“It is good of Adam to send this girl to us.”

“Oh yes, it’s a good idea. Well, this afternoon we shall go to the Go-Down.”

“Do you feel equal to it?”

“I have you to lean on. You can help me into the rickshaw and Tobias will be at the other end.”


* * *

I left my son in the care of Ling Fu, for on our journey out a friendship had sprung up between them. They said little but found a quiet contentment in each other’s company, and I knew Jason was safe with him.

The rickshaw took us down to the waterfront where the warehouse was and now I saw more distinctly than I had the day before the teeming life of the place. The rickshaw men running with their burdens, their feet bare, their conical hats tied under their chins with string and their pigtails flying aroused my pity because they appeared to be too fragile to pull the carriages and their occupants. There was noise and clamor and everywhere the ever persistent odor of fish. On the sea was the floating village—sampan after sampan side by side, the homes of families who had never known any other. In these little boats—some gaily painted, others dark and shabby, families had lived for generations. Lines of washing fluttered in the breeze and I saw a woman bathing a baby on the deck of one. Cooking smells filled the air. From one a boy was diving for coins which a European traveler was throwing into the water. He stood poised on the edge of his boat—like an etching against the sunlight—naked but for a loincloth. I saw people buying from a vegetable boat and Sylvester told me that these people who had lived in their boats all their lives had been born in them, bred in them, and rarely came ashore.

“If you could go inside one,” he went on, “doubtless you would see that an altar had been set up, and joss sticks were burning. You’d see a red lucky paper strip to drive away devils. Look at that lorcha there.” He indicated a boat which was bobbing on the water. “You can see the eyes painted on it. That is so that it can see its way. It would be very unlucky to go on the water in such a boat without eyes.”

“They seem to be very superstitious.”

“They are poor,” said Sylvester. “It is so important for them to have what they call good ‘joss.’ That is good fortune. So they burn their joss sticks in the temples or in their houseboats and they are careful not to arouse the wrath of dragons.”

People scurried about—mostly dressed in similar fashion—men and women alike in black trousers and jacket and often the conical hat to keep off the sun.

I saw a woman carrying such a heavy load that she could scarcely stagger; she was in black, her clothes dusty and shabby and she wore a hat with a black silk fringe.

Sylvester followed my gaze and told me that she was one of the Hakka women.

“They came from South China during the Yuen Dynasty and settled northwest of Hong Kong. They work hard, especially the women, and it’s mostly manual labor. You’ll see many of them in the fields.”

“They look as if they have a hard life.”

“Life is often hard for Chinese women.”

I commented on the overpowering smell of fish and Sylvester said: “Odd that it should have been called Heung Kong which means Fragrant Harbor.”

“A lovely name,” I said, “but hardly fitting at the moment.”

“No doubt before there was all this activity it was fragrant.”

The rickshaw had pulled up and we were at the Go-Down. Tobias was waiting for us and he helped me to alight first and then Sylvester.

Leaning on my arm on one side and his stick on the other, Sylvester entered the building with Tobias.

We went into a rather elaborately furnished office. There was a showcase in it and in this case were some very fine pieces of jade and rose quartz.

A chair was found for Sylvester who was glad to sit down after his exertion and when we were seated Tobias told us what had been happening during the years when he had managed the business with only postal communications to and from Sylvester.

Sylvester would see that trading had been good. He would know of course what had been bought of any interest and he himself had found some fine pieces in England. In spite of the fact that the last years had been difficult for some traders, Tobias had made out very well.

“What do you know of my nephew Adam’s affairs?” asked Sylvester. “You can speak before my wife. She shares my confidences.”

Tobias shrugged his shoulders. “I believe him to have had some difficulties”

“You don’t know the extent of these?”

“He would hardly confide in me, I’m afraid, but one hears rumors.”

“He is being very helpful to me and I wondered. Well, you can take my wife round the offices, Tobias. I will wait here and look through the books.”

