The voices went into his ears but left no impression of their import.

There was, in fact, only one clear thought in his fevered brain: he had reached the hotel without falling down.
The sing-song girl, seeing Ruth, extended her hands and began to chatter rapidly.

Ruth made a little gesture, of infinite pity; and this was quickly seized upon by the slant-eyed Chinese girl.

She crawled over and caught at the skirts of this white woman who understood.
"What is she saying to me ?" Ah Cum shrugged.
Ruth stared into the painted face, now sundrily cracked by the coursing tears.

"But she is saying something to me! What is it ?" The hotel manager, who spoke Cantonese with facility, interpreted.
He knew that he could translate literally.