Thursday, 30 January

Fourth day of the first lunar month

A dinner party of two tables was arranged by Yukun and Tianjuan. All were merry and gay. The party ran happily into the middle of the night with Yan Quanju (楊全鞠) playing erhu and several of the guests singing. Mrs. Chen Bomei (陳伯梅) though having a drop too much sang two songs. From the way she carries herself and her complete mastering of the game of finger–playing, she must have seen better days. All agreed that this is the best party Dushiqiao had ever held.

The afternoon was occupied pleasantly in planting chrysanthemums with Yukun in my little garden. Reading and gardening are my pleasures nowadays, being in this remote part of the world.