not bear a son, who shall far exceed
me in position and power?"

CHAPTER VI

MARRIAGE--PART II

Meanwhile the bridegroom's family had not been idle. They had prepared
and decorated their house; had put up new red scrolls, and draped the
guest-hall and the outside door with red cloth. Large red candles,
painted with gold, were burning on a sort of mantelpiece at the top of
the room, and new lanterns were adorning the hall.

The bedroom for the bride had also been prepared. A man who had been
prosperous in his life and home decided where the bed was to be placed;
and a woman equally prosperous in her home made the bed, and took good
care that no ill-luck should come near the dwelling of the young couple.

When about a mile's distance from her future husband's home,
Everlasting Pearl suddenly ceased her wailing, for it now behoved her
to show the right submission. The old life lay behind her; she had
mourned for it, but must now prepare for the new life ahead.

She was met by messengers from the Hsue family. The chair was put down
and some superstitious rites were performed to drive away the evil
influences which she might have encountered by the way. And then, as
it was getting dark, the lanterns were lighted for the last stage of
the journey, and soon she was carried into her new home. She entered
it to the sound of fire-crackers, music, beating of gongs, and the
shouts of all the people who had gathered in great numbers, each one
present trying to catch the first glimpse of the bride.

The bridal chair was put down in the guest-hall, and there it remained.
After what seemed an exceptionally long waiting time, the door was
unlocked, but still the bride could not move. At last, a woman, the
proud mother of several sons, came forward and helped her out of the
chair. Two little girls, richly adorned with flowers, were waiting,
one on either side of the chair, to offer her some tea. After that she
was led into the room prepared for her. Her own furniture had already
been placed in the room, and the bridegroom, clad in official robes,
was standing near the bed, waiting for her. Then they both sat down, a
table was placed before them with two basins of rice, some eggs,
vermicelli, and a chicken leg for each. Not much of it was eaten,
however; the little bride, still veiled, could touch nothing, but the
guests, who had crowded into the room to stare at her, helped
themselves freely to the rice.

Af