"Her mother came a few weeks ago and stayed with us one week. One
day Mary and I went with her to visit the homes of missionaries;
when we came back Mrs. Stone suggested that we should go and see
her uncle. Mary and I hesitated a little; for we were not used to
visiting Chinese homes, especially after New Year when people are
very ceremonious. When we arrived at the home we found that they
had a New Year's party there, although it was the second month. The
reason was this; at the time of the New Year Chinese ladies do not
step outside their houses till they are invited to a party, and as
invitations do not come until nearly the end of the first month it
is common to continue to the second month."

"Mrs. Stone's friends were very glad to see her, for they had not
met for a long time. The party consisted of three elderly ladies,
besides the hostess, and three young girls besides the young
daughter of the house. They were dressed principally in bright
blue, green, and red, and were painted to the extreme. The young
girls hardly tasted their food, but looked us over from head to
foot, especially our feet. The room was hot, and presently one of
the girls tittered to another and said, 'Your face is streaked,'
meaning that some of her paint was off and showed dark lines;
whereupon all the girls declared that they were going to wash their
faces. After a while one of the girls came back and said, 'My face
is clean now, is it not?' Mrs. Stone told us that they saw we had
no paint on and were ashamed of theirs. The girls' only talk was
about their jewellry, clothes, and other gossip. Mary and I were
very much disappointed, for we hoped to learn some Chinese manners.
Mrs. Stone advised me not to wear spectacles, for I attracted many
remarks. I told her I was only too glad to draw attention from our