"You could have been more careful yourself. I shouldn't press the matter," the policeman said.

Simplicity Chow went on mumbling for a couple of sentences, but loosened his grip and helplessly watched the rickshaw coolie pad away. Spectators filled the crossroads, some talking, some laughing. Simplicity Chow gave his clothes a shake and said in despair , "How am I to go and see my uncle now?"

SIMPLICITY CHOW cleans his jacket at the Water Front Tea House.

Even the policeman laughed. "Why not go to the tea house and get a towel to wipe yourself off."

Following this simple piece of advice, Simplicity Chow went to the Water Front Tea House by the bridge, where he took a seat near the street and removed his jacket. The waiter brought a basin of hot water, and he wrung the towel dry and wiped carefully until not a trace of mud was left. Then he put it on again, took a sip of tea, paid the bill and got up, going straight to the central market on Salt Melon Street, where he found the signboard of the Ever Flourishing Ginseng Store and ambled into the high-walled little courtyard asking loudly for Mr. Benevolence Hung. A young sales clerk answered, asked him in, took his name and hurried in to announce him.

Soon Benevolence Hung bustled out. In spite of not having seen him for a long time Simplicity Chow could still recognize his hollow cheeks and protuberant eyes, strode up quickly saying "Uncle" and dropped to his knees. Benevolence Hung hastened to return the salutation and asked him to get up and sit in the place of honour, inquiring meanwhile, "How is your esteemed mother? Did she come with you? Where are you staying?"

"My humble quarters are at the Happy Arrival Inn on Treasured Virtue Street. Mother did not come, but told me to pay you her respects, sir," Simplicity said.

The young clerk had brought tobacco and tea during the conversation. Benevolence Hung asked his nephew why he had come.

"No particular reason," Simplicity said. "Just hoping to find some business to go into."

"Lately though, there hasn't been any business to go into in Shanghai," said Benevolence.

"Mother says I'm getting older by the year; and besides, what am I doing at home? Better to go out into the world and do some business."

"There's certainly something in that. How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"You have an esteemed sister too. I haven't seen her either for several years now. How much younger than you is she? Betrothed?"

"Not yet. She's fifteen this year."

"Who else do you have at home?"

"Just the three of us, and a maidservant."

"Not many expenses with so few people."

"We also have to pinch and save much more than before."

While talking they heard the clock strike twelve on the natural root table, so Benevolence asked Simplicity to stay for a casual meal and called the clerk in to ten him. In a moment four plates of cold cuts, two deep dishes and a kettle of wine were brought in, and Uncle and nephew sat facing each other drinking together and chatting over recent developments and how things were in the countryside.

"You live alone at the inn, nobody to look after you?" asked Benevolence.

"I have a friend from the rice hong called Hamlet Chang who's also in Shanghai to look for work—he's staying with me."

"That's an right then."

After lunch they wiped their faces and rinsed their mouths. Benevolence handed Simplicity a miniature hookah. "Sit a while. When I've finished some little chores I'n go to the north end with you."

Simplicity assented politely and Benevolence again hurried in.

Simplicity sat by himself and smoked the hookah until he got good and tired of it. Not tin the clock struck two did Benevolence come out, can the clerk again to leave some instructions, then go out with Simplicity to his room at the Happy Arrival Inn on Treasured Virtue Street. There was already a man in the room lying there smoking opium. After a brief greeting Benevolence asked, "Mr. Hamlet, I presume?"

"At your service," said Hamlet. " And you, Uncle, must be Mr. Benevolence?"

"You do me too great an honour."

"I am most sorry not to have come over to wait on you."

After this exchange of civilities they sat down opposite one another. Simplicity Chow produced a miniature hookah and offered it to Benevolence.

"This is my nephew's first visit to Shanghai, and he is absolutely dependent on your great kindness," said Benevolence.

……