Tai-y loves Pao-y with extreme affection; but, on account of this
affection, her female cousin gets indignant.
Hseh P'an commits a grave mistake; but Pao-ch'ai makes this mistake a
pretext to tender advice to her brother.
When Hsi Jen saw dowager lady Chia, Madame Wang and the other members of the family take their leave, our narrative says, she entered the room. and, taking a seat next to Pao-y, she asked him, while she did all she could to hide her tears: "How was it that he beat you to such extremes?"
Pao-y heaved a sigh. "It was simply," he replied, "about those trifles. But what's the use of your asking me about them? The lower part of my body is so very sore! Do look and see where I'm bruised!"
At these words, Hsi Jen put out her hand, and inserting it gently under his clothes,
