The Street of Precious Pearls - Nora Waln

To Grace Coppock, who first encouraged me to go into the Far East, I owe deep gratitude.

From the women of China I have learned that World Fellowship is not alone an intellectual concept but a natural law in accordance with which the hearts of all women throb to the same rhythmic beat of the Universe.

To the women of America I dedicate this story of the life of my Chinese friend and teacher: it is as accurate as she with her small store of English words, and I with my limited knowledge of her language could make it.

CONTENTS

I

Wherein Yen Kuei Ping turns off from the Big Horse Street to make purchases on the Street of Precious Pearls [7]

II

Wherein there is a wedding and Kuei Ping becomes a member of the family of Chia [19]

III

Wherein there is a departure from family custom and Kuei Ping goes with her husband to live in Peking [31]

IV

Wherein a son is born and there is great rejoicing [41]

V

Wherein shadows throw their length across the tidy courtyard [49]

VI

Wherein there is deepening sorrow [55]

VII

Wherein the heart of a woman is occupied with one desire [61]

VIII

Wherein Kuei Ping prepares for a pilgrimage [65]

IX

Wherein there is patience and tenderness and understanding and a return to a little home village [73]

X

Wherein twenty-seven slow years are added one upon another [81]

XI

Wherein the narrator becomes Kuei Ping’s pupil and is filled with wondering questions and is witness to a dream come true in its threefold parts [91]

I
Wherein Yen Kuei Ping turns off from the Big Horse Street to make purchases on the Street of Precious Pearls	[7]

II
Wherein there is a wedding and Kuei Ping becomes a member of the family of Chia	[19]

III
Wherein there is a departure from family custom and Kuei Ping goes with her husband to live in Peking	[31]

IV
Wherein a son is born and there is great rejoicing	[41]

V
Wherein shadows throw their length across the tidy courtyard	[49]

VI
Wherein there is deepening sorrow	[55]

VII
Wherein the heart of a woman is occupied with one desire	[61]

VIII
Wherein Kuei Ping prepares for a pilgrimage	[65]

IX
Wherein there is patience and tenderness and understanding and a return to a little home village	[73]

X
Wherein twenty-seven slow years are added one upon another	[81]

XI
Wherein the narrator becomes Kuei Ping’s pupil and is filled with wondering questions and is witness to a dream come true in its threefold parts	[91]