Dragon Seed Page #2

I wish you would take

that squealing thing from him.

You should get him a wife. It's time

he brought grandsons into this house.

- In time. In time.

- lf you told him to marry...

...you're not sure he would obey.

- So you spare yourself dealing with him.

- There is no need to deal with him.

- Shall I tell you a secret thing in your heart?

- No.

Our third son is the son you love best,

but most uneasily.

He's different from the others.

You fear that.

That's why you go on the far side

of an argument.

Our sons wait for their towels.

Jade. Jade, where is my towel? Jade?

Thank you, Jade.

I've not seen her since the sun

was in the middle of the sky.

The matchmaker cheated us.

- What? My wife is not in the house?

- I could not find her.

This comes of women having their feet free.

Nowadays they run around like goats.

- May I help you, Mother?

- Have you ever done so?

Or has your worthless one?

All that is done in this house, I do.

- At least my wife stays at home.

- Jade has a reason to go to the village.

When a woman knows a man wants her,

she will ever display herself.

That is true. Have you not seen

our fourth cousin look at Jade?

He resembles a sick cat:

I would beat her until she was

not so good to look upon.

If more of that were done,

there will be less trouble with wives.

Only men should make sure first

they are able.

These new-fashioned women

are not easily beaten.

I will dress and go find her.

Then we will see who is able.

Eat first, my son, and your arm

will be stronger for all this beating.

Who tries to see within our house

without himself being seen?

Are you eating, wife of my third cousin?

Our rice is poor and scanty.

And we have no pork at all.

- But will you share it with us?

- Thank you. But I cannot.

Are you alone, then?

Is my fourth cousin not here?

My son is not home yet.

But your third cousin,

my honored husband, is here.

How are you, sir? What new thing

have you found in your book?

Nothing his family can chew, swallow

and grow fat on, I can tell you.

My fourth cousin is in the city perhaps?

I do not know. My son

has been gone since the noon meal.

Well, I must get on.

I have business in the village.

He lies.

He has no business in the village

at this hour.

He looks for his wife, Jade.

And if he finds her with our son,

as he well may...

Jade is married to Lao Er.

The thing my son felt for her has ended.

It will never be ended

until one of them is dead.

You old book fool, it is your fault.

It is your fault we starve.

It is your fault we did not get Jade

for our son.

- Can I control a woman's choice?

- A woman's choice?

Did not your cousin Ling Tan

give you 30 silver dollars?

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