We might imagine that your family had changed its intention...."
"At least, can I see the invalid?"
"He has just taken a drug and is asleep. Besides, I have told you that
he has caught cold. Are you trying to insult me by expressing a wish
to prove my words?"
"If the matter stands thus," the nurse politely made haste to answer,
"it only remains for me to withdraw."
"You cannot go in this way. You have not even taken a cup of tea.
If you please, let us go into the new room, for my house is all in
disorder."
On entering, the nurse observed the excellent arrangement of the young
couple's apartment.
"Everything is ready, as you see," said the wife of Liu. "And if my
son is not quite recovered after the ceremony, I shall take care
of him in my pavilion, until he is able to embark upon his conjugal
life."
Having taken tea, the nurse at last arose and went away. On her return
she recounted to her master and mistress what had taken place, and Sun
and his wife found themselves in a difficult dilemma. They could not
think of allowing their daughter to ruin her life by entering of her
betrothed, if he were going to die, and, if the young man were not
seriously ill, they stood the risk of losing all their preparation,
and of giving occasion for slander. Suddenly their son Yu-lang, who
was present, said:
"If they have not allowed him to be seen, it means that he is
seriously ill.
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