Today when from Chapel we arrive, on breeze of morning come sound of
Tom-Tom from without the Compound wall. All Chinese girl run down to
gate. Miss Sterling enter in and Sedia at once close gate but not too
quickly. In opening I view Chinese all about box in street-centre
standing. On box, man; he make movement to turn face, and to me alone I
cry, "It is He of the Bridge of the Ten Thousand Ages!" My soul is in
darkness and my feet have wings. I fly far away. When I wish no more to
fly I cannot cease, but go onward. At last I fall to earth and know no
more.
When I awake it is in a place of strangeness - a room full of sunshine,
making entrance through windows of much number. The walls and carpets
are of the blue of the sky; the chairs, dressing-table and couch upon
which I lie are all of a whiteness; the Mieng about me is again blue. I
shut my eyes in wonderment; all is of beauty extraordinary! A hand comes
to my miserable forehead and Mother Heart (Miss Sterling) give of
sympathy to her unhappy child.
The memory of being like Fuku - not well born - smites my heart and bids
my tongue be still. I speak not. By and by Miss Sterling whisper, "Why
did you run away from the gate, Bing Ding?" I whisper return: "It was He
of the Bridge of the Ten Thousand Ages.
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