Chinese Literature

eR earn ase

luck, I shall redeem you with interest. But if I remain as hard up as ever, I'll have to let you go.”

When the concubine heard this, she could scarcely believe her ears, yet there were the fifteen strings of cash confronting her! Liu had never said an angry word to her in his life, and her relationship with his wife was good too—what could have made him so cruel all of a sudden?

“Well,” she said doubtfully, “you should at least have told my father and mother.”

‘Tf I had informed your parents, they would certainly have raised objections. Tomorrow when you’ve gone to that man’s house, TVll send someone to convince your parents of the necessity for this. They won't be able to blame me.”

“Where were you drinking today?”

“With the man to whom I pawned you. After drawing up the contract, I drank a few cups with him before coming back.”

‘Why is Hlder Sister not back?”

“She couldn’t bear the thought of parting with you like this; so she will come back after you have left tomorrow. This was the only way out for me, and it’s all settled now.’ As he spoke, he was secretly laughing to himself. Then, without undressing, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

The young woman was very upset. “What kind of man has he sold me to?” she wondered. “I must go home first and tell my father and mother. If he’s told that other man to fetch me tomorrow, they can go to my home to settle matters there.”

After turning things over in her mind, she piled the fifteen strings of cash by Liu’s feet and, taking advantage of the fact that he was drunk, quietly put together some clothes, opened the door and went out, closing the door behind her. She went to the house of a neighbour on their left whose name was Chu; and she slept that night with Mrs. Chu, whom she told:

“Today, for no reason at all, my husband has sold me; so I must go home to tell my parents about it. Ill trouble you to tell my husband tomorrow where I’ve gone. The man who’s bought me can come with my husband to my parents’ house to discuss the matter and arrange a proper settlement.”

“That's right,’ said Mrs. Chu. “I'll give Mr. Liu your message after you’ve gone.”

The next morning the concubine set off for home.

Just like a fish escaping from a hook, She flourished off without one backward look.

Mr. Liu slept till midnight, when he woke to find the lamp still lit

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