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The grandson's wife and granddaughters, on the other hand, had
their hair combed, but the long hairpin was of silver instead of
jade or gold, and instead of being decorated with jewels and
flowers, and a red cord, it was crossed and recrossed with bands
of folded sackcloth an inch and a half in width. It was neat and
very effective--the black hair and white cloth making a pretty
contrast to the Western eye, though it would probably not be so
considered by the Chinese.
After I had watched them for a few moments I said to the princess
who accompanied me:
"I must not intrude upon your time longer; you have been very
kind to allow me to witness all these interesting customs."
"Oh, but you must not go now," she insisted; "you must remain and
see the arrival of the priests, and the burning of the paper
houses, goods, chattels, and images on the great street. I want
you to understand all our customs, and this is the greatest and
most interesting day of the funeral ceremonies."
I urged that I ought not to intrude myself upon them at this
time.
"No, no," she said, "you must not say that. It is not intrusion;
you must stay and dine with us this evening."
When I still insisted upon going she said that if I went they
would feel that I did not care for them, and she was so
persistent that I consented to remain if the maid might be sent
home to the children, which they at once arranged for
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