East Wind: West Wind [antikvár]

These things I may tell you, My Sister, I could not speak thus even to one of my own people, for she could not understand the far countries where my husband lived for twelve years. Neither could I talk freely to one of the alien women who do not know my people and the manner of life we have had since the time of the ancient empire. But you ? You have lived among us all your years. Although you belong to those other lands where my husband studied his Western books, you wiU understand. I speak the truth. I have named you My Sister. I will tell you everything.You know that for five hundred years my revered ancestors have lived in this age-old city of the Middle Kingdom. Not one of the august ones was modern ; nor did he have a desire to change himself. They all lived in quietness and dignity, confident of their rectitude. Thus did my parents rear me in all the honoured traditions. I never dreamed I could wish to be different. Without thinking on the matter it seemed to me that as I was so were aM those who were really people. If I heard faintly, as from the distance3