Chapters 13-15 Summary

It is New Year's Eve in Chapter 13. The household is prepared for a feast. The family members are seated by rank with the older generation at a different table from the younger generation. The younger table is much more lively than the older table. Everyone drinks freely, and soon many of them are drunk. After the feast is over, Chueh-hui goes outside to watch some of the fireworks. He sees a small beggar boy outside the gates and gives him two silver half-dollars. He feels hypocritical for this act, knowing that giving a beggar a couple of coins will not change the world.

In Chapter 14, it is New Year's Day, and everyone is in a good mood. A new character, Mama Huang, is introduced. She is the boys' maid and has been with them for ten years. She has watched them...