amused dowager lady Chia and Mrs. Hsüeh. "I haven''t got any cards you want in my hand," Mrs. Hsüeh remarked. Lady Feng threw the card in front of Mrs. Hsüeh. "Lady Feng won''t let me have the money!" Yüan Yang replied, picking up "In that case," dowager lady Chia rejoined, "why didn''t you come "I saw that you were playing at cards, dear ancestor," Chia Lien "Mother, cross over at once," Chia Lien urged; "for he told me to come Chia was in buoyant spirits, so taking along Madame Wang, Mrs. Hsüeh, "I''m going somewhere, but will be back soon," Hsiang-lien said by way scolded Hsüeh P''an; at another, she abused Liu Hsiang-lien. While Hsüeh P''an lay on the stovecouch, he reviled Hsiang-lien with all chapter-48 assistance of Pao-ch''ai, Hsiang Ling and two old nurses, for several On the fourteenth, at break of day, Mrs. Hsüeh, Pao-ch''ai and the other "I meant to have proposed to my lady," Hsiang Ling said to Pao-ch''ai, "My dear miss!" laughingly observed Hsiang Ling, "do let''s make the attention to her, we will revert to P''ing Erh. Seeing Hsiang Ling walk out of the room, she drew Pao-ch''ai near her. "Now, that I''ve come in here," Hsiang Ling then smiled and said, "do "What I admire," Hsiang Ling proceeded with a smile; "are the lines by be a good thing if I can manage to read several stanzas at night." ablutions, when she espied Hsiang Ling come with smiles playing about Hsiang Ling then pressed (Tai-yü) to give her T''u''s poems. "Miss," smiled Hsiang Ling, "don''t confuse me." "If only," smiled Pao-ch''ai, at these words, "you could be as chapter-49 "Has our Hsüeh K''o come along with his sisters?" Pao-ch''ai inquired, Li Wan and Pao-ch''ai descanted, of course, with their aunts and cousins have kept on saying the whole day long that cousin Pao-ch''ai is a very sister-in-law and cousin Pao have now no mind for poetry. Our senior sister-in-law and cousin Pao will have time to old lady Chia brook the separation from Hsiang-yün that she kept her Hsiang-yün, Li Wen, Li Ch''i, Pao Ch''in and Hsing Chou-yen. "Unless you stay with our worthy senior," Hsiang-yün said, "do come to indulge in raillery to herself, "Cousin Pao," Hsiang-yün smilingly "He''s not that sort of person!" Pao-ch''ai and Hsiang-yün simultaneously Pao-yü thereupon came to look up Tai-yü. At this proposal, Pao-yü actually asked lady Feng to let them have a But Hsiang-yün and Pao-yü were On the other side, Pao-ch''ai and Tai-yü had, even in ordinary times, chapter-50 Pao-ch''ai supplied above ''the old labourer of Tao Hsiang'' the word Hsiang-yün however simply fell forward on Pao-ch''ai''s lap and laughed "It isn''t as if I were writing verses," Hsiang-yün laughed rising to Hsiang-yün speedily took up the kettle, and Tai-yü handed him a large "Let the three words ''red plum blossom,''" she then suggested, "be used things, bade some one take them over to Hsi Jen. Hsiang-yün also communicated to Pao-yü the subject for verses they had "Have you got yours ready?" Li Wan went on to inquire of Pao-yü. "I must have it by the close of the year," dowager lady Chia laughed, "Mrs. Hsüeh," interposed lady Feng smiling, "mind you don''t forget it! "Well, since that be so," old lady Chia remarked with a laugh, "your Dowager lady Chia then went on to explain how much nicer Pao-ch''in was, "For whom did you mean to act as go-between?" old lady Chia smiled. chapter-51 After a long interval, (lady Feng) actually saw Hsi Jen arrive, got up In the course of these remarks, they noticed lady Feng bid P''ing Erh and a pelisse, lady Feng went on to tell P''ing Erh to fetch a woollen "I am afraid," she said to them, "that Hsi Jen won''t come back, so if Lady Feng then explained things to Madame Wang, and sent, at the same Pao-yü watched Ch''ing Wen and She Yüeh get all her belongings in proper After the things had been despatched, Ch''ing Wen and She Yüeh "Now," She Yüeh smiled, "you''re not to put on the airs of a young lady! As Ch''ing Wen had some time before felt cold, and now began to get warm "Your young lady''s illness," he said to the old nurses, "arises from "When Dr. Wang comes," Pao-yü asked, "how much is he given?" chapter-52 But so concerned was Pao-yü about Ch''ing Wen and other matters that he "P''ing Erh isn''t that sort of person," Pao-yü pleaded. "When I lost sight of it on that day that I washed my hands," P''ing Erh Sung to, on no account whatever, let Pao-yü know anything about it, but "Well," said Pao-yü smiling, "how are you feeling now?" "Anything that comes first to hand," Pao-yü observed, "will do well quarters, and looked on while Ch''ing Wen took her medicine. old lady, Pao-ch''in lying with her face turned towards the inside, and let Ch''ing Wen and She Yüeh also have a look at it, and then came and Ch''ing Wen bade a servant tell nurse Sung to come in. Mr. Pao himself lays the matter to-morrow before Madame Wang, things "Mr. Pao-yü urgently enjoined this to-day," Ch''ing Wen pursued, "so "As regards what you say," Ch''ing Wen put in, "wait until Pao-yü comes, chapter-53 The end of the year was nigh at hand, so Madame Wang and lady Feng were needlework and presents as had to be sent over to dowager lady Chia''s "How is it you''ve been away the whole day?" Chia Chen asked. and informed dowager lady Chia and Madame Wang (of the receipt of the "How is it, I said, that he''s come only to-day!" Chia Chen observed. Dowager lady Chia was invited to place herself on the couch; and on the and Chia Jung''s wife then gave tea to the various young ladies; while Dowager lady Chia chatted for a time with her old (Dowager lady Chia''s) chair had, meanwhile, got beyond the principal invited dowager lady Chia and the other inmates. In dowager lady Chia''s reception hall, ten tables were meanwhile down came Mrs. Yu, Li Wan, lady Feng and Chia Jung''s wife. "Place it in the middle!" old lady Chia exclaimed. chapter-54 large baskets of cash, so the moment they heard old lady Chia utter the "What about the young ladies?" Chia Chen smilingly asked. "Some time ago," lady Feng laughed, "Hsi Jen came in person and told "The other day," lady Feng remarked, "Madame Wang presented her with lady Chia went on to tell Pao-yü. "What stories would you like to hear?" old lady Chia inquired of "Have you of late added any new stories to your stock?" old lady Chia "Now isn''t this a duplicate of our girl Feng''s name?" old lady Chia "There''s only my senior brother-in-law Chen outside," lady Feng smiled. "You two," remarked old lady Chia, "had better play a duet of the "In this propitious first moon," old lady Chia smiled, "won''t your "Well said!" dowager lady Chia laughed. "Proceed with your story," old lady Chia exclaimed with a smile. Old lady Chia laughed. chapter-55 Upon seeing P''ing Erh enter, Li Wan felt prompted to ask her the object "My lady says," P''ing Erh smilingly responded, "that she apprehends, The moment P''ing Erh arrived, she obtained a fair insight (into lady young lady washing her face; instead of coming forward to wait on her, "This should have been done away with long ago," P''ing Erh smiled. bade me come and help the girls wait on you, my lady, and on you, dear ladies, ''when a wall falls, every one gives it a shove.'' That Mrs. Chao has always been rather topsy-turvey in her ways, and done things lady Secunda, in order to be the better able to shut up people''s "I''ve got something of moment," she then observed to P''ing Erh, "about "My lady, you''re also talking a lot of trash!" P''ing Erh smiled. ground, P''ing Erh kept lady Feng company during her repast; and waiting chapter-56 the things required by you, young ladies, must absolutely be subject to For as you, young ladies, live at present in the garden, she settlement of accounts takes place at the end of the year, the money Old lady Chia gave orders to call Li Wan, T''an Ch''un, Pao-ch''ai and the "This Chen family too," old lady Chia thereupon added, "isn''t like any "When did you enter the capital?" old lady Chia inquired. "Has the whole family come?" old lady Chia asked. received each year from our young ladies, assure us that they''re "What kindness?" old lady Chia exclaimed laughingly. "Yet, he can''t resemble that young fellow of ours," old lady Chia "Here''s another one with the name of Pao-yü!" old lady Chia laughingly "That young fellow is my grandson," dowager lady Chia remarked. "Go into the garden," old lady Chia smilingly said, "and call our Old lady Chia also laughed.