Fragment 7 - Posted 27th December 2014

When Mistress' business and social obligations were fulfilled, there remained two weeks until the end of the licence, and Mistress declared a free-for all. In theory this meant that the running of the house went on as normal, but any of the staff could make use of White Ghost during any free time, if the custodians permitted. We asked the Mistress if she had any recommendations how we go about this. "I do," she said. "This specimen seems polite and friendly. I think you should let him off the leash during the mornings, and take him off to the park for recreation in the afternoons. No need to watch too closely – one of you on duty should be enough. He may need to rest in the afternoons." When the word went out, the house bubbled with a carnival atmosphere. Pairs of giggling young women were forever moving swiftly through parts of the house where they were not normally to be found. Rooms were found unaccountably locked for short periods. Cupboards resounded with squeals and strange thuds. Flushed maids tripped hastily back to their tasks, and Ma Chao was continually yelling at kitchen staff to wash their hands. Once I even caught Ma Peng pulling down her skirts with a twinkle in her eye. Through all this, White Ghost stumbled and reeled as if in a daze. No-one approached the custodians for permission. How their faces fell when we clipped on the leash and set out for the meadow! The atmosphere turned sombre when the day arrived that the licence expired. Breakfast was something spicy – I forget what – which was unusual. Faces were pale in the kitchen, and one girl fled into the courtyard in a fit of tears. Ma Chao had a set look about the face, and looked as though she had been crying too. She set a bowl before White Ghost and hastily turned away. No-one had much appetite, but we ate determinedly. It took longer than usual, but in time all the bowls were empty. White Ghost could see the mood was odd, but ate heartily. We knew to make ourselves scarce for the morning. As we opened the gate to the lane, Ma Chao appeared and wrapped her arms around White Ghost in a great hug. Without a word, she ran back to her kitchen. By the time we reached the meadow, White Ghost was showing signs of discomfort. We settled him under the trees and moved away. We were torn. Both of us wanted to stay with him, but neither of us wanted to watch. We crouched in the far corner of the meadow, gripping each other's hands and listening to groans and yells. As the sun rose higher in the sky we could see the maids approaching, carrying the stretcher, and we made our way back to White Ghost. He was pale – stark white – and sweating in a frightening way. He had emptied the contents of his stomach, and was still alive. We looked at each other in a mixture of relief and fear. "Now What?" asked Shrr Li. "Take him back, I suppose," I guessed, and that is what we did. There were four of us to manage the stretcher, and White Ghost moaned every time the stretcher shook. When we set the stretcher down in the servant's courtyard, Ma Chao came to look. When she saw he was alive, she ran for some cold water . We helped White Ghost to sit up to drink it, and that seemed to help. Ma Chao ran back to her kitchen and returned with some plain rice in a bowl. He did not want to eat, and vomited once or twice. Ma Chao encouraged him by eating some of the rice herself, and finally he consented to swallow some. We brought him into the garden courtyard, and set an awning over him for the heat of the day. By afternoon, some of his colour had returned. We had no idea what the Police would say. It was the same policewoman, and she was unperturbed. "This sometimes happens," she said. "The law is lenient in these cases. You have three days to arrange things, and after that it becomes a police matter. Three days' grace, three days' leeway." We left the gate of the servant's courtyard open that evening, which I thought was ridiculous. Everyone studiously looked away, but White Ghost ignored it quite much as they did. White Ghost had no notion of the hints and opportunities that were offered to him. Shrr Li wondered how he could be so stupid. "This is the only home he knows here, " I pointed out. "Why is he going to walk away from that? In the state he is in he won't be able to go far anyway." Nobody had any better ideas. We talked to Meng Chu in her study. Ma Chao was apologetic. "I followed the instructions to the letter, Mistress," she swore. "what was in that bowl would have felled an ox." "Have you any more of it?" Meng Chu inquired. Ma Chao looked sour. "Yes I do," she replied smartly, "but don't ask me to use any more on this poor creature, because I won't. You can call the police if you like but I won't do it." "Be easy, Ma Chao, " Meng Chu assured her, "The responsibility is mine. All we can do is leave this to the police." That was my cue. "There is something else that could be done, Mistress," I said. "It may not work, but it is worth a try." Mistress heard me out and considered for a while. Then she gave her consent. "We lose nothing by this. The licence has already expired. The police may consider you culpable, but that is the risk you run. You had best begin as soon as possible."

Fragment 6 - Posted 8th December 2014

"She was terrible! They were both terrible!" Xu Xan uttered, in a hoarse whisper. I don't know why she was whispering. No-one was likely to hear us. We were strolling around the meadow, while White Ghost was asleep in the shade of some trees. "She wouldn't stop squealing!" I admitted. "My ears are still ringing!" complained Xu Xan. This was some days later. We had had the three formal nights with Meng Chu, followed by two days recovery. Then work began in earnest. This was Dai Yan, the first of Meng Chu's business acquaintances to have accepted the offer of a night in the Good Fortune suite. I don't know what she had expected, but it was clear she had never seen a White Ghost at close quarters before, and nor had her maid. We had massaged her and relaxed her, but as soon as White Ghost showed his interest, she started to squeal and her maid ran away and hid herself. "He did make a brave effort, though." I felt I ought to stand up for White Ghost. "He did his best to introduce himself." "I think she went into spasm. It was sheer hysteria. It would have taken a chisel to get past that one. I would have given up, if I were a White Ghost. I'm not surprised he left her alone. No chi for her, then." "Oh, didn't you see?" "See what? I was trying to settle Mrs Scream-down-the-ceiling!" "Meng Chu managed to catch the chi in her mouth, and deliver it where it was expected." "Wretched woman didn't deserve it! Would that even work?" "I have no idea. I thought it was very resourceful of Mistress, though." "I wonder if Dai Yan would have brought a legal case against Mistress if nothing had happened properly?" "How could she do that? She behaved like an idiot! If it came to a court case I would have given her a red face. And that pathetic maid of hers. " "I know. Me too. But the threat is often enough to bring some kind of settlement." "That sounds like blackmail!" "Yes. That's business for you. Fortunately there's no chance of that now. The others are social acquaintances, aren't they?" "So I understood. They can't be as bad as that, can they?" "I certainly hope not. Did you know the maid wet herself?" I rolled my eyes. "Remember when we said this was a sinecure?" Xu Xan laughed. "White Ghost looks thinner," she remarked. "Speaking of which..." I started. "Waistband a little tight?" Xu Xan suggested. I nodded. "Mistress seemed to think it was the case for her, immediately. Can it be so quick?" "Based on the evidence, it seems so. All three of us. Do you feel any ill-effects?" "Not really. Although..." I hesitated. "What is it?" "I yearn to take an interest." Xu Xan looked at me seriously. "We can hardly wake him up. Plus Mistress would notice if there was any failure in his performance. Perhaps this is something we could take care of between ourselves? I confess I feel much the same." "That is certainly worth a try," I agreed. It was some time later that I said, "I think we succeeded." "Respectful Greetings," said White Ghost. "Oh good, he's awake," said Xu Xan. "He's been watching us," I giggled. "How do you... ...I see what you mean," Xu Xan muttered. "Oh well, a kitten can look at a queen." "So sorry, White Ghost, but you must conserve your strength for later." "I told you he likes to look at people." "Well, he will have someone new to feast his eyes upon tonight. Come on, let's get back to the house." Our guest, Li Sza, surprised us by arriving without an attendant. She was a unremarkable except for her piercing dark eye. She was of a rounder figure, but not soft, as Dai Yan had been. Li Sza was firm, and well kept-up. The lack of an attendant was enough to put Meng Chu on her alert, and discreetly she asked if there was anything special that Li Sza required. "I want to be beaten," she announced. Xu Xan and I caught our breath, but Meng Chu did not bat an eyelid. "It is the duty of a hostess to accommodate her guests," she replied sweetly. She directed us to bring out the stocks, and the leather saw-horse, which had puzzled me. Lis Sza removed her robe. We fastened Li Sza into the stocks, by means of her neck and wrists, for which she had to crouch, as the stocks were low. We were to put the saw-horse under her hips, which raised her hindquarters and left her helpless. Mistress then opened the mysterious cupboard, and removed a long quirt of light-brown leather. She smiled when she saw our anxious expressions, and flicked the quirt in the air to test it. At the whistling sound of the quirt, Li Sza moaned. "Are you ready?" asked Meng Chu. "I am ready," Li Sza gulped. Looking us mischievously in the eye, Meng Chu put a finger to her lips and waited. "I'm ready, I'm ready," Li Sza repeated, and without reply, Meng Chu raised the quirt and struck her repeatedly on the legs and buttocks with a violence that shocked me. Li Sza cried out, in pain, as I thought, but the repetition began to sound more like gasps of pleasure. Meng Chu stopped to draw breath, and I touched her arm to quietly ask her if it was wise to show so much vigour in this beating. Meng Chu smiled, and replied "I would be a poor hostess if my guest did not receive the best beating I could muster. And if she deceives herself in asking for a beating, do I not show my kindness in making her understand the error of her request?" As Li Sza was already raising her voice to ask for more, I had no answer to this argument. Mistress threw off her robe and let the quirt fall with an arm unhampered. I realised that Meng Chu enjoyed this, quite as much as Li Sza, and myself began to find a pleasure in the sight. Xu Xan, too, showed a heightened colour, when I turned to look. White Ghost stood beside her with an expression I could not read. Mistress continued her work until she saw that White Ghost's interest had been raised. She threw the quirt on the divan, and grasped White Ghost by his interest, and drew him towards her victim. Her private place was clear to view, and the scent told that pleasure was on her mind. Meng Chu stepped aside saying "Please," which White