Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class BookLedyard, Mary Forman
General
Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class Book
Ledyard, Mary Forman
Chinese in literature
"You know what kind girls we are, Miss Powers, of such a stupidness that
we cannot of the English to learn. We only are to blame, not Miss
Sterling," I say, then afraid remember and sit down.
"It is true that our language is very difficult for you," say Miss
Powers most graciously. "And in order that you may learn to construct
and pronounce it correctly, I propose that this last semester of your
College course, you play a game that we may call 'English Notes.' Have
any of you ever heard of it?" When we told her we had not so heard, she
smile with chin also, and hold to view small package all of a whiteness.
"These are sealed envelopes," she say. "Each one contains one of the
first seven letters of the English Alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, a
letter for each girl. Miss Sterling, will you be kind enough to give
them to the young ladies?"
It seemed of a purpose that to me came Miss Sterling last. Afterward,
when I so state privately to her, she smile all about and say, "It is
most fortunate that your envelope contains the B, Bing Ding, for being a
Eurasion, you can write the English more fluently than the others." But
that is of Biography unimportant, so I return to where I stop.
Fuku start to open envelope, Miss Powers hold out hand and say, "Wait,
Fuku, and I will tell you about the game. It is played thus:"
"For the next five months, every Saturday each girl must deposit in my
office letter-box an unsigned, written paper of not less than two
hundred English words, on a topic corresponding to the word represented
by the letter found in her envelope. For example: A stands for the
Artist of the class. B - for the Biographer. C - Correspondent. D -
Diarist. E - Essayist. F - Folklorist. G - Genius, to her goes my
heartfelt sympathy." Miss Powers look at Miss Sterling and draw down
corners of mouth and take on sadness. All Chinese girls grow solemnity,
but Miss Sterling laugh, and we know it is of American funniness, and
are much relieved.
"Bing Ding will distribute this writing paper which I wish you to use in
preparing your articles," say Miss Powers, and again hold to view a
package, this time of much largeness and most blue. "Six of you will
begin playing the game this week. A, cannot play until next week; her
name, alone, I must know that I may send her the papers to illustrate
after they are typed."
"On next Monday afternoon and on all the following Mondays, I shall
expect you to come to my study at Two of the clock, to drink tea and
play your game. That is all now, Young Ladies, except that each girl
must keep the secret of her letter; that is for her alone. Good after
noon," and Miss Powers disappear with much graceful carriage, of which
all Chinese girls admire but cannot to imitate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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