“Oh, yes,” said Kate, drawing out the last word.
They turned into the Quarter at Washington Street, and at once they were in the midst of the festival. From a doorway burst a group of little, immobile-featured Cantonese women, all in soft greens, deep blues, reds and golds that glimmered in the gas-lights. Banded combs in jade and gold held their smooth, glossy black hair; their slender hands, peeping from their sleeves, shone with rings. The foremost among them, a doll-girl of sixteen or so, tottered and swayed on the lily feet of a lady. The rest walked upon clattering pattens, like a French heel set by the cobbler’s mistake at the instep.
Mark Heath, the young reporter, proud in his knowledge of “the inside,” took up the reins of conversation. 162
“A fairy story for you right at the start, birthday lady! That little-foot girl is the daughter of Hom Kip. You remember the story, don’t you? The old plug tried to sell this daughter of his for wife to a merchant in Portland. She had her own ideas—she eloped with the second tragedian from the theatre over there. Hom Kip put detectives on them, and caught her at Fresno. But she’d already married her actor American fashion; and the Portland bridegroom is waiting until father makes his little blossom a widow.”
“As temporary Empress of Chinatown, I order that he shall do nothing of the kind,” said Eleanor.
“As your grand vizier, I shall put the machinery in motion that will free the beautiful young bride,” rejoined Mark Heath.
Kate broke in.
“What became of the actor? I’m one of those dull persons who always wants the rest of the story!”
“I told you, didn’t I, that father is going to make her a widow? At least he was until the Empress ordered otherwise. The actor has probably abandoned his art, which gives him undesirable publicity. And some day, if 163 father dares disobey the Empress, there’ll be a mysterious murder in a backwoods laundry—police baffled.”
Eleanor contemplated the lily-foot girl, swaying about the corner into Dupont, her little handkerchief in one hand, her proper fan in the other.