Ghost now understood very well. Placing his hands on Li Sza's hips he introduced himself, and set the saw-horse rocking with a rhythm of his own. Meng Chu stole behind White Ghost, and waiting until the rhythm paused, struck two fierce blows on his backside. All three yelped – perhaps it was all five – as the matter was concluded. White Ghost gasped, and turned to find Mistress with the quirt in hand. She proffered the weapon to him, and bent over the divan in submission. He waved the quirt experimentally and returned her injury, blow for blow and no more. Then turning to Xu Xan and me, made to chase us. We darted around the room, but knew that this was amusement only. I bent over the divan as Meng Chu had done, and took my two blows with more delight than pain. Xu Xan submitted to her punishment, and the quirt was discarded. Mistress retrieved it and checked to see if Li Sza was ready to be released from the stocks. Apparently she was not. Meng Chu's face darkened, and she strolled to the sideboard and poured out the liqueurs. She passed two glasses to Xu Xan, and explained that one was for her, the other for her to give to Li Sza while she remained in the stocks. White Ghost took a glass, and reclined on the divan, watching Xu Xan helping Li Sza to drink. It was not easy, given the angle at which she was fixed. Mistress beckoned me to the far corner of the divan. "Li Sza wishes for attention to be paid to her other place." "Her other place!" I echoed. "Will White Ghost do that?" "I will not allow White Ghost to do that. It is unhealthy and can lead to disease. I will not put my property at risk. Nevertheless, the wishes of a guest are paramount." "What is to be done?" "I need your assistance with this device. " She led the way to the ornate cupboard, and took from it a v-shaped object hung with straps. She handed it to me to hold while she closed the cupboard, and I looked at it closely. It was like the two great interests of two White Ghosts, fixed base to base. "It is called a feign," she explained. "...because it feigns interest?" I suggested. Mistress smiled and nodded. "What is it made of?" I could not help but ask. "That one is made of wood. There is another of ivory." she answered. "What is ivory?" I wondered. "A hard substance like bone," she replied. Her answer made me smile. "Now help me here," she ordered. Her private place swallowed one half of the v. The effort made her gasp. One strap went around her waist. One went around each thigh, and she could not easily fasten them alone. The last strap went underneath and secured to the belt. "Is it firm?" she asked. "I think so," I said. "Tighten that one," she directed, "and then flick the end." When I did it made her catch her breath. "That will do." she decided. She waved the quirt before her, but her reach did not satisfy her. "This thing gets in my way," she sighed. "You and Xu Xan will have to beat her, and keep White Ghost out of the way." "Now?" I squeaked, as she handed me the quirt. "In a minute. Finish your liqueur first. Let her get a little impatient. Anticipation is part of the pleasure." So we finished out drinks in comfort, as Li Sza fretted and twisted and fumed. Xu Xan brought the empty glasses, reporting, "she's really getting angry." I readied myself and stood waiting. "What's taking so long?" she cried, but the last word was lost in a yelp of surprise, as I followed my instructions. It is a pleasure to give pleasure, and it is a pleasure to give a beating, so the enjoyment was doubled. When my arm tired I passed the quirt to Xu Xan, who took over with enthusiasm. I stepped back and moved against White Ghost, considering how best to occupy him. If I could hold his interest to begin with, then perhaps kneeling against the divan would satisfy us both, and allow me to watch the activities. Xu Xan was producing a steady lash, as if beating a drum, but Mistress could see that the moment had arrived, and waved her to one side. She pressed against Li Sza, who squirmed uncertainly. She drew the tip of her feign to the other place, and pressed home. White Ghost pressed home behind me. Li Sza moaned, and I bit my lip, not wishing to draw attention. Meng Chu moved and Li Sza moved with her, and I could see that the device was having its effect on both women. I wondered what Li Sza would think if she could turn her head, but her neck was fixed. I laughed and felt White Ghost's hands grip tightly on my hips. LI Sza howled and Meng Chu howled, and I howled too. As White Ghost withdrew, so did Meng Chu, and she and he stepped into each other's places. Mistress nodded at Xu Xan to release our prisoner. She twisted her neck to ease the stiffness, and her eye glowed with understanding as it lit upon Meng Chu and me. "I wondered what else was going on," she admitted. "Meng Chu, I did not know you took recourse to such things. Tell me, girl, does this satisfy you?" "Very much so," I declared, glancing at Mistress as demurely as I could. Li Sza's lip twisted, which made me smile. White Ghost was amused by the feign, and peered at it closely. He made to touch it, and Mistress prevented him, directing Xu Xan to fetch a cloth and some white spirit from the cupboard. Xu Xan set about cleaning the exposed parts of the feign. I raised a hand to undo the straps, but Mistress waved me back. "Don't bother," she said. "Once it is on, I keep it on. Throw away that cloth when you are finished." Everyone was interested in the feign and gathered around it. Now that it was cleaned, White Ghost tapped it and made a face at finding it solid and hard. Mistress turned him around as if to use it on him, but he hastily turned back and sat down. It made everyone smile. "Is it uncomfortable?" we asked. "A little," Meng Chu admitted, "but it is pleasant too. It is more cumbersome than uncomfortable." She could not sit straight, but had to recline, resting her weight on her hands. "You bump into things," I remembered. She thought about this, and answered slowly. "It is more that I am afraid I will bump into things. I don't really walk about much while I am wearing it." "Perhaps you should," we suggested. "Just for practice." Meng Chu smiled politely, a hostess indulging her guests, stood, and walked about the room. Her step was shortened by the straps around her legs, but it was clear, after a few steps, that the feign was having an effect. The more she moved, the more her breath shortened. Her colour rose, and she waved for Xu Xan to lend her an arm. Xu Xan helped her to the divan, and invited her to lie down. Mistress lay, but gripped Xu Xan's hand. Xu Xan understood what was wanted, and straddled her at her chest. She lowered herself onto the feign, and lowered herself onto Meng Chu. They set themselves to rocking in a rhythm to please them both. I looked back at White Ghost, to see how his interest was showing, to find that Li Sza was bending forward towards him. She was going to keep White Ghost docile, in the way O Mei had told us. It made me smile to think of her, and then a thought occurred to me. Surely Li Sza understood where White Ghost's interest had just been? I blinked in horror. His interest had not been where she supposed. Did she know that? She shot a sly glance at me, from below, which made me recoil. I could tell that she was deceived in her understanding, and this was deliberate, but she delighted, too, in my distaste. I watched in fascination. I wondered how this would taste and recollected that she was saved from that, at least. Perhaps she wished to use all three opportunities of her body to collect the chi. If that was so, I would choose to order the sequence differently, I thought. You shouldn't think that all our guests were odd or peculiar. There were graceful, accomplished women who entertained us with stories and poems, and those who danced, and those who sang, and even those who played on flute or pi'pa. Without being able to entirely reproduce the stories or the songs in detail, these would be empty narratives. I could list the attitudes in which pleasure was sought, and the pairings and triplings, but you would do better to imagine them for yourselves. I must tell you of one guest who was unusual. We were struck by the look of her as she arrived. She was thin, and had a curious look in her eye. I asked Mistress if she knew her well. She replied, "No. She is recommended by a friend of a friend, and I feel there is something not right about this person. By your question, you feel the same. Keep White Ghost away from her, and we will see how she behaves." White Ghost also seemed to find her suspicious, and politely kept his distance, to her obvious dismay. We sang songs and drank toasts, but did not encourage any serious activity. The guest, whose name was Chen Na, removed her robe and struck a pose that was clearly meant to be provocative. This, more than anything, convinced us that something was wrong. Out of sight, I assisted Meng Chu in attaching the feign. We managed this behind the painted screen. Chen Na's face fell when she saw the feign. Mistress announced that there was a procedure in these matters, and that the feign prepared the way. Chen Na leapt for White Ghost, who seized her around the waist. She moved against him, but his interest was low, and he dragged her from the divan. She struggled viciously, and even bit Shrr Li, but we trapped her in the stocks. With the saw-horse under her hips, she could only kick, and to no good effect. We held her legs as Mistress approached her. As her private place swallowed the feign, she went limp, as if defeated. This was unnatural. Mistress plumbed a little, explored gently, but there was no response, no reaction. She withdrew in some puzzlement. As the feign passed my face, I saw white scars on the dark wood. Mistress' face darkened. "Send a maid to fetch the police," she said. We ordered tea while we waited. The policewoman was the same woman whom we had seen before. She listened to the story and inspected Chen Na and White Ghost. "You must understand that there has been no crime here," she said. "Your property is unharmed. The damage to the feign is trivial. There may be intent, and there may not. Intent is a difficult thing to prove. A magistrate would not accept such a case." "Are we to let her go? This woman is dangerous," complained Meng Chu. The policewoman smiled. "There are other ways of dealing with these things." So far she had only examined Chen Na as to her external appearance. Now she bent and used her finger to explore her private place. Her expression changed, and when she drew out her finger it was torn and bleeding. We were horrified, but the policewoman smiled. "That is a serious assault against an officer of the law," she declared gently. We bound up her finger, which was badly cut. The policewoman produced a length of cord, and when Chen Na was released from the stocks, bound her thumbs together. A stiffer cord went around Chen Na's neck, and the policewoman used her drawn sword to urge her forward. She drove her prisoner forward through the double doors and began to descend the staircase. "Wait!" I said, "Let me get you her clothes!" "That won't be necessary," said the policewoman with a laugh that chilled us. They limped down the stairway. That was the last we saw of them.