So Toby, as I soon came to think of him, took me on a tour of the business premises. I was impressed. I had had no idea of the size of them. He explained so much to me, how goods were bought and shipped to various places all over the world, and what kind of works of art found the readier market.

“When a client is looking for one particular thing,” went on Toby, “the request would doubtless go out to several dealers like ourselves. So we would all be looking for the priceless piece for this one customer. The competition is keen. That’s what makes it so exciting. I understand, Mrs. Milner, that you will come here now and then to see how things are going.”

“I should like that. I did go occasionally to the London offices.”

“They’re a sort of clearinghouse. It is here that the main business is done.” He explained everything lucidly and I found myself liking him more every minute. There was a frankness about him which was appealing.

Before we rejoined Sylvester he said: “If you need anything at any time, Mrs. Milner, please send for me and I’ll always come and do what I can.”

I felt that I had found a friend.

It had been a very interesting session and I enjoyed discussing it with Sylvester all the way back to The House of a Thousand Lanterns.

II

I shall never forget the first time I saw Lotus Blossom. Adam himself brought her and I saw them standing together in Sylvester’s study, the tall Adam and this fragile girl.

Her name suited her for she was beautiful. She was tiny and dainty; her hair which she wore loose was jet black and glossy; it was only married ladies, she told me later, who made it into a bun. Her eyes were not slanted as much as most Chinese; her skin was lighter too; it was matte and clear and the more the shade of certain magnolia petals. She wore the traditional cheongsam, and hers was made of silk, pale blue in color with a delicate white pattern traced on it. The little standup collar, the simple lines which fitted her slight figure to perfection, the slit in the side of the skirt made her look like a doll.

As I went forward to greet them Adam said: “Oh, Jane, I have brought Lotus Blossom. Lotus, this is the mistress of the house, Mrs. Sylvester Milner.”

The girl bowed so low that I thought she was going down to the floor.

“Joy fills me to greet Great Lady,” she said in a quaint voice which was as charming as everything else about her.

“I’m glad you have come,” I answered.

“Very good news,” she said. “I hope I serve you well.”

“My husband will wish to see you,” I told her.

Lotus Blossom’s eyes opened wide. She looked fearful.

Adam laid his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “All will be well, never fear. You will serve this lady well and in turn for that she will care for you.”

“I hope I serve her well,” said Lotus Blossom in a faintly apprehensive voice.

“I am sure we shall get along together,” I said.

In the study Sylvester sat dozing in his chair.

“Sylvester,” I cried, “your nephew has arrived with the little Chinese girl.”

“Bring them, Jane. Ah, here is the child.”

Lotus went forward and this time knelt and placed her forehead on the carpet.

“My dear child, there is no need to do that. Come here. I understand you speak English.”

“I have learn,” she answered. “I very bad speaker.”

“You will improve here,” said Sylvester, and I smiled affectionately remembering how he was always eager that people about him should learn. “Sit down and Ling Fu will bring tea.”

I placed myself opposite the girl for I was fascinated by the delicate fluttering of her hands, the graceful manner in which she moved, and those bright slanting eyes which were smiling, humble yet proud, candid yet inscrutable. I noticed that she was intent on every movement of what Sylvester called the tea ceremony. And when the tray was placed before me she rose and took the cups from me as I poured out and presented one first to Sylvester then to Adam.

“And this is yours,” I said.

She looked dismayed. “But you first. Great Lady. I should not take.”

I assured her that she could and I compromised by serving myself first and then pouring one for her. She took the cup gravely. I noticed that Adam watched her intently. I was not surprised for she was lovely to behold. He seemed very eager for us to like her and he clearly thought her charming.

“Lotus Blossom will do all sorts of things for you,” he said. “You will soon be wondering how you managed without her. She will help with the child. You are a good nurse, are you not, Lotus? And you will teach Mrs. Milner something of the customs that prevail here.”

Lotus Blossom sat very still, her hands folded, her eyes downcast, her pose one of extreme humility. She looked as though she had stepped out of one of the Chinese scrolls.