“Yes,” added another, “it is so totally different from what one sees among Western people.”
“Different!” exclaimed van Rheijn, “of course it is—it is quite consistent with everything else in China. With them everything is upside down. Their mourning colour is white and blue is half-mourning. Their ladies wear trousers and the men carry fans. Such things as knives, spoons and forks they leave to us barbarians, while they manage very cleverly to whisk down their food with a pair of chop-sticks. They hold that descendants can ennoble their ancestors so that one may become a count or a baron after one’s death. They pay their doctors so long as they keep well; but the moment they fall sick they stop payment. What can you expect from such people—? surely you may let them hold their wedding feast at the bridegroom’s house instead of the bride’s!”
A general laugh greeted this whimsical sally which had by no means been uttered in an undertone. Mrs. van Gulpendam joined in the merriment and rewarded the speaker with another friendly nod.
“You see! you lucky dog! you are decidedly in her good books.”
“Hush, gentlemen! here comes the murderer.”
“What? unfettered?”
“Yes, the law demands that an accused man shall appear free and unfettered before his judges.”
“But it does not forbid a couple of constables to stick close to his elbow.”
“Hush!”
Mr. Greveland had repeatedly struck the table with his wooden hammer.