“Thank the gods, thank the gods, that from your house has come forth such a son. My house is honoured in him. You are forgiven.”
Then the father called Ting Lang to prostrate himself before his grandparents, which he did, knocking his head to each three times. As old Mr. Hu looked at him his eyes filled and he said, “He has the virtues of Heaven and the strength of the gods; this is a son for the gods, and the glory of his father, grandfather, and most worthy mother; be comforted, son-in-law, we cannot divide the house; the child to seek his father was ready to die, and to our house has come glory, and because of the virtues of this boy the broken household shall be reunited. To-day is a great day in our family. To honour this event, for three days the workmen [[154]]shall feast on meat and flour, and we will have a great house-feast for three days, that all the friends and relatives may know of our joy. We will call the best teacher in the land and the boys shall study together;” then again he put his hand on Ting Lang’s shoulder and said:
“You need not mourn for your mother. I will send for her. She shall come in state and live in luxury all the rest of her life.”
Thus were husband, wife, and children all comforted, and made ready for the great feast and theatre in honour of the oldest son. After which the oldest family servants were sent north to Peking with letters for the mother of Ting Lang.
Hu Yüch Ying wrote a beautiful letter of invitation to her, telling of the home that awaited her, of herself, the little sister who would care for her, of two sons instead of one, who longed for her instruction and help. She wrote of the comforts she could have and the welcome that awaited her.
When the servants reached Peking they had a hard time to find the small court where she had her little room. They asked for “Lady Yü,” which much surprised her neighbours. They said:
“The only one in that court by that name is an old woman who is almost a beggar; she [[155]]has a small son, but he is off seeking his father.”
“Please call her,” said the head steward, and the neighbours went and said, “Mrs. Yü, some men at the gate are seeking you. They seem to belong to some big man, but their dialect is not of this province.”
Yü Yüch Ying said, “Tell them my room is small, I have no man at home, and it is not, therefore, proper for them to enter my place. Whatever business they have they are to tell you.”
As they returned to the gate the neighbours said, “Although she is so poor, she is most particular as to observing good customs.”