waiting-girls? And by my bringing them in person to give them to them,
doesn't it make things clearer?"

As she said this, she put down the four rings. "One is for sister Hsi
Jen," she continued, "one is for sister Yuean Yang. One for sister Chin
Ch'uan-erh, and one for sister P'ing Erh. They are only for these four
girls; but would the servant-boys too forsooth have remembered them so
clearly!"

At these words, the whole company smiled. "How really clear!" they
cried.

"This is what it is to be able to speak!" Pao-yue put in. "She doesn't
spare any one!"

Hearing this, Lin Tai-yue gave a sardonic smile. "If she didn't know how
to use her tongue," she observed, "would she deserve to wear that
unicorn of gold!"

While speaking, she rose and walked off.

Luckily, every one did not hear what she said. Only Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai
pursed up her lips and laughed. Pao-yue, however, had overheard her
remark, and he blamed himself for having once more talked in a heedless
manner. Unawares his eye espied Pao-ch'ai much amused, and he too could
not suppress a smile. But at the sight of Pao-yue in laughter, Pao-ch'ai
hastily rose to her feet and withdrew. She went in search of Tai-yue, to
have a chat and laugh with her.

"After you've had tea," old lady Chia thereupon said to Hsiang-yuen,