nse, they called loudly for the soul, till the medium rushed off
home again, telling them the soul would return with them, and the sick
man would recover. But again the gods had played them false, for the
sick man got worse instead of better.

What was to be done next? An astrologer's advice was sought, and
readily given. He informed them that they had made a mistake the first
time, when they called in the Taoist priest, and that the wrong
ceremony had been performed. They must call in four Taoist priests to
perform for a day and a night, so as to drive away the evil spirits
which had taken possession of the sick man. The house was accordingly
decorated with idols on all sides, and the four priests began their
work. The noise in the house was almost unbearable, and thus it
continued for twenty-four hours, after which time the priests announced
young Hsue to be out of danger, as the evil spirits had taken their
departure. In reality there was only one thing that had taken its
departure, and that was the money possessed by the Hsue family, which
had now found its way into the roomy pockets of the priests.

The young wife was almost in despair. But it never occurred to her, or
to any one else in the family, to blame the idols or the priests. Very
likely they had not done enough for the sick man. They would call the
Taoist priests again, and let them go on for three days and three
nights. But where was the money to come from? A consultation was
held, and it was decided to mortgage the fields in order to get the
money needed. Of course it would mean poverty afterwards, but that
point could not be considered just now; all that mattered was to get
the young man well again. So the fields were mortgaged, and the
priests were more than pleased to come again. Needless to say they
succeeded no better than before, but that did not trouble them.

At last the whole family gave up in despair. It was true there was
still the rite called "The turning of tables," but that was too
expensive, and there was no money left for it. Nothing more could be
done. Young Hsue would have to be left to his fate, and they had to
resign themselves and make the best of their difficulties.

CHAPTER IX

BROKEN CISTERNS

Time dragged wearily on in that afflicted household, and Everlasting
Pearl walked about with a heavy heart. Her brothers-in-law felt sorry
for her, and several times offered to kill her husband, or get rid of