Without further delay, the venerable go-between went straight to The Pavilion of the Quick Hedge, where she found Fan behind his counter, and saluted him:
"Ten thousand happinesses!"
"You come at the right time," he answered with a bow. "I was about to send to beg you to do so. For some days, I assure you, my brother has not been able to take a morsel of food. He says that his whole body is aching, and now he stays in bed. Will you, please, feel his pulse?"
"I will see him. But it is better for me to be alone with him."
"Then I shall not come with you."
So the old woman went up into the sick man's room, and he said to her feebly:
"Mother Wang, it is very long since I saw you. Alas! You come too late! My life is finished!"
"In what special way are you so seriously ill?" she asked, sitting near the bed and touching his wrist.
After a moment she continued:
"Shall I tell you the name of your illness? It is called Victorious-Immortal, little daughter of Chou, and her house is near the Ts'ao Gate."