He used to look attentively at the women that must be "out to corrupt men," but none of them smiled at him. He also used to listen attentively to women he chanced to speak with, but none of them ever touched upon the subject of adultery. This was only another hateful trait in women; they all pretend to be virtuous!
One day after supper Ah Q was sitting in the kitchen of His Honor Chao and smoking his pipe, having pounded rice all day. In another house a laborer would have gone home after supper but at His Honor's supper was early. The usual custom in that household was to go to bed immediately after supper so that no lamp need be lit; but there were a few exceptions: first, before His Honor's son passed his examinations he was allowed to read under lamplight; and second, when Ah Q came to pound rice, so that he might continue his work after supper. So Ah Q was still there, smoking his pipe.
Having washed the dishes, Wu-ma, the only maidservant in the house, sat on the bench and gossiped with Ah Q.
"Tai-tai has not touched food for two days, because His Honor is thinking of taking a little mistress."
"Women . . . Wu-ma . . . the young widow," Ah Q thought.
"Our shao nai nai will give birth to a child in the eighth moon."
"Women . . . ," Ah Q thought.
Ah Q put down his pipe and stood up.
"Our shao nai nai . . . ," Wu-ma was continuing.
"I'll sleep with you! I'll sleep with you!" Ah Q suddenly went up to her and knelt before her.
Instantly, silence fell.
