human
Your father must be a very great scholar,
gpt
He has always been a diligent student,
human
What is his given name?
gpt
If you will give me a pencil I will write it for you; we never speak the given name of our father in China,
human
How many sisters are there in your family--eight, are there not?
gpt
Yes. You know, of course, that number five was engaged when a child of six to the son of Li Hung-chang.
human
No, I was not aware of the fact; and were they married?
gpt
No, they were never married. The young man died before they were old enough to wed. When word of his death was brought to her, child that she was, she went to our mother and told her she must never engage her to any one else, as she meant to live and die the widow of this boy.
human
And did she go to Li Hung-chang's home?
gpt
No, the old Viceroy wanted to take her to his home, build a suite of rooms for her, and treat her as his daughter-in-law, but our parents objected because she was so young. The Viceroy loved her very much, and his eyes often filled with tears as he spoke of her and the son who had passed away. When the Viceroy died she wanted to go and kotow at his funeral, and all his family except the eldest son were anxious to have her do so, and thus be recognized as one of the family. But this son objected, and though Lady Li knocked her head on the coffin until it bled he would not yield, lest she might want her portion.
human
And what has become of your sister? How is it that I have never seen her?
gpt
She withdrew to a small court, where she has lived with none but her women servants, not even seeing our father or brothers, and not allowing a male servant to go near her. And she will not permit the word Li to be spoken in her presence.
human
And what does she do? I asked.
gpt
How does she employ herself?
human
Studying, reading, painting, and embroidery. When young Li refused to allow her to attend his father's funeral her sense of self-respect was outraged and she cut off her hair and threatened to commit suicide. She often fasts for a week, and has tried on several occasions to take her own life.
gpt
Yes, we have constant apprehensions. But then, what if she did? It would only emphasize her virtue.