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Seven Maids of Far Cathay
B >> Bing Ding, Ed. >> Seven Maids of Far Cathay This eBook was produced by David Schwan .
Seven Maids of Far Cathay
Being English Notes From A Chinese Class Book
Compiled By
Bing Ding
Illustrated By
Ai Lang
The custom of Americanism having been related unto me - "That one book
shall take unto self one dedication" - I have honor to make speeches of
presentation unto N-B-E, a Grandmother Genius of Geniuses.
Foreword
The English Notes which go to make up this Chinese Class book are the
result of a game which the President of the Woman's Anglo-Chinese
College of Neuchang, China, induced the seven Chinese girls of the
graduating class to play during the last six months of their College
course. The Notes were read aloud in class, taken down by a
stenographer, and afterwards arranged alphabetically by the Biographer
assisted by the President of the College. At the request of interested
friends the President has now permitted the publication of these Notes
exactly as they were originally produced, without revision, that the
unique atmosphere pervading them might not be lost.
Contents
Foreword
Biographer
Correspondent
Diarist
Essayist
Folklorist
Genius
Illustrations
"I Will Therefore Now Make Picture or Our Adorable College"
(Frontispiece)
"It Was He of the Bridge of the Ten Thousand Ages"
"All Day Long Very Good Water, Very Much Pleasure"
"I Find Many Idols of Uselessness"
"Gui (Devil) Always Travel in Straight Line, Road Wind Around so Gui No
Can Catch Traveler"
Cliff Near the Monkey Mother's Home
"All is of Great Stillness and Peace"
Biographer
Because I drew the B - I have honor to commence this Class book. For once
English A comes not at the head, for our Artist, (whoever is she?) can
at the first do nothing.
It all began thus: The first of last semester in the English class Each,
most horribly read. Miss Sterling, (our Adored Teacher), play with rings
and shake head and say, "Girls, why do you all mispronounce that word,
B-O-U-G-H-? It is pronounced - Bow - like this." She arise and make
grand Kow-Tow, "Or like this," she shake head until little yellow curls
all up and down dance and say, "Bow-wow! Bow-wow! Bow-wow!" The door
open and Miss Powers, (our Honored President), come in. She say nothing,
but Look! Ging Muoi giggle. Miss Sterling grow all white and pink like
Chinese lady. Then Miss Powers speak much dignified:
"We are here to teach these young ladies the art of deportment; can it
be that you were demonstrating a lesson on manners, Miss Sterling?"
Miss Sterling opens lips; no sound come out and her blue eyes with tears
fill up. Most times so timid I cannot tell or act out what I most long
to do, but I love Miss' Sterling.
"Miss Powers," I say, afraid forgetting, "May I have speech?"
Miss Powers smile with corners of mouth only and say, "Yes, Bing Ding,
proceed."
"You know what kind girls we are, Miss Powers, of such a stupidness that
we cannot of the English to learn. We only are to blame, not Miss
Sterling," I say, then afraid remember and sit down.
"It is true that our language is very difficult for you," say Miss
Powers most graciously. "And in order that you may learn to construct
and pronounce it correctly, I propose that this last semester of your
College course, you play a game that we may call 'English Notes.' Have
any of you ever heard of it?" When we told her we had not so heard, she
smile with chin also, and hold to view small package all of a whiteness.
"These are sealed envelopes," she say. "Each one contains one of the
first seven letters of the English Alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, a
letter for each girl. Miss Sterling, will you be kind enough to give
them to the young ladies?"
It seemed of a purpose that to me came Miss Sterling last. Afterward,
when I so state privately to her, she smile all about and say, "It is
most fortunate that your envelope contains the B, Bing Ding, for being a
Eurasion, you can write the English more fluently than the others." But
that is of Biography unimportant, so I return to where I stop.
Fuku start to open envelope, Miss Powers hold out hand and say, "Wait,
Fuku, and I will tell you about the game. It is played thus:"
"For the next five months, every Saturday each girl must deposit in my
office letter-box an unsigned, written paper of not less than two
hundred English words, on a topic corresponding to the word represented
by the letter found in her envelope. For example: A stands for the
Artist of the class. B - for the Biographer. C - Correspondent. D -
Diarist. E - Essayist. F - Folklorist. G - Genius, to her goes my
heartfelt sympathy." Miss Powers look at Miss Sterling and draw down
corners of mouth and take on sadness. All Chinese girls grow solemnity,
but Miss Sterling laugh, and we know it is of American funniness, and
are much relieved.
