gone to seed; the brassica was about to put forth its blossoms for seed; the small cabbage was very tough.
Ah Q felt as resentful as a scholar who has been treated unjustly in his examinations; but sauntering to the garden door, he was suddenly filled with a violent commingling of surprise and joy, for there before him, without a doubt, was a patch of turnips. He accordingly stooped down and began rooting some up.
Out from behind the door was suddenly thrust a surprisingly round head, which was straightway withdrawn; that certainly was the little nun. Ah Q looked upon her and her kind as the lowest of the low; but since there are times in this world when one cannot do as he pleases, he repressed his desire to open hostilities and hurriedly rooted up four turnips. After breaking off their leaves, he stuffed them into his jacket. By this time an elderly nun had come out.
"O-mi-t'o Fu, Ah Q, why have you climbed into this garden and stolen turnips?—Eye-yah, what a sin—oh me—O-mi-t'o Fu!"9
"Now I should like to know when I ever climbed into your garden and stole turnips," mocked Ah Q, looking at her as he ran.
"Isn't that just what you are doing . . . now?" asked the elderly nun, pointing at his rolled-up coat.
