Page:Mr. Wu (IA mrwumilnlouisejo00milniala).pdf/222

 "I do," she said impulsively.

Wu bent his head gratefully—perhaps, too, to veil a smile—"But I will venture to take just two of those precious moments, to ask a great favor of you."

"Oh, anything!"

"You were visited yesterday by a lady of my house, Madame Sing, a kinswoman who has, since my wife's death, taken a mother's part—so far as it ever can be taken—to my daughter. Sing Kung Yah suffers a great humiliation and an intolerable loneliness"

"I was sorry I was out"

"And she was grieved to find you not at home. May I solicit your kindness for Madame Sing, Mrs. Gregory?"

"Oh—indeed—anything. But what can I do?"

"Much," Wu said. "She is ostracized by the ladies of our race. I am a powerful man among my own people, madame, but I cannot influence or soften the prejudices of Chinese femininity in the slightest. Because she is a widow, she should, according to one of the absurdest of the many absurd canons of our race, live in seclusion, sackcloth and discomfort. She is a nice creature, Mrs. Gregory, and she longs for friends. Will you visit Sing Kung Yah?"

"Oh—of course—gladly."

"It will open many doors to her, for Mr. Gregory's wife is a social power in Hong Kong. Chinese doors we are both powerless to open—in any real sense. Chinese cordiality I am not rich enough to buy for her or strong enough to seize. But life will be less dull for her if she can sometimes exchange visits with English ladies."

"I shall be so glad."

"Soon—perhaps?"

"Indeed, yes. Of course, until this terrible anxiety is removed"