"Bing Ding will distribute this writing paper which I wish you to use in
preparing your articles," say Miss Powers, and again hold to view a
package, this time of much largeness and most blue. "Six of you will
begin playing the game this week. A, cannot play until next week; her
name, alone, I must know that I may send her the papers to illustrate
after they are typed."
"On next Monday afternoon and on all the following Mondays, I shall
expect you to come to my study at Two of the clock, to drink tea and
play your game. That is all now, Young Ladies, except that each girl
must keep the secret of her letter; that is for her alone. Good after
noon," and Miss Powers disappear with much graceful carriage, of which
all Chinese girls admire but cannot to imitate.
Miss Powers great lady; of a tallness and much commanding, with snow
hair and bright eyes - at times of a hardness like steel - of them we
have much fear. For Miss Powers we have admiration greatly but our love
we cannot show out to her; only can we show that to Miss Sterling who is
of great dearness, with heart of so great bigness that for her we take
the name of "Mother Heart." Each, to her gather and wish of her that she
may play the new foreign game with us, but she make explanation that of
the letters there are but seven, and soon all Chinese girl go to herself
alone and open her envelope. As I have before spoken, B, was in mine. A
Biographer I have now become. I shall at once at the Dictionary of the
Centuries arrive and study to show forth the meaning of my word.
When we went forth on the first Monday afternoon to play our game and
drink the tea of our Honored President, the Chrysanthemums were of great
beauty. For many days the gardener had present pots of Chrysanthemums of
great choiceness, so that the walks of the Compound and the steps
leading to Miss Powers' study were of a two times border; inside part
show tiny yellow and white hemispheres, outside part show much large
yellow globes. When I behold Chrysanthemums to me alone I say, "Can it
be English flower-book is of a rightness? 'That a heart to desolation is
now left?' Perhaps the foreign game we cannot play." and I enter much
afraid.
Miss Powers meet us on balcony and invite us in and to take seat; we
have hesitation for Chinese must not at once sit down, but Miss Powers
command, "Be seated, it is the American way." Then she wave hand to tray
on table and say, "Young Ladies, here are your notes; I have had them
put into type that you may not know whose notes you are reading. Go
forward, Cui Ai, and select one to read aloud."
We watch with carefulness Cui Ai open paper and read of Folk-lore. I
look about, but girls' faces all most composed and to me I think, "That
paper is of Cui Ai's own make," when I see Fuku all of a shakiness and
am full of doubt.
Miss Powers ask of each girl to read in turn until there is but one
remainder, Fuku, who seems much offended that she comes at the last. She
take paper, open, throw on floor with great noise. First time like
little squeak of mouse, second time like Chinese Tom-Tom, and all time
kick at paper on floor with much strength of purpose. We at once arise
and when the foot of Fuku is high in air Da Hua make rescue of paper.
Miss Powers say, "Be seated, Young Ladies," and we sit down with
stillness; but Fuku keep most noisy. Miss Powers sit at telephone and by
and by Dr. Ewing come and try to introduce Fuku into next-door room but
she cry, "No, No, it is not my will to go! I shall of the paper now
read." Then she again squeak and Tom-Tom, and Dr. Ewing draw up arm and
put big slap in Fuku's nose centre. Fuku at once come to self and say,
"Where am I?" When she look see us - six Chinese girls in a row sitting
- she put up thumbs to cover face and it seem as if she would cry to
death, and all time she whisper, "Take me away! Take me away! I belong
not to the land! I am of the boat people!"
We look at Each, full of dumbness. A boat child! Born of a people
without a foundation, whom the Gods had command to live all the many
moons to come on the water and never again upon the land! Impossible!
But Miss Powers put finger to lips and nod head, and we know that it is
of a truth that Fuku has spoken.
By and by Fuku go with Dr. Ewing and Miss Powers say one half to
ownself, one half to ourself, "Poor little girl," and look about at
Each, most earnestly.
"Young Ladies, you have much to give thankfulness for," she say. "It is
good to be well born. I shall tell you of Fuku that you may help her to
overcome these unfortunate attacks. It is as she said, she is of the
boats. When a little child playing on the deck of her boat-home, the
rope fastened about her waist, parted, and she fell into the water. She
struck her head as she went down, which I think partly accounts for
these attacks; when she came up, an American who happened to be passing
that point in a sampan, caught her by her long hair and tried to give
her back to her parents, but they said, 'Return her to the water. The
Water Gods have claimed her; she is theirs, not ours. We will not take
her back.' So he brought her to me. Here she has grown up and from here,
God willing, she will go forth into the world a noble woman!"
