Why all people say Chinese make all things to stand on honorable heads,
make honorable insides outsides, make honorable top sides down sides?
Truly these things I cannot to understand.
Question IV - Every body know Chinese people greatest inventors in whole
world, invent gunpowder, printing press, compass. Why Chinese way not
best and wisest? Why, in this College, every body say must read from
front to back of book? Why say eye of needle, when they mean nose of
needle? Why speak to learned person without taking eye-glasses from
face? Why is it best to serve dessert at the end and not at the
beginning of a feast?
Dr. Ewing say one day when we go to walk in country, "This road just
like one corkscrew," and ask of me the reason why? "Very good reason," I
reply. "Chinese people know very well how to protect selves from Gui
(devils). Gui always travel in straight line, roads wind around, so Gui
no can catch traveler." Dr. Ewing look at me long time then say, "Can it
be that after so long time in our great College you still believe such
things as these?"
To this I only make reply - "Perhaps when your country become same age
as China, you will learn how true these things are that I tell you."
Then I take opportunity to tell Dr. Ewing why her friend's little child
so very ill. Over the house in which this little child now sick to death
grow vines, long vines that cover windows nearly up, and that hang down
over roof, and doors, all truly most dangerous vines. Americans not know
that Guis can enter house most easily where vines hang down over roofs
and doors and windows; another most dangerous thing about this house is
it have eaves about top side all turning down also. Now Chinese people
can keep wicked devils out of all houses, all temples, because they know
to build eaves to turn up, to throw devils into air, so no can come into
house. I say surely baby in that foreign house must to die, and I feel
very sorry, but can to do nothing because foreigner no listen to what
poor ignorant Chinese girl say.
I well know how with whole heart Dr. Ewing love this little child, so
one night I creep out so still, and carry long garden shears, and climb
on step-ladder of window where baby so very sick, and cut away every
little vine where hang down over window. That time very cold, very dark
night make me very afraid, because angry Gui may come catch me
protecting child, but I so much love little child, will try what can do.
Next day Dr. Ewing say - "Dear little baby much better, now will to
live." I know and no other know why baby live, but I keep secret down
deep in heart, and feel greatest happiness.