a raven pitch'd upon him, and there sate, jobbing of the sore
[…] I have not treated you as a Wise man would have done in silence, but it is time to put an end to this tittle tattle which has nauseated you for three days together.
Cedric Tan, a Baba whose home is in Malacca, provides details of a Peranakan family's preparations that go far beyond these general statements, including lighting lanterns, saying prayers, lighting candles and joss sticks, paying homage to elders, exchanging ang pau (red packets with money inside), visiting a nearby temple, delivering delicacies to neighbors, and even visiting family graves.
The house seemed unfamiliar in the dark stormy light; the red and purple glass of the front door made livid bruises on the linoleum; the green chenille curtain was like a veil of seaweed.