Fragment 5 - Posted 28th November 2014

We were distracted and absent-minded all morning. We made our usual excursion to the meadow, but limited our play to kite-flying and skipping. We didn't trust ourselves to play tag. I carried the stick and kept a look-out for bandits, but there were none. I thought we might revise our instruction-book during siesta, but Shrr Li didn't want to, and once she had said so, I realised neither did I. So we fretted and dozed during the midday heat. White Ghost slept soundly, as far as I could tell. Ma Peng told us that we were to eat early and report directly to the Good Fortune Suite, and hinted that White Ghost should be in "parade-ground order". I think she imagines she is still in the army. It was helpful advice all the same, and we spent an hour and some hot water making sure he was as clean as we could make him. He submits to this obediently and with resignation, but I think he secretly enjoys the attention. Then of course we had to tidy ourselves. Ma Chao served us a light meal of spiced noodles. As she collected our bowls, she shot a meaning glance at White Ghost's tooth stick, which was another useful hint. We were clean, neat and fresh of breath when we climbed an unfamiliar staircase, and presented ourselves at the Good Fortune Suite. Meng Chu herself opened the doors to us. They were large double doors and very formal, and she shut them firmly behind us. I touched White Ghost on the back of the hand, which is his signal, and he bowed and said "Respectful Greetings!" Meng Chu clapped her hands and gave a peal of laughter. She was wearing a long flowing garment in broad red and white vertical stripes. It was not clasped, but cunningly weighted at the collar and hem, so that it hung partially open, neither exactly concealing or quite revealing. The sleeves were short, to cover only the upper arm, but cut very wide, although they did not gape. It was plain and rich at the same time, and fascinating to the eye. She let us admire the robe, and explained, "This is the formal garment of the Good Fortune Suite. I have yours here. While you remain in these chambers, these are the only garments you should wear. There are closets here for your normal clothes. When you are ready, please come through." We spent a little time admiring ourselves in these new garments. There was none for White Ghost, nor did we expect any. The closets were carved wood, very rich, and as we put away our clothes we admired these too. Taking a deep breath, we passed underneath the arch and found ourselves in the most elegant room we had ever seen. "Please take your time to look around, " said Meng Chu. The ceiling was arched, or rather domed, with a high lantern that filtered the sunlight and mirrored it around the room. The dome was gilded with an intricate interwoven pattern that dazzled the eye. There were two broad lattice windows , curtained with fine muslin that let the breeze pass, but shielded us from view. In all four corners of the room there was a large oil lantern, each with a shade a globe of frosted glass, so it looked as though a moon floated there. In the centre of the room was a low, padded dais, furnished with bolsters, cushions and pillows. This was big enough to accommodate four people, and I understood that this was bench, divan and bed. A sideboard held a tray of sweetmeats, a decanter and glasses. There were two upright chairs, which seemed a little out of place, and large cushioned footstools. There were also some curious articles I had never seen before. One resembled a woodworker's sawhorse, but upholstered in dark leather. There was a large cupboard with wonderful carvings of dragons and peacocks. I didn't dare to open it. Through another arch was a tiled room with washing facilities and commodes. The main room had large, grand tapestries on the wall, with brilliant colours and eye-catching subjects. One was of goldfish in a pond. Another was of two cranes at sunset. A third depicted a bunch of peonies. The last, which White Ghost was studying, was the Moon Goddess at her bath. Shrr Li was examining a large painted screen, which showed figures of women and ghosts in various forms of embrace. The surprising thing was that the ghosts were not white, or even black, which sometimes happens, but bore the same features and colouring as we do ourselves. "Mistress, I beg to ask, how old is this screen?" The Mistress rose and gazed at the screen wistfully. "You need not be so formal in these chambers. You may call me Chu within these walls. Outside, it will be different, naturally. The screen? I am not sure. Two, three hundred years? It dates from before the second revolution, and possibly before the first. " Shrr Li ventured, "Maybe before the plague?" Mistress blinked, and said, "You mean the plague of plagues? That is only legend, a fairy story. We have no reliable history from that time. But yes, it dates from before the time of trouble." We gazed at the screen, sombrely, each lost in our own thoughts. "What kind of a hostess am I, " wondered Mistress, "letting the mood sink to these depths? We must be friends and we must be cheerful. Let me pour you a glass of this excellent liqueur, and we can nibble on these dainties while we amuse ourselves. Please let White Ghost do his party piece again!" On cue, White Ghost bowed and uttered his "Respectful Greetings", and Meng Chu again clapped her hands and loosed a peal of laughter. "Very good!" she cried. "Can he say anything else?" "Only our names," admitted Shrr Li. "We were thinking of 'please' and 'thank you' but hadn't quite managed it yet." I pointed to myself, and White Ghost managed "Xu Xan". Shrr Li pointed to herself and the name was not quite so clear. Delighted, Meng Chu pointed to herself and White Ghost managed "Meng Chu". "Admirable!" exclaimed the Mistress. "We must learn 'please' and 'thank you'. And this is such a suitable occasion. May I offer you this glass?" She lifted the liqueur glass towards me. Glancing at White Ghost, I said "please", and as I took the glass, "thank you." White Ghost pricked up his ears and was listening carefully. Meng Chu repeated the tableau with Shrr Li and finally, with eyes twinkling, raised a glass towards White Ghost. "Please," he said. He took the glass, and said "Thank you!" Meng Chu laughed delightedly and kissed him on the cheek. This took us all by surprise. We sipped our liqueur. It was sweet and pleasant and very strong. I could see the colour rising in Shrr Li's cheeks, and White Ghost was blinking. "Now make yourselves comfortable, while I do my party piece," announced Meng Chu. We lounged on the great divan and sipped our drinks while the Mistress sang a song about a little girl who had lost her ball. She sang with gestures and facial expressions. It was long and very funny. Shrr Li and I were shaking with laughter and had to use the little tables to set our glasses down , so we could applaud. White Ghost was laughing too, at the gestures and faces, or perhaps just at Shrr Li and me. Meng Chu sighed and collapsed onto the divan. "Who is next?" she asked. We looked blank. "Don't be shy," she said. I hear you singing in the courtyard all the time. Sometimes I stop work to listen. You have lovely voices!" Shrr Li was crimson with embarrassment but I hauled her to her feet and muttered, "The song of the owl" to her. We faltered as we began, but soon sang at full volume, and Shrr Li so far forgot herself as to start treading as if she were in a laundry tub. This was so ridiculous that I had to do the same, and Mistress and White Ghost howled with laughter. When we had bowed to our applause, we made to sit down, but Mistress stopped us, saying, "But there are two of you! You must do two!" I couldn't think of anything, but Shrr Li lifted up her hands and said, "Pat-a-cake!" "Which one?" I asked. "Shoemaker's daughter!" she said. She stamped her foot to give the rhythm, and we pat-a-caked "Shoemaker's daughter". "Again!" she said, and stamped a faster beat. When we finished, I was out of breath and put my hands behind my back, refusing to do more. White Ghost and Meng Chu were clapping wildly. "How lovely!" remarked Meng Chu. "It is such a long time since I've heard such a thing. What a shame it is that we neglect these simple pleasures as we reach maturity. I insist you come and practice these with me. I shall make a point of it. But now, please enjoy your drinks while I light the lamps." In a fluid motion she rose, and lit a taper at wide candle. Lifting the shade she light the wick and trimmed it, then crossed to the opposite corner for that lamp. When she had done she gazed around the room. "I think two lamps are sufficient, don't you?" she remarked. The frosted shades gave the room a kind of welcoming twilight, softening every edge, and blurring every shadow. "Let me take your glasses," she said draining her own. We followed her example, and I felt my head swim for a moment. She stacked the glasses on the sideboard, and shrugged off her flowing robe. In the moody light she was the image of the Moon Goddess at bath. She sank onto the divan and gave each of us a long, slow appraising look. I slipped off my robe and moved forward. She lifted a pale hand and stroked White Ghost where his interest lay. "He is not yet quite ready," she murmured. Shrr Li sat perfectly still, as if afraid to move. "Shrr Li is shy," Meng Chu observed, "Let us make her comfortable." She reached into Shrr Li's robe and caressed her breast. Shrr Li moaned and lifted her face. Meng Chu mirrored her moan and moved forward as if in mute question. At once their lips met, and their bodies too. Shrr Li struggled out of the hampering robe, and I drew it away from her. Meng Chu stroked he breast, her back, returned her kisses, but her eyes returned to White Ghost. I stroked his chest, and felt his interest quicken. Now Meng Chu was lying back on the satin cushions, as Shrr Li plied kisses on her face and breasts. But Meng Chu's stare was fastened on White Ghost, daring him and drawing him. I moved behind Shrr Li, and cupped my hands beneath her breasts. She sighed and leaned back against me, as White Ghost moved forward and centred his interest on Meng Chu's private place. I looked from them to the painted screen and could see the embrace duplicated, there and by my side. We stroked and caressed each other and watched the heaving bodies until the chi was spent, and Shrr Li writhed and pressed herself under my fingers. Can I tell it all? I should consider the honour of the house, my Mistress, my own privacy... But you who read this, you know me not, to whom my secrets are no more than another leaf on the forest floor, you may not judge me. You who are from another village, or another country, or another time, listen, and I will tell you of how we lay glutted with pleasure, and feasted our eyes upon each other's naked bodies until the passion roused again. I will tell you how White Ghost lay prone while we two raised his interest, and with our other hands steadied Meng Chu to stand and straddle him, and lower herself to her best advantage, and to his. Shall I tell you how we kissed Meng Chu's body as she moved, and how White Ghost's hands possessed us both? Can you understand how four bodies can lose themselves together in one act of passion? Distant reader, I wish this joy for you. I woke to find Meng Chu standing, absently watching us, or watching nothing, with a strange smile on her face. As I raised my head she turned to me and spoke, as if to herself. "I feel my body change, like ripples moving on a pond. The chi has quickened within me and I can feel life stirring." I looked and wondered how this could be so. "No-one can know such a thing, and yet I know it. I know it as I feel the sun on my face, or as I walk a path by moonlight." She lowered herself to the divan and whispered in my ear, "the next chi must be yours." I lay and looked at the gilding on the dome, the pattern shifting and wavering in the dim light, and slow as syrup she lay next to me. She took my hand, and kissed it, and her other hand moved slow as syrup between my breasts, down, and down. Her fingers moved, slow as syrup, and stirred my longing, until my hips moved to move her fingers faster. Her hand withdrew, and I lifted my head to ask why, and there was White Ghost, and I drew him to me. How the flesh can be like bone! How the flesh can be like fire! How fire and bone produce such storms and waves! How the raging storm blows out, and leaves such gentle calm! I hugged him to me. My head was pillowed upon Meng Chu's belly when my eyes opened to daylight. Meng Chu lifted her chin so that I turned my head to look. White Ghost and Shrr Li were lying legs entwined. I felt a qualm of jealousy, that died in a moment against the fluid symmetry. Meng Chu and I smiled, and dozed. Breakfast was left on a tray outside the door. We ate informally on the divan, being beyond manners by this time. When our bowls were empty Mistress stretched and yawned. "White Ghost has performed heroically, and we should not expect so much of him on later occasions. We must vacate this room so it can be cleaned. When you take your exercise, take gentle exercise only. I look forward to your company this evening." We were charmed by her solicitude, and we took our leave.  

