Page 33 - To Dragma November 1924

28 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

Emperor's aunt and his cousin, a most attractive girl of about 16
years. She has taken a foreign name too and calls herself
Princess Dorothy. She speaks a few words of English. She was
dressed in satins of the lighter colors and looked adorable. Then
the Empress' mother and aunt came. They were our real thrills,
because they had been to a birthday party of the E m p r e s s in
the Forbidden City earlier in the afternoon and wore the con-
ventional Mauchu head dress, which is most elaborate and which
they only wear on special occasions. Perhaps you have seen pic-
tures of it. A big wide broad effect covered with black satin and
with many large flowers in front. T h e n it is embellished with
semi-precious stones and pearls. Their costumes, too, were color-
ful and made of beautiful satins in different colors. They were
pictures I tell you. Chinese women of this class are perfectly
charming. They are so alert and intelligent looking and display
such refinement and dignity. It was a most thrilling afternoon
for us all, and I shall never forget how adorable Helen looked
when she was pouring tea for them. She has a very delightful
manner and I know could pour tea for the Queen of England
with as much ease as she did for the Manchu princesses. E a c h
princess was accompanied by her eunuch who goes everywhere
with her. These attendants waited out in the open court yard
in front of the drawing room. I think the most thrilling moment
in the afternoon was when the Empress' mother, the last one
to leave, stepped into her closed carriage and disappeared. She
waved to us and was gone. There was a mounted horseman in
front of her carriage and one behind. A l l of these women have
their own motor cars, but I was glad they came in their carriages
that day. Can you wonder that we were thrilled with our after-
noon? I t was one of the most interesting experiences I could
ever hope to have and I shall never forget it.

Marguerite Uhler, Upsilon.

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