niture. She was very
proud of it, but according to Chinese fashion kept exclaiming that
it was such a dirty bad room, that she could hardly ask us into it,
but we must excuse it, as it was 'an old woman's room.' We had the
concertina brought in again and sang several hymns to which they
listened very quietly. One of us read a verse and explained it
before singing it, and Mrs. Ahok joined heartily, most bravely
acknowledging herself to be a Christian, and telling her friends
how happy she was. We then went through the house, and about the
middle of the establishment we came on a little enclosure where
trees were growing, and a pond of water with a rookery behind it
looked quite pretty.... When we left they begged us to come again,
and Mrs. Ahok is so pleased with the reception we received that she
is anxious, if possible, to arrange for us to go again next week."

Even more formidable than ceremonious social calls in wealthy Chinese
homes, is the thought of entertaining the aristocracy in one's own home.

"I want to tell you about our grand feast," one lady writes. "We
had been entertained at several houses, and wished to try to get on
more friendly terms with some of the rich city ladies. We feared
that they would never be willing to come so far, they so seldom
leave their houses for anything. However, through our unfailing
friend, Mrs. Ahok, we sent invitations asking them to come and dine
with us.... Sixteen ladies promised to come. The day before, we had
to remind them of the day and hour; but according to Chinese
etiquette we only sent our cards, and the messenger explained his
errand...."

"Well, at last the day arrived, and we were busy all the morning
making the house look as bright as we could, and getting chairs put
about in the verandas and passages. Mrs. Ahok came first, very
kindly, and advised us how best to set the tables, etc. She ordered
the feast for us, as the Chinese always do, from a shop. So much
is paid for a table and everything is provided. Mrs. Ahok lent us
all her own pretty things for the table, lovely little silver cups,
ornamented silver spoons, red china tea cups with silver stands,
and ivory chopsticks mounted with silver; so we were very grand. We
had two tables, ten at each. We were twenty in all, counting
ourselves."

"At last they began to arri