Fragment 4. Posted 20th October 2014

"Respectful Greetings, O Mei!" "Respectful Greetings, White Ghost! Does he write poetry, too?" O Mei asked, with a squawk of laughter. "We are keeping quiet about that until the book comes out," said Shrr Li, deadpan. O Mei cackled. "How did you know I was here?" she wanted to know. "Just lucky," smiled Xu Xan. The kind of luck where you call in at someone's home for three days until they finally turn up, she thought. Shrr Li smiled sweetly too. "What can I do for you girls?" "We wanted to know where you found White Ghost," Shrr Li announced. Xu Xan nodded. "O, my trade secrets! That's easy enough. It was around the back here," O Mei jerked a thumb. "Can you show us?" "Certainly!" cried O Mei, and stamped off around the hut, with the others following. White Ghost was looking around with interest, as O Mei flattened herself against the back of the hut. "I got him like this, here, with my crook!" The girls looked questions at White Ghost. He nodded and took O Mei's place against the hut. O Mei stood back. The girls frowned. "Where was he coming from?" Shrr Li wondered. "Up there, I should think," O Mei waved an arm in the direction of the hill. "Ghost Mountain!" said Xu Xan. "Of course!" "Why of course?" countered Shrr Li, "There are hundreds of Ghost Mountains." "Well, aren't there hundreds of White Ghosts?" Shrr Li had to think about this. "Mm. I think I see what you mean. You think they hatch up there, or something?" Xu Xan rolled her eyes. "Or something, yes." White Ghost was already heading up the slope. When they caught up with him he was traversing the side of the hill, examining the ground and studying the view. "I wish I hadn't worn my good shoes," lamented Shrr Li. White Ghost was moving more slowly now. O Mei and the girls took in the landscape. "Pretty! We should come up here more often," said Xu Xan. "Perhaps we should suggest it to Meng Chu for a picnic," retorted Shrr Li with delicate irony. "Good idea!" Xu Xan said, oblivious. White Ghost was standing still now. He looked towards the girls, then lay down on the slope. Xu Xan jumped up and down. Then she motioned to White Ghost to stay where he was. "I should have brought something to mark the spot," she moaned, looking around her. "Why bother? He didn't take long to find it, he can find it again," Shrr Li pointed out. "He might not be here," hinted Xu Xan. Shrr Li pursed her lips and frowned. "We could mark it with stones," she suggested. "Excellent! O Mei, can you help?" "Yes, yes. Go up the slope and roll them down. It's easier than carrying them up. You want big stones or you won't see them. " Once the first few stones were in place, White Ghost was allowed to move, and he helped. When at last they had a ring of stones, he lay down again in the middle of it, stood up to check the view, and nodded. "Is that it?" asked Shrr Li, "Is that where he hatched?" O Mei choked. "I think this is where he arrived," corrected Xu Xan. "Arrived? Arrived from where?" Shrr Li wanted to know. "I have no idea," Xu Xan admitted. Shrr Li looked lost. "Imagine two pictures. One picture is lying on top of the other. What if a figure from one picture moved to the other picture? It would be completely out of place." "I don't understand," sighed Shrr Li. "I do," said O Mei, grimly. "Go on, girl." "What if this happened as a regular thing, so regular that people began to expect it? A whole set of laws, procedures, instruction books rose up around it? A whole culture?" "And nobody ever wondered what was happening? Nobody questioned it until now?" Shrr Li demanded. "Not if it filled a need," O Mei murmured slowly. "What need? – Oh!" Shrr Li was suddenly silent. "We depend on these strangers." "There must have been some terrible plague, or something." Xu Xan considered. "It must still be," O Mei observed, thoughtfully. "It must still be," Xu Xan echoed in agreement. Shrr Li looked ashen, and sat down suddenly. "I feel sick," she said. O Mei produced a small leather bottle and made her drink. Shrr Li spluttered, but her colour returned. "Medicine," O Mei explained to Xu Xan. "Medicine," Xu Xan agreed. White Ghost looked at the bottle with interest and O Mei hastily tucked it away. When Shrr Li was ready to walk, she leaned on White Ghost's arm for support. "That's clever, girl," admitted O Mei as they clambered down the slope, "I never heard anyone else come up with that. The very best ideas are the ones that sound obvious once someone has stated them." She looked at Xu Xan. Xu Xan looked back. "So what do we do with this information?" O Mei asked. Xu Xan paused. "I don't know," she confessed.   "I have a bad feeling about this," I said. "What's the problem? A half-day at the baths, courtesy of the Mistress, now the Dark Cloud has passed and everybody is over it! It's very kind of her and I love a pamper-day. I thought you did too!" Xu Xan was in a bubbly mood. "It's White Ghost I'm concerned about. Do you think it's a good idea to bring him here?" "Why not? Let somebody else clean him up for a change." Xu Xan threw her clothes into her locker. I unbuckled his collar and set it on my clothes in my own locker, and handed him his towel. "At least he's not likely to run off," I admitted. Xu Xan laughed. "Our little shadow? I should think not! Anyway, it's a treat for him! He likes to look at people when they aren't wearing anything. Haven't you noticed?" "Yes, I've been measuring him by eye. It's easy to tell when his interest grows. I just hope he doesn't get too interested." "We can deal with that. People like to look too, have you noticed that?" As we passed into the cool room, all eyes turned to us and the conversation paused. Xu Xan tapped White Ghost on the hand, and he uttered a "Respectful Greetings" to the room in general. There was a ripple of laughter and the murmur of conversation resumed. "Let's have a quick dip and go straight to the warm room," I suggested. "Who is here? Is it just people from our house?" "Yes, Meng Chu booked the whole place. Ma Chao took the morning squad, and Ma Peng is in charge of us. But it's only our house. You can rest easy." We stepped down into the water. White Ghost needed no persuasion, but strode ahead and plunged into the water. In a moment we could see he was swimming the length of the pool. "Our charge continues to surprise us. We should take him here for exercise!" remarked Xu Xan. "You're joking!" I said. "I suppose so," Xu Xan giggled. "He might get too much exercise." I stared at her and she rolled her eyes. She swam a width just to get away, I think. As I lunged to follow, I saw White Ghost change stroke from breast-stroke to freestyle as he turned to do a second length. I caught him on his return and beckoned him to walk with us to the warm room. Ma Peng was there, sitting on the higher tier of benches, with one foot up, which I thought was a little rude. Some of the older women like to wrap their towel around them, but she preferred not to. Xu Xan saw me turn my face away, and immediately adopted the same pose on the tier below. She was smiling with mischief when I looked her way. White Ghost was trying not to look, but not doing very well. His interest was showing. I pressed my lips together, leaned back and closed my eyes. We had been sitting for a few minutes when Ma Peng said "I'm glad I found you girls. Meng Chu has ordered a special massage for you." "For both of us?" Xu Xan wanted to know. "For all three of you," replied Ma Peng. That is kind of her," remarked Xu Xan, and I agreed. "Is it booked for a particular time?" I asked. Ma Peng shook her head. "No, but I shouldn't leave it too late if I were you. You have time to use the hot room. I would." She wiggled her backside to give White Ghost a better view, and I took the hint. "Thank you, Ma Peng, as always, we value your advice," I said as I stood. She chuckled as we left. I could feel the sweat breaking out on my skin as we walked into the hot room. Xu Xan climbed up to the top tier and sat with both feet apart. I wiped the perspiration out of my eyes and looked at her. "Don't be such a fusspot and come up here," she said. I climbed up. "It's even hotter up here!" I gasped. Xu Xan nodded happily. White Ghost stayed on the lower tiers where he could watch us. I gave up, lay back and closed my eyes. Eventually Xu Xan nudged me. "I've never seen anyone sweat so much," she said. I looked. He was bright pink, and dripping. "Let's get him out of here," I said. We slapped him on the shoulder and he lurched through the door. I caught him around the middle and dragged him to the plunge-pool. As we clambered out Xu Xan crooned, "No, no, stay in, I'm sure it could take three of us..." I could only gasp as the cold seeped through, and blinked as Xu Xan splashed in. "We warmed it up for you," I declared, as she gasped in turn. "Of course you did," she said, spluttering, "I could tell!" As we sat sipping sherbet in the cool room, I could see the masseuses hovering by the door. There was no mistaking which customers were to be their clients. "Come on," I sighed, "Let's not keep them waiting." Xu Xan nudged White Ghost, but he was already on his feet. "Special massage," Xu Xan mused. "Extra ylang-ylang, do you think? That would be nice." The masseuse closed the door behind us and launched into a prepared speech. "We have three clients and only two masseuses, so I humbly beg you to relax while we deal with one of your number first. To shorten the delay, we will both work on one subject. Please help yourself to cold drinks." The partition curtains had been drawn back, and all three massage-benches were in one open space. The masseuses ushered White Ghost onto the middle bench, and Xu Xan and I lounged on the other benches to watch. The masseuses were sturdy women, but not fat. They wore white aprons which covered the lower halves of their bodies. Sometimes they wear white vests, but not today. Their arms showed firm muscles and their breasts were firm. Their skin shone with massage-oil. Some masseuses go in for body-building. Perhaps these did. They looked good. As he lay on his stomach, they each took an arm, and wrung it, massaging up to the shoulder. Then they treated his back and legs, each woman taking half the body, and moving in clear co-ordination. It is absorbing to watch experts at their profession. They paid attention to the shoulders and neck, where the tension lies, and worked hard on the muscles there. They wrung out the legs, as they had done the arms, and worked the fleshy lower back, where tension is more subtle. To finish, they made long, flowing strokes down the length of the body, beginning firmly, then reducing the pressure until they were no more than tracing their fingertips down the length of his body. Patting his shoulders gently, they indicated that he turn over. When he had done so, they changed their approach. One took his head, working from the back of his neck, around through his hair to his face, taking time and taking care. The other massaged his chest and stomach , and the front of his legs. The head massage had finished, and that masseuse placed a hand on the bench on either side of his head, and leaned slightly forward. The other massaged the part they had left untouched until then. I saw Xu Xan's mouth open and realised that mine was open too. In a moment, he had spent his chi, and the masseuse was wiping him with a towel. They furnished him with a cool drink, and separated to approach us. "This is something you need to know, yes?" said my attendant. "We do something similar," I admitted. "That is good," she answered, "There are many ways of achieving the same result, but the general principle is the same." She removed my empty beaker, I lay on my stomach and she began to work. With only one attendant, it was slower than before, but she was thorough and firm. I thought the light tracings down my back would sent me to sleep. She worked my arms when I had turned on my back. She had worked my shoulders, legs and stomach and paused before touching my breasts. Her touch was so light, so delicate and yet so exciting. I opened my eyes – they were shut – and found that she was using her lips and tongue. She looked up at me and smiled. Her hand had found my private place and was working in an expert way. I shut my eyes and gave a moan of pleasure, and found that her mouth was on mine, her tongue was darting inside my mouth while her finger was darting elsewhere. Then she drew me down the bench and used her tongue where her finger had been. If women have chi to spend, then that is where I spent mine. The masseuse bent her head to my ear and murmured, "If you wish to do me the honour of accepting another special massage at another time, please ask for Pei Ling. If you move to the cool room you can enjoy a cool drink in more comfort until your present lassitude wears off. We find our patrons profit best by using the hot room after a massage of this type. " We stumbled off to the cool room as the attendants watched with professional smiles. We sipped our drinks slowly, and when they were finished we felt less sleepy. A few stragglers were returning from the warm room, and lazily wading in the pool. The pool looked inviting, but I felt that I would sink to the bottom. We sat for a few minutes in the warm room, to prepare ourselves, and then moved to the hot room. Everyone else had gone and we had it to ourselves. Xu Xan looked at me with wide-eyed innocence. "Has your bad feeling gone yet?" she asked. I cupped my hand around her breast. She smiled and moved it to her private place. "Poor White Ghost will feel left out," I said. "Surely not," she hazarded, and stretched out to stroke White Ghost where it had most effect. White Ghost in turn paid attention to her breasts. In this way we learned to practice a little massage upon each other. No more chi was spent, but we took pleasure in what we did. The hot room was a shrewd suggestion, as we could not spend too long there. The cold plunge shocked us into a pretence of decorum. The warm room was empty when we looked in. We found that we were the last occupants of the cool room, and the last clients of the baths. Pei Ling watched us gathering our towels and told us that the baths were booked for another hour, and we were more than welcome to stay. The mood was broken, though, and we knew it was time to go. I tipped her well, and she looked almost sorrowful. "Please come back soon," she said simply, which tugged at my heart. Ma Chao had a hot beef curry waiting for us when we returned to the house. Everyone had relaxed smiles, even Ma Peng. After supper we went to Meng Chu's evening room to thank her for the baths. "The house needed some indulgence, and I'm delighted that you enjoyed it," she smiled. "I'm sure you understand now a little better what is required of you." We nodded politely and innocently. "Now your duties begin in earnest. I have had the room of good fortune prepared. For the following three nights you will attend upon me. Now you may go, and," she smiled thoughtfully, "get some rest." We were as clean as new hairpins, so there was no need to do more than clean our teeth. The pallet bed on the roof drew all three of us like a magnet. Scarcely had we undressed before our hands were moving over one another's skin. We lost ourselves in a tangle of legs and tongues, and spilled chi. Languidly we gazed up at the stars as sleep drifted over us.  

