1705034460
Then the little girl, who, in her embarrassment, was trying to stick her foot into her mouth, was brought to the table, to see what object she would pick up first. If she takes a brush, she will be an authoress; if she grabs at a saucepan, she will be a housewife; if she touches silk, she will be a well-dressed woman; if she picks up a foil, she will make herself famous as a heroine or a chieftain.
1705034461
1705034462
I don’t know what object my little sister chose. Judging by the fact that she is now in Peking University, and shows a great deal of interest in literature, she must have chosen a brush or a book. However, she was a niece of two teachers. So many books and so much stationery were piled up that day on the red cloth that the insignificant needle and thread had no chance of getting into the hands of little Shih-kuen.
1705034463
1705034464
In those days, she was the important person in the house. But I did not mind. I was grown up. I was six years older than she.
1705034465
1705034466
Notes
1705034467
1705034468
European method of holidays, having one day of rest a week.
1705034469
1705034470
public schools, in our country, the schools established by the city, provincial, or national government where every qualified person can get a free education; the opposites of private school which are maintained by private individuals or bodies for the education of private students.
1705034471
1705034472
springs or places where water wells up from the earth are rare （hard to find）, because so few, in a desert.
1705034473
1705034474
one week day, any day in the week but not Sunday.
1705034475
1705034476
cover, the quilt or bed-cover.
1705034477
1705034478
Why little balls and wrinkles ?
1705034479
1705034480
some sweets, some sweet candy for the new-born baby to eat. Of course we know that babies of that age do not eat candy, but how was the little brother to know that? It was cruel of the grandmother to laugh at the young lad. Still, we must excuse her for she was only an ignorant old woman.
1705034481
1705034482
paid dearly, suffered much teasing; was often teased because of his mention of going to the store to get the baby some candy.
1705034483
1705034484
On what occasion did the grandmother tease him, a little later in the story?
1705034485
1705034486
dowry, the money, goods, or estate which a woman brings with her to her husband in marriage; dot.
1705034487
1705034488
labor, childbirth; the giving birth to children, because of the pains that attend childbirth.
1705034489
1705034490
longingly, with eager desire.
1705034491
1705034492
Why businessslike manner ?
1705034493
1705034494
buzzing, noisy because there were so many of them around.
1705034495
1705034496
What is this occasion mentioned here, that happens a month later, after the birth of the child?
1705034497
1705034498
affable, gracious; courteous; sociable.
1705034499
1705034500
Hsien-Shih, their home village in Szechwan.
1705034501
1705034502
cackling, making sharp broken noises.
1705034503
1705034504
gilt-paper, paper golden-yellow colored.
1705034505
1705034506
hieroglyphic, word; pictorial symbol or emblematic figure.
1705034507
1705034508
flexible fencing-foil, soft sword used for fencing or sword-exercising.
1705034509
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