He hurried into the interior of the house, and in a few words told his wife what was happening. "She is already here and wishes to see our son. I told you that it would have been better to change the day." "You really are a decayed piece of goods. Their daughter has received our gifts, and is already our daughter-in-law. You shall see." Then she said to Prudence: "Make haste and prepare our large room for a collation to the family of Sun." She herself went to the room where the nurse was, and asked: "Has our new daughter's mother something to say to us?" "She is uneasy about the health of your honorable son, and has sent me to see him, thinking that it would be better to postpone the marriage if he were seriously ill." "I am gratified to receive this proof of her consideration. My son has, in fact, taken cold, but it is not a serious indisposition. As for choosing another day, that is not to be thought of. Our preparations are made, and a delay would involve too great a loss. Furthermore, happiness drives away every ill. The invitations are sent out. We might imagine that your family had changed its intention...." "At least, can I see the invalid?" "He has just taken a drug and is asleep. Besides, I have told you that he has caught cold. Are you trying to insult me by expressing a wish to prove my words?" "If the matter stands thus," the nurse politely made haste to answer, "it only remains for me to withdraw." "You cannot go in this way. You have not even taken a cup of tea. If you please, let us go into the new room, for my house is all in disorder." On entering, the nurse observed the excellent arrangement of the young couple's apartment. "Everything is ready, as you see," said the wife of Liu. "And if my son is not quite recovered after the ceremony, I shall take care of him in my pavilion, until he is able to embark upon his conjugal life." Having taken tea, the nurse at last arose and went away. On her return she recounted to her master and mistress what had taken place, and Sun and his wife found themselves in a difficult dilemma. They could not think of allowing their daughter to ruin her life by entering of her betrothed, if he were going to die, and, if the young man were not seriously ill, they stood the risk of losing all their preparation, and of giving occasion for slander. Suddenly their son Yu-lang, who was present, said: "If they have not allowed him to be seen, it means that he is seriously ill. There is no way by which we can go back on our contract; and yet we cannot send my sister to her ruin in this fashion. I have a plan, and you must tell me what you think of it. Let us send the go-between to advise Liu that the marriage will take place on the appointed day, but that the bride's equipment will not be sent until after her husband's recovery. I am sure that they will reject this offer, and then we shall have a good excuse for throwing the blame on them."