Ahead … each woman is stooped beneath a backbreaking load of firewood.

Through the arch, supported this time on a walking stick with a carved buffalo-bone handle, came the old woman with bound feet he had seen at the hotel in Shao-shan. Wexford gave an exclamation. Mr Sung stopped talking and said sharply, 'Something is wrong?' 'No. It just seems extraordinary. That woman over there, I saw her in Shao-shan yesterday. Small world.' 'Small?' said Mr Sung. 'China is a very big country. Why lady from Shao-shan not come Chang-sha? She come, go, just as she like, all Chinese people liberated, all Chinese people flee. Light? I see no lady. Where she go?'

For there it lies so tranquil, so beloved, / All that it hath of Life with us is living; / So gentle, stirless, helpless, and unmoved, / And all unconscious of the joy 't is giving ….

Sketching is always a peltable or mobable offence, as being contrary to the Koran, and sitting down tempts the pelter.