Then Miss Powers make a little prayer of Fuku and we drink of the tea
and eat of the cakes of much sweetness. The clock strike five times
before we leave the home of our Honored President.
When we arrive at her balcony a strange happening come to view. The
Chrysanthemum pots were all departed. In their place were our lilies of
China, nodding tiny heads in greeting as we pass over the walks to our
dormitory. I go most quickly that I may arrive at the English
Flower-book, for I know not the meaning of our lilies.
For five moons we play at game with greatest pleasure and much gaining
of English. All read aloud with more understanding and our Honored
President say we also write better. No Chinese girl know what other
Chinese girl have written, so we talk of papers most freely and with
great funniness.
One afternoon when we had complete our Readings and were drinking the
tea of our Honored President, she say, "Do you realize, Young Ladies,
that we shall meet together but once more, then our game is finished?"
When we told her that we had not so realized and were full of sorrow,
she say, "I, too, am sorry for I have enjoyed the play." Then she look
all about and of a suddenness request - "How many girls wish to
commemorate our game?" We look at Each. Commemorate is an Americanism
uncommon; we not the meaning know, but Miss Powers' bright eyes most
kind and at once we hold up hands. She nod head and say, "I thought so!
All of you! Each week I have marked the papers which you voted 'best.'
If your Biographer will select and arrange them I will have them printed
in book form that each girl may possess a Class book." We have haste to
assure her that such a possession will be most pleasurable, and Eng Muoi
jump on feet and say out loudly, "Our Honored President must also
possess Class book." Fear comes at sound of voice and at once she sit
down. Miss Powers smile most graciously and say, "Thank you, Eng Muoi, I
would like one, but there is one condition, it is necessary that I shall
know which girl has the B - not in her bonnet," she laugh, and we join
with laughter, for we also have knowledge of the bonnet - B.
Next morning I have honor to walk from Chapel with Miss Powers (our
Honored President) and tell to her of my troubles. By the Dictionary of
the Centuries, a Biographer speaks of one human in one book. How then
can I be a Biographer of correctness?
"But a Class book is different," Miss Powers say most polite. "It is a
chronicle of College life, Bing Ding." I am much puzzled. On steamer
days Cui Ai present Miss Sterling with American newspaper and say, "Here
is Chronicle!" Is newspaper in America all the same as book? Miss Powers
tell, in Class book must be something written by, and about Each; also
something about Residence and Doings. I will therefore now make picture
of our Adorable College. It is situate on hills of Island grown from the
shining bosom of river Ping. At left hand the Monastery of Dreams stands
of a whiteness of snow, from the tall mountain - Kushan. At right hand,
if eyes follow glistening trail many Li (miles) by and by see blue of
ocean of an unexplainable vastness. And all time - of gold with shining
of Sun - of silver with Moonbeams play, sleeps the great, beautiful
river Ping.
The seven buildings of our adorable College are of a brick and stand
quite at the top of hill. From their feet green lawns run away down to
hide their greennesses in shadow of wall which about the Compound
encircles. This wall, of a ten-foot height, from grey stone is made. At
top of stones, not too often, posts stand of a color like lawn, and upon
posts looking at sky, sits the balustrade made of stone of a redness to
be seen afar. When the wistaria is full of bloom many times have I wish
to sit upon balustrade that I might make rain of wistaria blossoms upon
Honorable Strangers making entrance through door in wall, but Sedia (the
keeper of the gate) is of much strength and bigness and I do not dare.
Today when from Chapel we arrive, on breeze of morning come sound of
Tom-Tom from without the Compound wall. All Chinese girl run down to
gate. Miss Sterling enter in and Sedia at once close gate but not too
quickly. In opening I view Chinese all about box in street-centre
standing. On box, man; he make movement to turn face, and to me alone I
cry, "It is He of the Bridge of the Ten Thousand Ages!" My soul is in
darkness and my feet have wings. I fly far away. When I wish no more to
fly I cannot cease, but go onward. At last I fall to earth and know no
more.
When I awake it is in a place of strangeness - a room full of sunshine,
making entrance through windows of much number. The walls and carpets
are of the blue of the sky; the chairs, dressing-table and couch upon
which I lie are all of a whiteness; the Mieng about me is again blue. I
shut my eyes in wonderment; all is of beauty extraordinary! A hand comes
to my miserable forehead and Mother Heart (Miss Sterling) give of
sympathy to her unhappy child.