Fragment 3 - Posted 9th October 2014

I felt terrible in the morning. At first I thought I had eaten something bad, and that made me worried for a moment. Then I realised what the pain was. I went and used my sponge and reported to Ma Peng and told her I had the Dark Cloud. She smiled wryly, and told me that everybody in the house had it. I stared. Ma Peng looked surprised and said "It is the gift of the White Ghost. Didn't you do this at school?" She laughed at my expression and said, "Meng Chu has your documents. We forgot them in all the excitement last night. And I believe a there is a book of instruction comes with them." Xu Xan climbed down the stairs with White Ghost just then, and she looked as bad as I felt. We left White Ghost in the courtyard and knocked at Meng Chu's study. She looked troubled too. She formally presented our documents and congratulated us again, and handed over a small book. There was only one, she apologised. They were in short supply. She hoped we would manage. She was making every effort to find another copy. She sighed and sat down. "Dark Cloud day," she said. "Every rose has its thorn. I expect I shall see you at the Temple." We agreed and withdrew. Breakfast was porridge-meal and fruit salad, and bitter tea. It would be plain meals until Dark Cloud was over, to make things easier for the kitchen staff. No-one has the stomach for anything richer, and it does help to make your insides feel better. White Ghost was puzzled and worried, as everyone was smiling at him in a regretful way. Xu Xan asked if we were going to the Temple, but I said we would go to the meadow first. I tapped the little instruction book, and she understood. I took the ball and the skipping-rope. The kite had broken in the tussle. The gardener could mend it with a new stick, but that could be done later. Xu Xan took the staff in her good hand, and I took the leash, and we stepped out gingerly into the lane. Even White Ghost looked around warily. We walked in the middle of the narrow lanes, avoiding the corners, and felt much happier when we came to the meadow. We gave the ball and the skipping-rope to White Ghost and sat down to read the book. It was in very small writing. I leafed through it to see if there was a summary. There was no summary, but there were some illustrations. "Look at this," I said to Xu Xan. She looked and giggled. "So we know where O Mei got her information," she said. "Here's a diagram of their interest!" "It must be important, then. What's that?" "I think that's us. I mean, that's ours. O My!" I looked at the next illustration. "O my!" I echoed. We looked at each other, and then we looked at White Ghost, who was playing with the ball. "As Full Custodians, you will be expected to assist." "That will be interesting." "There is a lot here." "Why don't you read five pages out loud to me, and I'll read five pages out loud to you. We'll finish the thing in a couple of days." "Five pages! Have you seen you small this type is? Two pages each. We'll read it morning and afternoon. We still have to exercise White Ghost." "It'll take a month!" "We'll have to take it in turns to read it quietly during siesta, then, unless we can beg a lamp to read it at night." "Siesta. We can read during the heat. If we don't get our sleep we'll be fit for nothing. Come on, the sooner we start, the sooner we're done." So I read out loud, as best I could, stumbling over the difficult words, and going back to read a sentence again when Xu Xan asked. After two pages Xu Xan took the book from me, but didn't do much better. The information was there though, and we began to understand the duties of our position. "Whew!" said Xu Xan, as she closed the book. "Not such a sinecure as all that. Come on, let's go to the Temple. We ought to make some big offerings." I whistled to White Ghost, who was trying to play with the skipping-rope on his own. He had no notion of time, and didn't notice we had not stayed as long as usual. Probably it didn't mean anything to him. He was surprised, though, when we didn't follow the lane back to the house, but walked through the market square and on to the Temple. We stopped outside and bought some flowers and incense from the hawkers. Xu Xan was frowning at me: too much! I said to her, look, we are making an offering to ease the Dark Cloud, that's one; we are giving thanks for our promotion, that's two; and we're giving thanks for coming out of a nasty incident in one piece. Xu Xan looked at her sling and looked at me. I told her that she might have been hit on the head. We were not completely sure if White Ghosts were allowed in the Temple, but we thought they were. Neither of us wanted to wait outside, so we crossed our fingers and just walked in. We took our flowers up to the big statue of Moon Goddess, and lit our incense, and sat for a while to enjoy the scents and the sound of the nuns chanting. White Ghost looked around with great interest, twisting his neck this way and that, but otherwise sitting still. One of the nuns, in passing, remarked what a well-behaved creature he was, and we glowed with pride. Then she slyly offered to bless him for five copper cash. Xu Xan would have said no, but I nudged her silent, and handed over the cash straight away. The nun ushered us into a little side-chapel, where she burned some incense and had us kowtow. There was a smaller statue there, very delicate and beautiful. Then she rang a little bell as she anointed White Ghost with ceremonial oil. She spooned oil on his head, on his shoulders, on his breast and on his interest, chanting all the while and ringing her bell. When this was over, Xu Xan asked if the oil tasted of anything, which puzzled the nun and made me splutter with laughter. We all kowtowed to her in thanks, even White Ghost, who is good at copying what we do. This delighted the nun, and she hurried off to tell her fellows. On our way out we kowtowed to Meng Chu, who was just arriving. She nodded at the sight of the oil on White Ghost's shoulders. I said "He is blessed." Meng Chu replied "We are all blessed." For another person to say, it would have been trite and pious, but I felt she was right. Nervously we took a stroll around the square to look at the market stalls. Xu Xan kept firm hold of her staff, and I kept firm hold on the leash. We were a little distracted because of this, and none of the stalls had much interest for us. Xu Xan nodded towards a stall of sweetmeats, but I wasn't interested. Ma Chao does better. Instead we bought a poke of prawn crackers, and shared them out on our way back, staring at anyone who might come too close. No-one did, and we began to grow a little more confident. Lunch was plain noodles. Nobody asked for sauce. It was a grim meal. We lurked around the courtyard until the gong sounded. Xu Xan took the book first. I had only closed my eyes when she nudged me awake and indicated for me to read a page. It made me sit up. I read on until Xu Xan got impatient and started to read over my shoulder. We didn't dare to stop. When the gong sounded for resumption of duties, we looked at each other, each holding a corner of the little book. "Meadow?" said Xu Xan. "Courtyard, " I replied. I didn't want to wait any more than I had to. We devoured the book, while White Ghost wandered the courtyard and smelled the flowers. We finished it and set the book down. I felt as though my head would burst. "I feel sick," said Xu Xan. "Dark Cloud?" I asked. "I don't think so." "A more responsible position than we had thought." "Nothing lasts for ever." "No," she answered, looking at White Ghost. "Some things last a long time, though." "Come on," she said. "Let's exercise the beast. I want to run around, I think." We took the ball, but played tag, in slow motion, or so it seemed, slowed by our skirts and our mood. White Ghost ran circles around us, tagging us only when he could not avoid it. Finally we gave up and lay looking at the sky. "Coming events cast their shadow before. I never understood what that meant until now." "Where does O Mei live?" "No idea. Ma Peng will know. Why?" "I want to ask her some questions. Should we go together? I mean, should we all go?" "Certainly. Why not? What do you want to ask her?" "I'm not sure yet. But I'll work it out." We were afraid to let the sun fall too low before we made our way back. The lanes were empty, to our great relief. We were glad to be indoors again. We ate Ma Chao's special rice, which was almost too rich for us, and smoked our pipes quietly. Ma Peng told us that it was cloudy, and it might be a good idea to put our awnings up. In the washroom I helped Xu Xan. She dabbed a finger at White Ghost's shoulder and licked the oil she picked up. "Mm. Clean it off his shoulders and head but leave the rest. I want to taste the oil." I fixed up the awning and Xu Xan set White Ghost to lie on his side at the edge of the pallet. "That's a good idea," I said. "I don't want him to fall on me," she answered. Then she knelt and milked his chi. She seemed to manage well enough. He curled up into a ball as he was spent. Xu Xan rocked back on her heels, smiled, and stood up. "I think the nicest bit is that he enjoys it," she decided. I nodded. "What did the oil taste like?" I asked. Xu Xan shrugged, and shook her head. "I don't know. Nothing. I can't remember," she said. We crept under the awning and settled ourselves. That night there was a thunderstorm and the rain ran off the awning in streams. It felt as if the whole world was crying.  

Fragment 2 - Posted 26 Sept 2014

Fell asleep so quickly. Such an exciting day! White Ghost was pressed against my back. Something had been forgotten. My sleep was uneasy, trying to remember. The sound of the morning gong brought the erring memory back. It was the method to keep White Ghost docile, that O Mei told us at the courtyard gate. My heart chilled. My neglect would make White Ghost savage! No time for that now! Wash and dress and collect night containers, and set out latrine trays. White Ghost seems docile, and eager to help. It is funny how he uses the latrine, just like a person! He saw me looking at him, worried that he would suddenly become savage, and he nodded and smiled, just like a person! He has learned our names, and his own, which is so sweet! But then parrots and mynah birds speak just like people, so why not White Ghost, too? It is a thing I never heard of, but it seems less curious when I think of the talking birds. Breakfast was spring-rolls. We each got two, but I think Ma Chao gave three to White Ghost! She is making a pet of him! We should be jealous, but I think we are making a pet of him too. Today was laundry day, so after we had cleaned the rooms, we set out the big laundry-tubs in the big courtyard. Shrr Li and I were to do the treading, and White Ghost came and did treading too. If you've never seen us do the laundry, this is how it happens. We load the clothes into the big tubs with water and soap, and then we step into the tubs barefoot and tread the clothes to clean them. Then we empty the dirty water and rinse the clothes in clean water. Finally we wring them out and dry them on the roof. It takes time, and we sing songs to help pass the time and to keep a good rhythm. Meng Chu sometimes pauses in her work to come and listen to us. She likes to hear the songs, and is interested when we have a new one. White Ghost enjoyed the songs too, and seemed to sing along. Not with words, of course, but making the tune with sounds. The sounds he makes are much lower than a person's. In some songs they make the song worse, but in others they sound very good. Meng Chu was interested to hear this. Then she told us to make sure to walk White Ghost as soon as the laundry was finished. I think she was afraid he would make a nuisance in the laundry! She doesn't know about the latrine. White Ghost is very well trained already, it seems! It made us smile, but we must do as she says. We thought Ma Peng would be annoyed. She was, but she was annoyed that we had not walked White Ghost first thing. I said I was on Latrine Duty, but she told us that White Ghost takes precedence, and we were to exercise him once in the morning and once in the afternoon, whatever else was happening. This was great news! As politely as I could, I pointed out that White Ghost was very well trained, and asked if it was allowed for us to walk after breakfast. Ma Peng considered and agreed. Wonder of wonders! At a stroke our jobs are lightened. It was bad to work in the fields, and much better as a servant in a rich house, but this, this is a sinecure! What luck! Of course it will not last forever, but it is churlish not to appreciate good fortune. It would be a more difficult task if White Ghost was not so well trained already. We were merry and light-hearted as we slipped through the courtyard gate and into the narrow lane. When we reached the meadow, Shrr Li produced three steamed buns that she had begged from Ma Chao. We are quite the favourites, now! Shrr Li let White Ghost off the leash, and he sat and ate the bun like a proper person. Shrr Li and I lay and talked, while White Ghost wandered about the meadow. I worried that he might run off, but after exploring for a while, he brought back a coloured ball that some child had dropped. We tried to make him fetch the ball, but he had no enthusiasm for that, and instead of carrying the ball back, as we expected, he threw it. So we played a catching game. Catching games have songs, so we sang as we played our game. Now here is an odd thing. As we played our catching game, two girls and a White Ghost, I had a sudden vision, as if we were caught in a picture. The picture was in a stack of pictures, all similar, with tiny differences. In some the picture was a right thing, and in others it was strange and wonderful, or even strange and dangerous. It made me gasp and catch my breath, and I had to sit down. I tried to explain it to Shrr Li, but I don't think she understood. I'm not sure I understood, myself. Shrr Li said that perhaps this White Ghost was from a different picture. Sometimes I think I know what she meant. Sometimes it just makes my head spin. To distract us, I started to play pat-a-cake. Shrr Li knew three or four of these, just as I did, and we played them all. White Ghost was watching with great