Li took the silver, as delighted as if the money had fallen from the
sky, and ran to see his mistress. It was the ninth day. She asked
him: "Has it been very difficult? Have you found the hundred and fifty
ounces?"

He then told her what Liu had done; and both, rejoicing, spent a night
of pleasure. Next day she said to him:

"When this money is paid, I must follow my Lord. But we have made
no preparation for the boats and conveyances of our journey. I have
borrowed twenty ounces from my friends. My Lord may take them for
travelling expenses."

In his uneasiness concerning these expenses, he had not dared to speak
of them. He took the money, and was full of joy.

At that moment there was a knock on the door, and the old woman
entered, saying:

"This is the tenth day."

"I thank the ma-ma for recalling the fact to us," he answered. "I was
on the point of paying her a visit."

And, taking up the bag, he poured the three hundred ounces on to the
table. The old woman had not supposed he could succeed.

She changed color, and seemed on the point of gainsaying her word.
So Shih-niang said; "I have stayed in your house for a long time, and
have brought in several thousands of ounces. To-day I am marrying. If