Chapter 40
The venerable lady Shih attends a second banquet in the garden of Broad Vista. Chin Yan-yang three times promulgates, by means of dominoes, the order to quote passages from old writers. As soon as Pao-y, we will now explain, heard what the lad told him, he rushed with eagerness inside. When he came to look about him, he discovered Hu Po standing in front of the screen. "Be quick and go," she urged. "They're waiting to speak to you." Pao-y wended his way into the drawing rooms. Here he found dowager lady Chia, consulting with Madame Wang and the whole body of young ladies, about the return feast to be given to Shih Hsiang-yn. "I've got a plan to suggest," he consequently interposed. "As there are to be no outside guests, the eatables too should not be limited to any kind or number. A
- Writer
