Chapter 18I was wandering through San Francisco in the far west, considering a return to my homeland, or perhaps a visit to China or London, when I caught sight of my reflection in a*****e window. I stopped, staring in amazement. I had not noticed anything before that moment, but standing there, gazing at my profile, I imagined that I saw a gentle, slight bulge in my belly where there had been none before. My hand slipped there to caress it, touch it, my eyes glued to my reflection. No, I chided myself for my imagination, for even thinking that which I had been thinking. I had been indulging my appetite far too much. I made a mental note to try to control myself more often. Weight had never been a problem for me, except perhaps in the regard of not weighing enough, of appearing emaciated,

