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           Mucheasierandlessexpensivethanputtingupanewhouse.Mostofthegardensseemedtobejungle,bambooandpalms,asiftheinhabitantshadgivenuptryingtokeepfloralorder.

           Themenandwomenshockedher.TogofordinnerandawalkwithLukeshehaddressedascustomdemandedinheeledshoes,silkstockings,satinslip,floatingsilkfrockwithbeltandelbowsleeves.Onherheadwasabigstrawhat,onherhandsweregloves.Andwhatirritatedherthemostwasanuncomfortablefeelingfromthewaypeoplestaredthatshewastheoneimproperlydressed!

           Themenwerebare-footed,bare-leggedandmostlybare-chested,wearingnothingbutdrabkhakishorts;thefewwhocoveredtheirchestsdidsowithathleticsinglets,notshirts.Thewomenwereworse.Afewworeskimpycottondressesclearlyminusanythinginthewayofunderwear,nostockings,sloppysandals.Butthemajorityworeshortshorts,wentbare-footedandshieldedtheirbreastswithindecentlittlesleevelessvests.Dungloewasacivilizedtown,notabeach.Butherewereitsnativewhiteinhabitantsstrollingaroundinbrazenundress;theChinesewerebetterclad.

           Therewerebicycleseverywhere,hundredsofthem;afewcars,nohorsesatall.Yes,verydifferentfromGilly.Anditwashot,hot,hot.Theypassedathermometerwhichincrediblysaidamereninetydegrees;inGillyat115degreesitseemedcoolerthanthis.Meggiefeltasifshemovedthroughsolidairwhichherbodyhadtocutlikewet,steamybutter,asifwhenshebreathedherlungsfilledwithwater.