ABSTRACT
Cash-and-Carry, for his part, began to be concerned about Silver Vase's openly insulting attitude to the man who was her husband in the sight of the world. Councillor Pi's birthday fell on the eighth day of the seventh month. For the occasion, the Grand Mistress had prepared a banquet for him and his companions. She spared no expense on the food and wine and proposed to entertain the guests with a troupe of actors as well as the flower-garden orchestra. Meanwhile, Councillor Pi sat lonely and embittered under the lamp in his room, with his own shadow for company. It was a relief to see another human face, even if it was only the maid Luckily Cherry, who had been sent by the Grand Mistress to make his bed. It is universally recognised that misfortune is lurking in wait for the man who has just attained the summit of good fortune.
