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Authors: Janie Chang
Tags: Historical
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grove and pond amplified the sound of the raindrops.
“She might mention to my family that I’d mailed a letter at the post office.”
“But that’s what one does at a post office.”
“At home, we leave letters on a tray in the foyer and Father’s secretary posts them after Father reads them,” I explained, embarrassed.
Nanmei looked shocked. “He reads your personal letters?”
“Well, personal means for the family. When Gaoyin writes to Sueyin, it’s really meant for all of us.”
She shook her head, incredulous, then examined the address on the letter.
“That’s really close to our shoemaker’s. Mother’s taking us all to get measured for new shoes tomorrow. I could even deliver it personally to China Millennium’s office.”
“Oh, Nanmei, that would be so good of you. Mail service is terrible these days. Will your mother mind if you slip away for a few minutes?”
“ All the women of the house are going for new shoes.” We both laughed. Between Nanmei’s mother, her sisters, sisters-in-law, and assorted female cousins, the shop would be in chaos. She could disappear for an hour unnoticed.
“Besides, I may finally catch a glimpse of your beloved.” She sounded wistful.
***
After every lecture, Tongyin would go out with Hanchin and a few friends for a late supper. There had even been a few nights when Tongyin hadn’t come home until morning. On this evening, he returned early, just as we were finishing supper. He waved away the servant who put a bowl and chopsticks in front of him.
Tongyin pulled a book out of his satchel. “Look, here is Hanchin’s latest translation. Eugene Onegin by Pushkin. It’s fresh off the printing press.”
“Isn’t there already a translation?” I asked. “I’ve been reading Eugene Onegin. ”
“You’re correct. Absolutely right. But the original by Pushkin was a novel in verse, and that first translation was in prose. Hanchin translated it in verse. He said it’s the hardest work he’s ever done. It took him six years. He gave me a copy as a gift.”
He handed the volume to Father as though it were fine crystal. The book made its way around the table. I was the last to take a look. Hanchin had inscribed his name on the flyleaf, but just his name; there was no personal message to Tongyin.
I turned the pages slowly and carefully, scanning through the verses. This was the novel about the young girl in love with an older man. I wanted to read it all on the spot, inhale Hanchin’s words until they seeped into my blood, soaked into my brain. Tucked between the pages, I found a slip of very thin paper, almost onion skin, of palest blue. A bookmark or a price tag, something the printer had left behind. Reluctantly, I gave Eugene Onegin back to Tongyin.
Well, I had something to show the family too, now that we were finished eating.
“Third Daughter, what time does your convocation start?” Father interrupted my thoughts. “It’s the day after tomorrow, am I correct?”
My uniform was already hanging on my closet door, the plaid skirt ironed in perfect pleats. Nanny Qiu had ribbons for my hair the exact same shade of navy blue as my blazer. Alone in my room, I had practised giving the valedictorian speech several times.
“It starts at ten in the morning. But, Father, I’ll need to arrive an hour in advance, since I’m on the student organizing committee.”
“Third Daughter, you may take the motorcar and then send it back to fetch us. What awards can we expect my little bookworm to win?”
“I’m fairly sure I’ll win the prize for Literature, and also for History and Geography.” This was my opening.
“And the headmistress will be announcing something else, Father. I’ve got something to show you.” I held out the envelope I’d been hiding beneath my chair.
That morning the headmistress had called me into her office and handed me a letter from Hangchow Women’s University offering me a full scholarship. I managed to hold on to my
“She might mention to my family that I’d mailed a letter at the post office.”
“But that’s what one does at a post office.”
“At home, we leave letters on a tray in the foyer and Father’s secretary posts them after Father reads them,” I explained, embarrassed.
Nanmei looked shocked. “He reads your personal letters?”
“Well, personal means for the family. When Gaoyin writes to Sueyin, it’s really meant for all of us.”
She shook her head, incredulous, then examined the address on the letter.
“That’s really close to our shoemaker’s. Mother’s taking us all to get measured for new shoes tomorrow. I could even deliver it personally to China Millennium’s office.”
“Oh, Nanmei, that would be so good of you. Mail service is terrible these days. Will your mother mind if you slip away for a few minutes?”
“ All the women of the house are going for new shoes.” We both laughed. Between Nanmei’s mother, her sisters, sisters-in-law, and assorted female cousins, the shop would be in chaos. She could disappear for an hour unnoticed.
“Besides, I may finally catch a glimpse of your beloved.” She sounded wistful.
***
After every lecture, Tongyin would go out with Hanchin and a few friends for a late supper. There had even been a few nights when Tongyin hadn’t come home until morning. On this evening, he returned early, just as we were finishing supper. He waved away the servant who put a bowl and chopsticks in front of him.
Tongyin pulled a book out of his satchel. “Look, here is Hanchin’s latest translation. Eugene Onegin by Pushkin. It’s fresh off the printing press.”
“Isn’t there already a translation?” I asked. “I’ve been reading Eugene Onegin. ”
“You’re correct. Absolutely right. But the original by Pushkin was a novel in verse, and that first translation was in prose. Hanchin translated it in verse. He said it’s the hardest work he’s ever done. It took him six years. He gave me a copy as a gift.”
He handed the volume to Father as though it were fine crystal. The book made its way around the table. I was the last to take a look. Hanchin had inscribed his name on the flyleaf, but just his name; there was no personal message to Tongyin.
I turned the pages slowly and carefully, scanning through the verses. This was the novel about the young girl in love with an older man. I wanted to read it all on the spot, inhale Hanchin’s words until they seeped into my blood, soaked into my brain. Tucked between the pages, I found a slip of very thin paper, almost onion skin, of palest blue. A bookmark or a price tag, something the printer had left behind. Reluctantly, I gave Eugene Onegin back to Tongyin.
Well, I had something to show the family too, now that we were finished eating.
“Third Daughter, what time does your convocation start?” Father interrupted my thoughts. “It’s the day after tomorrow, am I correct?”
My uniform was already hanging on my closet door, the plaid skirt ironed in perfect pleats. Nanny Qiu had ribbons for my hair the exact same shade of navy blue as my blazer. Alone in my room, I had practised giving the valedictorian speech several times.
“It starts at ten in the morning. But, Father, I’ll need to arrive an hour in advance, since I’m on the student organizing committee.”
“Third Daughter, you may take the motorcar and then send it back to fetch us. What awards can we expect my little bookworm to win?”
“I’m fairly sure I’ll win the prize for Literature, and also for History and Geography.” This was my opening.
“And the headmistress will be announcing something else, Father. I’ve got something to show you.” I held out the envelope I’d been hiding beneath my chair.
That morning the headmistress had called me into her office and handed me a letter from Hangchow Women’s University offering me a full scholarship. I managed to hold on to my
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