Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class BookLedyard, Mary Forman
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Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class Book
Ledyard, Mary Forman
Chinese in literature
Many persons make entrance and departure into office. It seemeth best to
make study of Book when none are present to divert my thinkings. When
FooFoo (the Chow dog) and I are alone I make haste to open Book. Within,
the volume was writ in parts. One part days of week; other part, hours
of day. Also the writings of Dr. Ewing were of so great smallness, to
translate produced much troubles. Thereupon I make selection of one day
alone, that I may best interpret the meanings of its hours. This is
them:
From the Diary of Dr. Ewing:
Tuesday -
8 a.m. Withdrew mole-tooth from the mouth of Eng Muoi.
9 a.m. No. 1 Cook's wife's sister-in-law make birth of big boy -
weight, 12 knocks or pounds.
11 a.m. Transcribe letter of No to Y. M. C. A. Secretary.
12.30 Dr. Wardoff came to Tiffin. He hath given me six months to make
answer to his clothes or suit.
2 p.m. Unbound feet of Luey See. Delicious operation. Time two hours.
5 p.m. Took from left ear of FooFoo bamboo tree.
Upon mine ear fall the sound of approaching feet-steps. Thereupon I at
the once close Book and go to look within the ear of FooFoo who is full
of gladsome barkings at Dr. Ewing making entrance. To her, I present
good-night partings - and without delay make arrival at Dormitory where
warmly wrapt in my Mieng of comfort I lie in readiness for sleep, but
she come not. Upon her little bed in further corner my room-mate, Ging
Muoi, make slumberings of so great audibleness I find not rest.
Again and again I make repetition of Dr. Ewing's Diary unto myself.
Again and again Ging Muoi make whistlings through noses with much warmth
of expression not unto herself. By and by I arise and remove from
closet, bamboo stick unto the bedside of Ging Muoi; she awake with much
suddenness and make end to whistles. At the once I return within my
Mieng and come to so great decision - that on the morrows will I nothing
of duties write - but all, of happenings. Sleep comes to mine eyelids
and I dream.
2d Moon - 10th day - Upon yesterday fell the birthday of our Beloved
Doctor Ewing. Miss Powers invite all to eat Tiffin at Faculty house. At
the hour of noon we move upward upon Faculty steps, when our eyes behold
legs and feet, only, of man making entrance upon Dr. Ewing's balcony.
His upper parts were enclosed within a bouquet of much magnitude and his
shoes were of the color of clay so that he present appearance like unto
a single flower-pot of our gardens of the Compound. We call to mind the
extensiveness of the feet and the inconsiderableness of the body of the
most Honorable Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. and at the once make
recognition of him.
Miss Powers (our Honored President) come out and say, "Come in and have
seat." Thereupon we sit. Dr. Ewing make entrance from balcony with much
redness of face and we donate birthday greetings unto her. A bell ring
and Miss Powers say, "Let us go into the dining-room."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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