interest. Shrr Li tried to teach him one, but he could not manage it. He tried hard, and it made us laugh. It helped us to remember that White Ghost is not a person, and there are things we should not expect of him. Shrr Li had an idea, and had some scheme in mind. I could see it in her face, but she would not say what it was. Instead she slapped my arm and ran away. She was playing tag. I dashed after her. It is hard to run in long skirts. She feinted, and ran the other way. White Ghost looked on, and I saw he knew this game. He was closer, so I slapped his arm. He made to run after me, but he had no skirts and was much faster. I think he saw that it was no fun to catch an easy target, so ran after Shrr Li instead. She squealed and ran back, and White Ghost turned to chase me again. And we ran back and forth until White Ghost caught us both and we landed in a heap. I like White Ghost to chase me. I should be frightened, but I am not. It is only a game, but I like it. Shrr Li says the same. Maybe we just like to be chased. We were out of breath after running, so we just lay and watched the sky until we decided we had better return to the house. In the narrow lane, a shabby woman approached us and begged us for the use of White Ghost. I told her that was impossible. We were the guardians, not the owners of White Ghost and had no authority. If she wanted such a thing she should ask the owner, at the house of Meng Chu. She seemed to expect this refusal and slunk away. This shocked and frightened me. I had thought two of us to mind White Ghost was unnecessary, but now I see it is an obvious precaution. Perhaps we should take sticks with us. We were subdued and quiet as we entered the courtyard gate, and White Ghost peered at our faces wondering what had caused this change of mood. We felt guilty for our lazy morning, and went to help in the kitchen. Ma Chao is always glad of help. White Ghost we sent into the courtyard, but after he wandered aimlessly, he came and sat on the bench near the kitchen and watched us at our work. Once Ma Chao noticed this she dropped what she was doing and beckoned him into the kitchen. She checked his paws to see that they were clean, and gave him a knife and a basket of onions, and stood him at a counter with a chopping-board. He smiled and started to chop as if he was born in a kitchen. Ma Chao chuckled and slapped him on the bottom. She laughed to herself as she went back to her pots. White Ghost looked startled but not hurt or upset, and chuckled, too, as he looked around at Ma Chao. I thought that I would like to slap White Ghost on the bottom, but Ma Chao told me to get on with what I was doing. Ma Peng drew in her breath sharply when she saw White Ghost with a knife. Ma Chao rules the kitchen, and Ma Peng could only politely suggest. Ma Chao countered all her objections, and said she should raise it with Meng Chu if she felt that way about it. They both looked at White Ghost, who set down the knife and stepped back from the counter. Ma Peng blinked, and Ma Chao waved her arm and shouted at him to get busy. Ma Peng suggested that at least the Mistress should know what was happening, and Ma Chao agreed with a shrug. We had finished our meal, and the siesta gong was already sounding as we were summoned to the Mistress's study. Meng Chu wanted all of us there: Ma Peng, Ma Chao, Shrr Li and me, and of course White Ghost. Ma Peng briefly explained what she had seen, and Ma Chao confirmed it. She stated that an extra pair of hands was always useful, and that White Ghost was intelligent and capable. Meng Chu dryly said "Hands, or paws?" but Ma Chao was unabashed. Either one, she replied, if they could do the job. Meng Chu arose and studied White Ghost's hands, and peered into his eyes for a sign of intelligence. Suddenly she swept her arm at his head and snapped her fingers. White Ghost ducked back and blinked, but made no other movement. Meng Chu did the same with the other arm, and White Ghost stood his ground with a smile. Ma Peng looked white as a sheet. Ma Chao was smothering a smile. Meng Chu was smiling too, as she seated herself and gave her judgement. Ma Chao may use White Ghost in the kitchen. If there was any problem, Ma Chao would be held responsible. While White Ghost is in the kitchen, he should wear an apron, for hygiene and his own protection. If he was unable to wear an apron, he should not work there. Then she turned to us, and I trembled. Meng Chu is pleased with the progress that White Ghost has made, and formally appoints Shrr Li and Xu Xan as Full Custodians of White Ghost. Documents to this effect would be made out the same day. I thought my heart had stopped. What an honour! Shrr Li and I stammered out our thanks, and we were dismissed. We descended the staircase in silence, but as we stepped down, Ma Chao congratulated us with tears in her eyes and hugged us. She even hugged White Ghost. To our surprise, Ma Peng congratulated us too, with less emotion, but with sincerity. She said we would do well, and the honour was well deserved. It was strange to hear her speak to us so politely. She said she was going to lie down for the noonday heat, and suggested we do the same. Shrr Li had already slung the leash across her shoulder like a bandolier, to mark her new position. When we were given our documents, I could do the same. I was so excited I thought I would toss and turn, but I was asleep as soon as I shut my eyes. When the gong sound for the end of midday heat, I felt as though I was in another world. Ma Chao called us into the kitchen. Shrr Li had made herself scarce. I tied an apron around White ghost. The change made my eyes pop. All at once White Ghost looked, not like a person exactly, but more like a person. This made me wonder what makes a person. Is it no more than clothes and speech? White Ghost was nearly the same shape and size as a person. What if he was a person, really? It made my head spin. I thought of the stack of pictures in my vision, and thought that maybe White Ghost was a person in one of those pictures. Perhaps in many of those pictures. It was as if the earth shook beneath my feet. Then he turned and I saw his bare back and was a little reassured. My mind had taken the seed of an idea, and this would take time to grow. For now it was time to chop ginger. Ma Chao had given White Ghost fresh chillies to chop. I thought this was mean of her. Then I saw that it was a test. Ma Chao really is a very clever woman. I hope someday I will be as clever as her. White Ghost smelled the chillies, and took great care not to touch his face after he chopped. When he was done, he moved to the basins and washed his hands very thoroughly. White Ghost is really very clever too. I have never heard of any White Ghost behaving with such thought and understanding. Shrr Li appeared, with a new leash for me. Ma Chao was content, and waved us away. I helped White Ghost out of his apron, and hung it up. This was disturbing. For a moment he was a person without clothes, and then he was no more than White Ghost. Shrr Li was keen to go out, and I could tell she had something up her sleeve. She clipped her leash onto White Ghost's collar, and I wore the other over my shoulder. She refused to speak until we had reached the meadow. Once there, from her skirts she produced a bran-new ball, a skipping-rope and a small kite. "Where did you get those?" I asked her. "From a pedlar in the square, " she said. "How much did they cost?" I asked immediately. We did not have much by way of pocket money. "Nothing at all!" she beamed, "I asked Ma Peng for permission, and she gave me money out of petty cash! And I was good and haggled the price down. All for White Ghost! Aren't we lucky?" "What shall we do first?" We decided to use the skipping-rope first. Shrr Li and White Ghost turned the rope and I jumped as we sang a skipping rhyme. Shrr Li and I changed places, and then we turned the rope for White Ghost. He was not very good, but was doing better after a few goes. He didn't get to the end of the song. That would have been too much to expect. But we felt like schoolgirls again. We were out of breath by the time we got the kite up. We thought it best not to give the kite to White Ghost until we had it in the air. He followed us obediently and ran when we ran, and stopped when we stopped. When it was steady in the air, Shrr Li passed the string to him. He tugged the string gently, to assess the pull, and moved sideways so the kite shifted into the wind. We were impressed. I reflected that he could feel the wind much better than we could, as we could only feel it on our faces, so it was not so surprising. He played out the string, and the kite went higher and higher until it was hard to see. It was only a small kite. It puzzles me that the string curves. I don't know why it doesn't go straight. The sun was getting low, now. We had to reel in the kite, and there was no time to play ball. Shrr Li tucked the toys into her apron, and we climbed over the stile and into the lane. I took the leash and we plodded along slowly. The evening was drawing on and the lane was in deep shadow. We turned the corner and moved aside to avoid some people coming the other way. I felt a sudden pain in my arm and cried out and dropped the leash. Someone had hit my arm with a stick! I turned in astonishment, and saw that a woman had snatched the leash and was pulling White Ghost away with her. Another woman was waving the stick at us, in case we tried to follow. White Ghost did not want to go, and pulled back. He seized the leash and pulled the woman back towards us. When her partner saw this, she hit White Ghost with the stick. He sprang at her and seized the other end of the stick, which was long. As they struggled for possession, Shrr Li pummelled and slapped the woman. The other grabbed at the leash. My arm hurt like fire, but I ran to block her movement. We darted from side to side like fighting fish. Behind me there was the sound of a blow, as White Ghost had taken the stick and struck the bandit. This was enough to make both the women turn and run. They ran in different directions and were out of sight in a moment. We were too shaken to follow. Ma Peng sent for the Police. Ma Cao tended my arm. It was not broken but badly bruised. I got a poultice and a sling, and some bitter tea. A policewoman arrived very quickly. She was a big woman with her hair cropped short. She wore boots and trousers, and a sword. Meng Chu came to the servants' hall to hear us tell our story. The policewoman examined the stick, but it was a plain stick, with no mark of any kind. She looked at my arm, which was already beginning to discolour. She asked to see the licence for White Ghost, and checked the dates carefully before handing it back. Then she asked if anything unusual had happened before the attack. Shrr Li and I remembered at the same time and looked at each other, and we told her about the beggar woman. Meng Chu twisted her face in disgust. When we had finished, the policewoman nodded. She said, "That is the usual way of these things. They acted quickly. They will go just as quickly. The girls are brave, and the White Ghost is faithful. You saw them off in short order and I do not think they will try again. In fact, it is the way of things that this story will go about, and bandits will be wary of you. Despite that, it would be simple prudence to take this stick with you when you go out. " Meng Chu asked if there was any hope of catching the bandits, but the policewoman sadly shook her head. "Without descriptions, without identification, it cannot be done. But I know those who would try such a contemptible thing. They have no respect for the law. They will offend again and they will be caught." Meng Chu smiled politely but I could see disbelief in her eye. She asked if we needed a girl to help us while my arm was bad, but I said no. Evening meal was uncomfortable. I had to eat left-handed. We were heroines, though, and we had to tell the story over and over. No one complained when we were given second portions. Our pipes were prepared first and we were given first entry to the washroom. Shrr Li had to help me wash. White Ghost did his best to wash himself, which helped. As we climbed up to the roof I thought it had been a very long day. Suddenly I remembered O Mei and her advice. "You will have to do it," I told Shrr Li. "Do what?" she asked. "The thing to keep White Ghost docile." "He is docile now!" "He struck the bandit with the stick. He is strong. What if he were to turn savage?" Shrr Li pulled a long face and asked what she had to do. I told her what O Mei had told me. She was to kneel before him and place his hands on her head. Then she was to take his interest in her mouth. "His what?" Shrr Li asked. "It will be right in front of your face," I explained. "Oh, that!" she replied. Shrr Li twisted her face and said that at least she knew he was clean as she had washed him herself. I pointed out that I would do it but for my arm, and promised I would do it the following night. It seemed only fair to take turns. I sat and watched as Shrr Li knelt. I couldn't see what was happening. I don't know what I expected. It took longer than I imagined, although I suppose it was not long. Shrr Li moved her head around, and White Ghost seemed to tremble. She choked, and White Ghost sat down suddenly on the bed, which made me jump. I thought she had bitten him and looked closely at him. It was big! He was showing a great deal of interest! It seemed to shrink as I watched! I looked at Shrr Li, who was wiping her mouth. "He spent his chi," she smiled, with glee. I stared questions at her. "I swallowed it," she shrugged. "Was it bad?" I asked. "No," she reflected, "it was quite nice, really. And look, White Ghost is docile!" It was true. White Ghost seemed very languid, and on the verge of sleep. "You stole his chi!" "I'm sure he will make more. He has lots of chi. Think of it as milking." That made sense. "What happened to his interest?" "It went hard, like bone. It has a different taste when it is like bone. Like a metal spoon." "Oh well. My turn tomorrow." "It's easy. You'll be fine. That was helpful of O Mei to tell you." "Now we can be confident that White Ghost will not turn savage in the night." Shrr Li giggled, and we went to sleep.