The memory of being like Fuku - not well born - smites my heart and bids
my tongue be still. I speak not. By and by Miss Sterling whisper, "Why
did you run away from the gate, Bing Ding?" I whisper return: "It was He
of the Bridge of the Ten Thousand Ages. Of his power I have greatest
fear. If He find, He will sell me to be a slave, for to him do I owe my
most miserable existence." Miss Sterling's eyes flash of fire and she
say, "No! No! I will have care."
Comfort to my heart creeps in, and I have speech with her of the Story
Teller of the Streets. How, seventeen years past by, He was telling
tales from box as now happen, and to Chinese all about standing, He say,
"Do good deeds! Be of unselfishness! Have of others care!" One Chinese
laugh and make large fun of Story Teller and say, "Why, O Wise Man, dost
thou not perform goodnesses, thyself? Just now I pass over the Bridge of
the Ten Thousand Ages and beside the stones of bridge I view babe of new
birth. Go, thou, and take of it all care." To save his face the Story
Teller went upon the bridge and took the babe unto his arms and house;
but having children of much number, that night when all was dark that
none could see, he went again upon his way and with him went the babe. I
could no more speak.
Miss Sterling press my unworthy hand and say, "I know the rest, Bing
Ding. He took you to an orphanage where we found you and brought you
here that you might be educated. Have no fear; I will take care of you."
I cry out of joy now, so happy to be of safety in Miss Sterling's heart.
Our I last game is played. Next week we graduate. The separation as of
one family is upon us. We have been most happy in our Adorable College
and are full of sadness that Each, alone her way must go. Some Chinese
girls to be married, other Chinese girls, teachers to become. I, with
Mother Heart to America, am going.
Times of much number have I been to the study of our Honored President
to make arrangements of our Class book. With Miss Powers' assistance I
have honor to select of the papers those that of our Adorable College
make pictures of clearness. That when Each, goes by self, one reading in
Class book will bring forth memories and together we will all be
sitting, playing our game and drinking the tea of our Honored President.
When so sitting, will please Each, give thought of kindliness to most
humble Biographer, is the wish of your most unworthy.
Bing Ding.
Woman's Anglo-Chinese College,
Neuchang, China, June 15th.
Correspondent
Cherished and Honorable Mother, Moy Sen. Most respectful salutations.
Bing Ang. Bing Ang.
Your lazy and careless child has much that she wishes to say to you,
while her heart bleeds because she is separate by so many miles from the
most to be revered Mother.
Though so great distance divide us, yet my heart is as near to you as
ever; rivers and mountains will hinder us from seeing one another, but
they can never give obstruction to our mutual love and help.
By day and by night I pray for your safety and I offer to heaven much
incense, and also foods, and my hope is that no harm may come near to
your house.
Before the rise of the sun each day I make my worship as you have taught
me, though many of the girls in this College do not so, and sometimes I
have very great fear that the Guis (devils) will all swallow up on this
account.
One day Miss Sterling come into my room and say, "It offends me much to
see so many tablets and images here; will you not place them away from
sight at least?" This I do at once having greatest fear to offend and
bring upon us all great troubles though not yet come.
Miss Sterling, so beautiful, so good, so full kind thoughts for every
one, all girls in this College say, "She too kind, too good." Already I
love Miss Sterling so much my heart ache to do some good thing for her.
Last night all girls in this College go take walk on far hills to see
set of sun in Ocean; Miss Sterling walk by me and say, "Please try a
little to speak out your thought when possible for how then can we help
you to better ones?" I promise to try but I always so afraid, O I know I
not worthy to speak out my mean thoughts to great people, who all so
wise so clever.
For a long time Miss Sterling talk to me of her home in America across
the great water, and she tell me many stories of how she live there, how
all people live, what kind, beautiful country is America; sometimes I
think I see bright tears in her eyes when she so talk, and then I feel
sharp pain go into heart, for I well know that this time Miss Sterling
think she like much to go to American home.
When Miss Sterling go to American home I surely cry to death; many other
girls in the College say same thing.
Each girl in College have one duty for every day, mine very nice kind,
must to look all about mails, what time come, what time go, when
Steamers close, carry mail to rooms, keep care stamps and all writing
materials.
All this make for me very great interest, when big mail come in, every
body so much excitement, every body snatch letters then run away and
read - read like hungry dog bite bone. Miss Sterling all time get very
big letter, very large character on cover, color blue; when big blue
letter not come, O then Miss Sterling too sad. One day I very bold and
say: "Miss Sterling you very much love big blue letter?" she all smiling
say, "Yes truly I do love big blue letter the very best of all."
