"Young Lord Li did not come here with empty hands. He has paid us considerable sums of money."
"It was so at one time; but it is now so no longer. Tell him to give me enough to pay for rice for the two of you.... Indeed, I have no luck! Most of the girls I buy claim all the silver, and hardly care whether their clients live or die. But now I have reared a white tiger who refuses riches, opens wide the door, and makes my old body bear the total burden. O miserable child! You wish to keep the poor for nothing. Where will you find clothes and food? Tell your beggar to be wise enough to give me a few ounces of silver. If you will not send him away, I shall sell you and look for another slave. That would be better for both of us."
"Do you mean what you say?" asked the girl.
"But you know that Li Chia has neither money nor clothes, and cannot procure any."
"I am not jesting," answered the old woman.
"Then how much must he give to take me away?"
"If any one else were in question, I should demand several thousand ounces. Alas! This beggar cannot pay them! So I shall be satisfied with three hundred ounces, with which to buy another 'tinted face.' If he brings them within three days, I will take the silver with my left hand and give the girl with my right. But after three days, it matters not at all to me that three times seven are twenty-one; Lord or no Lord, I shall beat out this young spark with my broom, and you must bear no grudge for it."
"In spite of all, he should be able to borrow three hundred ounces. But three days is too little; he will need ten."
"Ten days!" cried the other. "A hundred would be more like! Yet so be it. I will wait ten days."
"If he cannot get the money, he will not have the face to return. My only fear is that you will go back on your promise, if he does bring the three hundred ounces."