Fragment 1. Posted 18/09/2014.

I woke up on a hillside. It was warm, which was a good thing, as I wasn't wearing anything. There was moss and grass on the slope. Here and there was a stone or an outcrop of rock. It looked like morning. The hill was deserted, but for me, though I could see buildings below in the distance. Patterns of fields and woods spread out below. There were other low hills, but none nearby. It is a delight to enjoy the view from a high place. There is so much more to see. The sky is more than half the world. Fresh air exhilarates as it fills the lungs. Humankind is small, and looks manageable. A flick of the finger could remove one of those tiny houses, as one removes an insect from ones skin. Familiar places look strange, seen from a strange vantage-point. All of this looked strange. The houses were on a pattern I did not know, built low and square around courtyards. The roads seemed oddly straight, and unfamiliar to one used to meandering drovers' paths. The fields were small, and the crops were unusual colours. I was not hungry, but realised I might soon be so. Gingerly I picked my way down the slope. The moss and grass was comfortable underfoot. The stones rounded and easy to avoid. Small blue and yellow flowers decorated the grassy expanse. These, too, were unfamiliar. They had no scent. The landscape passed in a series of tableaux, as I watched the ground to see where I set my feet, and looked up to see where I was. The sky grew smaller, and the buildings larger, and I found myself approaching a group of sheds. I had not yet seen any people. There were troughs and wooden bins and discarded broken implements. The grass had given way to dust, that rose in little clouds with every footstep. I stopped and considered. I was a stranger here. It was tempting to examine the bins, to open shed-doors. Difficult to find food any other way, but that would lay me open to the charge of thief, if anyone was to see me. Better perhaps to knock on doors and throw myself on the charity of the neighbourhood. As I was deciding the best direction to go, a shadow passed my eye, and I found myself grasped by the neck, and moved towards the nearest shed. The wall slammed against my face with a shock that knocked my breath away. Blinking, I turned, and found it was a wooden hook, like a shepherd's crook, that held me around the neck, and another stick was knocking my hands away from my sides. It was an old woman handling the crook, and twisting it expertly so that I could not escape. She wore a wide-brimmed, low-crowned straw hat, secured by a broad ribbon tied beneath her chin. A large grey cloth jacket, fastened with large wooden pegs, wrapped her upper body. Below she had wide brown skirts, or rather, culottes, and stiff leather boots. Her skin was wrinkled and weather-beaten. She spoke, in a language I did not understand. I listened carefully. At first she spoke to herself, commenting on her catch. Then she addressed some questions to me. I shook my head and shrugged, and mimed as best I could my failure to understand. She nodded slowly, and looked me over carefully. She held my eye for a moment, and with great significance, lowered the second stick. I stood still, wondering what was to come, but it seemed that this itself was the test. I was docile. This brought her out in a broad smile, and her eyes disappeared in a web of wrinkles. Again she spoke, and gestured at me. It seemed that she wanted me to turn around. I embraced the dry timber of the shed wall as if it was a long-lost friend. She rustled and fumbled behind me, and I found that the crook was removed from my neck, and replaced by a loop of stiff cord. Using the stick, she gently encouraged me to walk before her, and we proceeded around the huts to a porch and door. She fastened the cord to an upright of the porch, and ushered me to sit on an upturned barrel. Chuckling, she disappeared into the shed and returned with an earthenware beaker full of water. I accepted it and drank gratefully. She gazed at me for a while when she took back the beaker, and mimed eating and, it seemed, waiting. I nodded, and she withdrew into the hut. The hut was of plain timber, lapped against the weather, but unpainted, except for the porch. The porch and eaves were decorated in an intricate fashion, with carved patterns. The paint had been bright once, but now was peeling and flaking. Here and there I could see a patch of gold-leaf. There were no windows, but rather small openings with shutters, that led me to imagine that it was a barn or storage-shed, rather than a habitation. Or perhaps, if she were a shepherdess, that it was a habitation that was a base of operations, chiefly, and that most of her time was spent out of doors. The old woman brought out a wooden bowl with a meat broth, spiced in an unfamiliar way. The smell made me understand I was more hungry than I had realised. In her other hand she held a horn spoon, but seemed in some doubt of it being needed. I looked her in the eye and held out my hand. With some surprise, she dropped the spoon into my palm. I smiled at her, and set to break my fast. She sat down on the porch and watched as if seeing something unusual. A naked man with a halter around his neck was not the unusual thing. The same man using a spoon, apparently was. She fumbled at her jacket, and filled a wooden pipe with shredded mixture, lit it, and sat smoking as she looked. Her mixture was not tobacco, and it was not kif. The smoke did not disturb my meal as I was afraid it might. An odd light came into her eye as she waved the lighted taper to extinguish it. She looked at me closely again, her wrinkled brows knitted in thought. Perhaps she should have expected me to fear the flame, but had forgotten in the practice of her habit. Once the bowl was emptied, I handed it back to her with a bow of thanks. She was now concealing her surprise, or coming to expect the unusual. She nodded back and took it into the hut. She stood in the porch and finished her pipe. Sometimes she would glance at me, otherwise she stared into the distance. Finally she examined the pipe and tapped the dottle out on the ground, and trod it into the dust. The pipe was replaced in its pocket. She secured the door of the hut, looked at me and shrugged. Then she unfastened the cord from the porch, and grasped it firmly in her hand. Using her stick to nudge me on the calves of the legs, she directed me to walk before her, and we strode out towards the village. We had not gone far before she paused, rootled around in her pockets and came out with a large seed in her fingers. This she gave me to chew. It was a cardamom. It was not long before we met one of her acquaintances, who called to her from a veranda. The old woman called back and they laughed for a moment. Her friend had long black hair, and a white pinafore apron. She looked every bit as old as the other. The veranda was carved and painted. The houses here were sometimes wood and sometimes plaster, and here and there a wall of brick or stone. The old woman would use her stick to nudge my leg if I strayed from the path she followed. She would wave her stick when she wanted me to turn, and we wove between the houses without incident. On our journey we only saw two women and a little girl, who stood and stared with mouth open. The way between the houses narrowed, and opened out into a square with trees. There were seats and flower-beds, and a well. It looked a pleasant place to linger, but the old woman made her way across the square and knocked at the door of one of the larger houses. After a few moments the door was opened by a maid. When she saw us she recoiled, as if startled, and moved away from me. She too had long black hair, and her features were asian. The old woman had the same cast of features, but age had blurred the characteristics. The maid was dressed very smartly in a black uniform dress with wide skirts, and a starched white pinafore apron. She had a dainty little white cap which was set on the top of her head. She asked the old woman her business, as I guessed, and the old woman asked to speak to the person in charge. The language was no clearer to me, but the scene was plain enough. The door was closed to, and we waited until a senior maid or housekeeper appeared, with more direct questions. These were answered calmly enough, and the housekeeper looked me up and down suspiciously. I stood calmly under her examination, and did my best to conceal my embarrassment, while trying to suggest that I was hiding nothing. Under the circumstances, this was my only possible course of action. More words were exchanged, and the housekeeper left. It is the business of a housekeeper to disapprove, and the housekeeper disapproved with a brow of thunder as she ushered us into the house with chill politeness. The young maid watched and followed in a mixture of fear and wonder. The house was a rich one. Here were tapestries on the walls, and clean tiled floors, and large ceramic vases. An elaborate wooden staircase led upstairs. We followed the housekeeper, and the maid brought up the rear. The housekeeper knocked at a door, and was bidden to enter. We stood carefully in a line and I studied the room. It was light and airy, with large latticed openings in one wall. There were finches in a cage by the lattice. A stack of shelves held what were clearly books, in an alphabet I did not recognise. The floor was mostly bare wood, but a rich patterned rug occupied the centre. The mistress of the house was seated at a desk, with a stylus or brush in her hand. This she set down, and rose to greet us. She was a tall lady, not old, and her long black hair was styled more elaborately than that of the maid and the housekeeper. She wore what seemed to be a dark corset over a gown of delicate red and yellow brocade, with skirts that swept and swirled about her. She held a pair spectacles on a short handle, and peered at me through them. The old woman tapped me with her stick to make me step forward, and had me turn around slowly at her bidding. She opened her mouth wide, and I realised I was to do the same. The mistress of the house delicately inspected my teeth. Nervously, the old woman used her culottes to brush some dust from my leg, and winced as the dust fell on the wooden floor. Then the haggling began. It frightened me. It was like a vicious argument with both parties slipping from hysterics to fury and back again. The maid and the housekeeper looked on imperturbably, and I understood that this was how business was conducted here. My neck was yanked half-a-dozen times by the cord as we pretended to leave, but finally an agreement was reached. A great show of reluctance was made by both parties. The mistress of the house signed some document, or perhaps it was a money order, and the old woman accepted it with clear disappointment. Some strings of copper cash were also passed over. The old woman ceremoniously offered the end of the cord to the mistress of the house, who touched it for form's sake, and indicated that it should be passed to the maid. The maid accepted it with alarm. The old woman turned to leave, and gave me a broad toothless smile. She patted me on the shoulder, and I think she winked. The housekeeper showed her out. The mistress of the house resumed her seat at the desk, and issued a series of orders at the maid, who seemed to be on the brink of panic. She uttered a dismissal, and the terrified girl fled, with me in tow. We passed down the stairs and through room after room, and collected another housemaid at the kitchens. This one looked more confident, and she followed me as the first maid led the way. A large arch led us out into the courtyard, which contained a garden. A loud hiss made us turn towards an arch opening to the outside of the house. The old woman stood there, at a metal grill which blocked the way, anxious to speak to the maids. She soothed the worried girl, and spoke at length to the other, who appeared to be memorising what she said. Then with nervous smiles from the girls and a reassuring one from the old woman, she waved and departed. We walked around the garden. It was not a big garden, and after we had circled it slowly three times, I realised something was expected of me, and I could not imagine what it was. The worried girl was looking more and more despondent. The other heaved a sigh, touched me on the chest and looked me in the eye. The she hitched up her skirts, squatted, and pissed on the flowerbed. When she finished she shook down her skirts and looked me in the eye once more, with mute appeal. I was to do the same. I had no need to squat, and after a moment was able to do as requested. The girls looked on with wide eyes. This was something they had not seen before. They exchanged looks and smiles, and the nervousness eased away. They were relieved and thoughtful as they led me to a tiled room with a grilled drain on the floor. A stone table carried bowls and ewers of hot water. There was scented soap, and rich coloured towels. They were to wash me. With some difficulty the knot was undone, and the cord removed from my neck. They sat me over the drain and poured hot water on my shoulders and on my head. They cleaned my hair with soft soap, and scented liquid, and rinsed it out. The girls poured water on my body, and carefully soaped