This time we have very hard work, for spring time near, and much of work
is to be done before we to our homes may go.
One day Miss Powers say, "Perhaps we are giving too much hard work just
now, perhaps more better we go on river have play for one week." O then
all College have greatest joy and excitement; girls all time talk, what
can do, how can do. Some times girls talk too late at night, Matron have
much hard work. When Matron say, "No more of talk tonight," then all
very still for little while, then when Matron go far away, talk begin
again, and go on and on. Matron have another bad trouble with girls,
every Chinese girl think she die if air from night get into her lungs,
so she go to bed and pull Mieng all over head and ears so no air can
touch her. Today too sad thing happen, "Miss I Sterling fall ill, cannot
to class room come, Dr. Ewing say cannot do work for many days, and ask
Matron to send some good girl to help Nurse. Matron appoint me to go, I
most happy to have honor, and because of this I can no more write at
this time.
To My Honorable Family, Bing Ang. Bing Ang.
Your Most Miserable and Contemptible Child.
Neuchang, China.
January 25th.
To My Honorable and Wise Mother, Moy Sen, Greetings. Bing Ang. Bing Ang.
Two Moons ago I have sorrow to tell you Miss Sterling very ill. This
time I have great gladness to tell you she all well again and we all
happiness once more.
Great joy and pain have gone over our heads like flocks of birds since
last time I have Honor to write to you.
Both day and night I watch over Miss Sterling though Matron say many
times I must to go into air or be ill. Nothing can my heart comfort but
to every moment look to see if some little thing I may not do to relieve
Miss Sterling from so great pain. Every day the burnings of the fever
make fire in brain of our Adorable Miss Sterling until she know nothing
of what say or of what do, this all too terrible, and make my heart to
bleed most so of all when she cry out one name over and over again, this
name sound like Dick, Dick, sometimes Dear Dick, then most times she try
to rise up, but is too weak and so she sink back on pillows and lie so
still, so still, I freeze with fear she be dead, O then I creep out and
cry to death, and pray pray to heaven, and burn much incense, and then
creep back and bend close over Miss Sterling to bear if any little
wavering breath come from lips or not, for it seem to me she is surely
to die.
One day very strange thing happen. Nurse go out and say I am to watch
all what Miss Sterling do? if she call out or move to rise I must give
to her of large bottle one portion. A very long time I watch every
breath, then all suddenly Miss Sterling try to sit up, and cry out:
"Where am I, What has happened? O yes I remember I am in China" - and
she sink back on pillows, like one little baby she fall asleep, all so
full of peace and so quiet and still. When Nurse come back and I tell
her of all this, she say - "O yes the climax, now Miss Sterling will
surely live I think." That moment such a joy, too great to bear, come
into my heart, I could to shout for gladness, and all the other girls
too glad also.
Now every day Miss Sterling one little bit stronger grow, so that Miss
Powers promise us she soon will be able to go on beautiful river fete,
for that day all wait with heart of gladness.
Bing Ang. Bing Ang.
From Your Detestable and Foolish Child.
Neuchang, China.
March 20th.
Most Honorable and Wise Mother, Moy Sen, Greetings. Bing Ang. Bing Ang.
So wonderful thing happen since last time I write, my poor language can
nothing show out of what my heart now hold.
Have patience with my dull and stupid writing while to you I give one
complete history.
On the fifth day of this Moon Miss Powers say - "Tomorrow morning all
girls in this College have clothing and beds ready packed, for river
fete. Ten boats wait at Short Bridge landing. Ten of the clock strike
all must be there. Each girl take one carrying basket, no more."
Next day two hours before rise of sun all girls run up and down make
large noise and excitement.
Matron and Cook make much shoutings, Coolies work very hard to pack 30
food baskets, 20 bags rice, 20 live chickens, 60 carrying baskets, 3 cot
beds for teachers, just outside gate 60 man and women Coolies wait to
carry all safely to Boat.
This time every body talk at same time, most time shout, every body say
Hurry! Hurry! Cook, because head man, talk most loudly, part time jump
on table, wave long bamboo stick and command all to work rightly. After
two hours time, yet no make start. What reason? Miss Powers come out and
say very sternly, "Cook, why do you not send baskets to Boats? it is
long past time." Cook say "All ready" and open gates, let outside
Coolies come in, then sixty more Coolies shout and begin to fight,
because every body will to carry the light loads, and no body will to
carry the heavy ones! Again Cook climb on table and compel every one to
do his work rightly.
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