money, wrapped in red paper, on a tray placed there for that
purpose, and, when filled, it was carried to the bride's room until a
more convenient time was found for the counting of the money.

The whole party, headed by the bridegroom and the bride, then proceeded
to the kitchen for the purpose of worshipping the kitchen god. The
bridegroom carried a rice measure with a lamp placed in it, the bride a
brush for cleaning the cooking pan. Many superstitious rites are
connected with the worship in the kitchen, the smallest detail has its
own meaning, but it would be too tedious to relate all.

The dinner came next, and this time the bride had to take the seat of
honour at the top table, but once seated there, she remained as silent
as the night before, and ate nothing. Again she went round to bow to
the guests at the different tables, who all stood up and solemnly drank
her health.

After dinner she was allowed to put off her bridal attire, and wear
some of the clothes sent her by her husband. She was also permitted to
throw off some of the reserve of the past days, and could talk more
freely to those around her.

The following day a messenger arrived from Mr. and Mrs. Tu, inviting
the young couple to return to the bride's home for dinner. They were
both carried in sedan chairs, and had to wear most of their wedding
garments again. They were very careful and modest in their
behaviour,--young Hsue especially was afraid of offending in word or
deed,--and they were not sorry when, soon after the formal dinner, they
could once more return home. Another formal visit had to be paid,
about two months later, at the beginning of the Chinese New Year, to
the bride's home, but then a more free and natural relationship was
established between the two families.

CHAPTER VII

DARK DAYS

The home Everlasting Pearl had entered was not a rich one. The members
were all simple, hard-working people, ordinary country farmers who had
to earn their living by the sweat of their brow. But they were honest
and peace-loving, and the five brothers worked together in unity.
Although one of the Chinese sages had said:

Let brotherly love in the home abound
And to gold will be changed the dust of the ground,

the gold seemed a long time coming to the Hsue family. They were able
by steady work to make a comfortable living at their farming, but there
was little over to make a fortune. On the whole, Everlasting Pearl was
m