红楼梦Chapter19_小升初阅读_小升初-查字典英语网

红楼梦Chapter19

Pao-yue， realising that there lurked in this remark some meaning or other， was suddenly so taken aback that dropping the chestnuts， he inquired： How is it that you now want to go back?

I was present to-day， Hsi Jen explained， when mother and brother held consultation together， and they bade me be patient for another year， and that next year theyll come up and redeem me out of service!

Pao-yue， at these words， felt the more distressed. Why do they want to redeem you? he consequently asked.

This is a strange question! Hsi Jen retorted， for I cant really be treated as if I were the issue born in this homestead of yours! All the members of my family are elsewhere， and theres only myself in this place， so that how could I end my days here?

If I dont let you go， it will verily be difficult for you to get away! Pao-yue replied.

there has never been such a principle of action! urged Hsi Jen; even in the imperial palace itself， theres a fixed rule， by which possibly every certain number of years a selection (of those who have to go takes place)， and every certain number of years a new batch enters; and theres no such practice as that of keeping people for ever; not to speak of your own home.

Pao-yue realised， after reflection， that she， in point of fact， was right， and he went on to observe： Should the old lady not give you your release， it will be impossible for you to get off.