At length the maiden, taking the flowers out
of her hair, got upon the bed and knelt down to undress herself. He
asked her:
"On which pillow would you like to sleep? The lower one?"
"As my sister-in-law wishes."
"Then, if you please, let us sleep on the same."
"Very well."
Prudence had slipped under the blankets to finish undressing, and the
boy did likewise, removing his upper garment. The lamp, placed on a
little table beside the bed, dimly lit up the recess through the thin
curtains.
His emotion began to rise, and he asked:
"How many flowering Springtides have you known?"
"Fifteen, this year."
"Are you betrothed?"
But she was seized with unaccountable shyness, and dared not answer.
He brought his lips close to the delicate ear lying beside him, and
whispered:
"Why are you so bashful? We are only two women together."
Very low, she answered him:
"I am betrothed to the son of P'ei, the druggist, and already they
are urging that the ceremony should take place. Happily nothing is yet
decided."
"You are not very eager, then?"
She pushed his head gently away, saying:
"It is not nice of you to take hold of my words in this way, and to
make fun of me. If I am not eager, you do not seem to be any more so
than I."
"And how do you know that, maiden? In any case, how could I be so when
we are two women.
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