me all over. Then they poured water to wash away the soap, and dried me with the towels. They smiled with satisfaction at a job well done. Tilting their chins, they indicated that I was to do the same. When I did so , they fastened a red leather collar around my neck. I did not see it then – there was no mirror in the room – but it was an elaborate collar with jewels that sparkled, and an inscription on a silver lozenge. The inscription said something like "property of the house of Meng Chu, in the village of Hwa Wen". Fastened to the collar was a long red leather strap with a loop. This replaced the cord, which was far too rustic and gave quite the wrong impression. A gong sounded, and the girls sighed with relief. They led me to an ante-room of the kitchen, where folding pallet-beds had been set out. The cook and another maid were already lying down. The girls took a slice of fruit each from a tray, and passed one to me. They indicated a folded rug in the corner, on which I was expected to lie down. The strap was fastened to a hook on the wall. I hesitated, as the rug was none too clean, and I felt it was a shame to undo my recent ablutions. The girls saw my hesitation, and finally, after some searching, produced another pallet bed. We composed ourselves to endure the heat of the day. The cook was soon snoring loudly, and the girls whispering fitfully to each other. I was asleep in moments. I heard the gong sound, and someone was shaking me awake. I roused myself from the pallet, but not quickly enough, and there was a cry of rage from the housekeeper. The pallet-beds were flung aside, and I was dragged into the courtyard and my wrists bound and fastened to a metal loop in the wall. One by one the girls were dragged out and fastened in the same way. The housekeeper produced a long thin stick, and harangued us with disgust. I had defiled the pallet-bed, by lying on it, and the girls were responsible for this disgrace. The housekeeper threw back her shoulders and lashed me with the stick. It stung. I yelled. She lashed again and I clenched my teeth. Then there was a voice from above. A figure stood on the first-floor balcony. The mistress had been disturbed by the noise and was asking the reason for it. This was explained, but the mistress did not like her new acquisition to be punished for such a trivial matter. She descended and examined the pallets. She spoke to the housekeeper with eyebrows raised. The pallets showed no evidence of their defilement. She inspected the pile of rugs and the corners of her mouth turned down. The mistress examined me, and seemed pleased at the improvement due to the wash. She issued an order. Our use of the pallet was sanctioned, and there was no offence to answer. The girls were released, tearful and trembling. The housekeeper knelt in apology, and the mistress gracefully contrived to excuse her diligence. Honour was satisfied and face was saved. A servant was despatched to remove and beat the rug. The housekeeper jerked her head towards the kitchens, and the girls fled there, taking me in tow. The cook was glad to see them, and immediately set them to work preparing vegetables. I began to understand that every room in the building had a convenient hook to which a leash could be fastened. I made myself as comfortable as I could on the tiled floor, and watched the activity. Some of the vegetables I recognised, others were new to me. The cook reserved the preparation of the meat to herself. The younger maid – as I thought of her – had been chopping pak choy, and was now set to chopping onions. The poor girl had no more sense than to rub her eyes, and soon was streaming in tears. I stood, and nudged her aside from the chopping board. Her eyes were streaming so badly, she must have thought I was one of the other maids, and stepped aside, handing me the knife. There was a quick intake of breath from the cook. I ignored it and chopped onions, leaning my head back, and keeping my hands away from my eyes. When all the onions were finely diced, I handed the knife back to the girl, handle first. Her eyes were wide with astonishment. Every figure in the kitchen had stopped to stare. I smiled and bowed, and stepped back. The cook waved for the onions to be passed to her. Everyone hesitated. The cook made an impatient gesture. The onions were handed over, and tipped into the big pot. Another wave of the hand indicated that the girls were dismissed. They were not entirely dismissed, as I was still in their charge. They brought me to a door which led into a narrow back street, away from the square. The street was cobbled with a channel in the centre for rainwater, and a drain at intervals. There were walls on either side, but no windows, and only now and then a door. I guessed that the houses here were built around central courtyards. After a few minutes' walk we found ourselves in a broad meadow at the edge of the village. There we walked and the girls worried an argument between them. They reached a conclusion, and stopped dead. One looked distressed, the other resigned. The younger one, with misgivings, reached up to my collar and unclipped the leash. I stood, uncertainly. The girl moved her hand back and forth, in a gesture meaning motion. For a moment I thought they were setting me free. Then I remembered I still wore the collar. I was being let off the leash for a run in the meadow. I dipped my head, turned and sprinted. The girls gasped behind me, and I turned my head to see them press their hands to their faces. I waved, and slowed to a more measured pace. I ran around the edge of the meadow, which was large enough, and was breathless and panting when I reached them again. I dropped to lie on my back. The girls patted and petted me in relief. A my breath returned, I saw that the sun had dropped lower in the sky. They followed my gaze, and jumped up. My leash was clipped on again, and we set off back through the narrow lanes to the house. The house was bustling as we returned. The girls were called to account, and I was released, off the leash, into the courtyard. The courtyard garden was a pleasant place to be, as the sun set. The scent of the flowers was strong in the heat, and made my head swim. I think I dozed with my eyes open. The light declined quickly, and houselights were lit: oil lamps, for the most part, but hung in large paper shades. It was pretty to see the brightness inside, and figures moving busily, while outside the stars were beginning to show. Movement in the kitchen and nearby was brisk. Towards the top of the house, the figures moved more slowly. The mistress was being served her evening meal. She was lingering over sweetmeats, and I could see the housekeeper proffer a water-pipe. The mistress waved her away, and turned her head, which was the signal for the dishes to be cleared. Her head turned towards the lattice and the courtyard, and her eyes met mine as I looked up and she looked down. It was too far away, and too dark, for me to read her expression. The kitchen was still busy. My attention had drifted to the stars overhead when a gong sounded. I wondered if this had anything to do with me. I did not have to wonder for long. The servants had all gathered in the kitchen, and the young maid stood at the door and whistled for me. I smiled to think of being called with a whistle, and then she called "Gwai-lo!". I stood, she saw me and beckoned me into the kitchen. The staff were seated around a refectory table. I was shown to a small stool and a low table by myself. The cook served ceramic bowls of food, and brought a full wooden bowl to my little table. As if by accident she dropped a pair of chopsticks on the table, and looked the other way. There was no conversation during the meal. Everyone tucked in and stuffed themselves as quickly as they could, and the only sound were slurping of noodles and clicking of chopsticks. I had not used chopsticks, but looked closely at how they were used, and imitated it. It was easier than I thought. Hunger makes a good teacher. Soon I was shovelling noodles into my mouth as if I had been practicing all my life. I looked up towards the table and saw that heads were turning my way. In the eyes of the cook I thought I read an expression of thoughtful satisfaction. When the bowls were emptied, teacups were passed out, and a plate of fruit and sweetmeats served with tea. My bowl was removed and returned filled with cold water, but again the cook contrived to leave a cup of tea and a small cube of pink confection on my table. The tea was green, and very pleasant after the meal. The confection was a kind of fudge that reminded me of barfi. The teacups were cleared away, and the washing up was done, and pipes were distributed. Each woman took one, even the younger, and lit it. The group then drifted out a different door into a separate courtyard. No-one paid me any attention, so I slowly followed. This was a servants' courtyard, and it stank. Around the wall was firewood, cut fine and neatly stacked. It seemed that their firewood was delivered ready-chopped. In the middle of the courtyard were two benches set above long metal troughs. Each bench had holes set through. It was the servants' latrine. The women smoked their pipes and chatted as they emptied their bowels. There was room for five sitters on each bench. When a person had finished, they used a scoop of clean earth to cover their leavings, and this helped reduce the stink. I could understand why everyone had lit pipes. The others stood and waited their turn, or stood to continue their conversation with those seated. Plucking up my courage, I took my place next to the cook. She turned from her chat to smile at me, and patted me on the leg in a friendly fashion. Afterwards I rinsed my hands in the stone bowl, and waited to see what would happen. The benches were moved aside, and an external door opened. One woman took an end of one of the troughs, and one took the other, and they lifted it through the doorway and set it in the lane outside. I guessed that some agency would collect or empty these during the night. Hoping to show willing, I took an end of the other trough. One of the maids took the other end and we set it to be collected. The street was in darkness. None of us wanted to linger. The air of the servant's courtyard was fresher now, and work had finished for the day. Belts were loosened, collars unfastened, and caps removed. The servants now drifted through the kitchen and beyond, to a tiled room similar to the one in which I had been washed. The pipes had disappeared, and everyone was now chewing on little wooden sticks. There was a pot of these sticks on the table. I took one, chewed it, and found it tasted of liquorice. There was a technique to chewing the stick. First the end was chewed, to separate the fibres. Then the fibres were ripped and nipped to make a ragged sort of brush. This brush was used to clean the teeth. No-one spat – there was no toothpaste. Each woman pocketed her stick, as this was to last her some days. As I had no pockets nor sleeves, I tucked it behind my ear. I felt a hand on my shoulder. The cook gently withdrew the stick, and steering me through to the kitchen, set it significantly on the ledge of the lattice next to the low table reserved for me. She looked at me to make sure I understood, and I nodded. Back in the washroom, the women had stripped to the waist to wash. It startled me, although I should have expected it. It was a distraction to me, and I flushed, though the women had no thought of embarrassment. The cook herself had peeled off her clothes and was soaping herself, and called to the others to see my rising colour. There was laughter, and some of the women twisted their bodies to let me see the best of them. They smiled and chatted as they washed, and I gazed my fill, until the maid delegated to attend to me pulled me over to a vacant basin and soaped my face. When I had rinsed and dried myself, we were alone. She emptied the basin, blew out the lamp, and led me past the kitchen to a narrow stairway. We followed the stairway to the roof, where we threaded our way through cloth partitions to a quarter with two pallet beds, one wide, one narrow. A sort of pergola had been set up, and this was used to hang the awnings that gave a measure of privacy. It was also used to hang a fine mesh over the beds. There was no mesh over the narrow one, which I realised was mine. The other maid was already sitting on the larger pallet, which they shared. I lay and watched the stars and listened to the girls' murmuring chat. The younger one was called Shrr Li, and the older Xu Xan. I caught some other names or titles, although it was only later that I learned that the cook was known as Ma Chao, and the housekeeper as Ma Peng. The mistress, it seemed, was Meng Chu. With dismay, I heard the whine of a mosquito. I poised myself, alert, and waited until I felt it puncture my skin. I slapped. It sounded like a shotgun. The conversation ceased abruptly. The girls exchanged a few words, and were silent until I heard another whine, and felt the bite. I slapped, and the noise resounded. From the larger pallet came a whisper, "Gwai-lo!" and a beckoning arm. Gratefully I crept inside the netting. There was not much room, but we managed. Under the starlight, and safe from biting insects, I fell asleep.