After traversing the tortuous length of North Szechuen Road, it is a distinct relief to emerge on a wide highway leading to Hongkew Park and one draws a breath of relief on entering its broad expanse. Among the throngs pouring out many have been playing tennis despite the heat and some are still on the courts regardless of the pageantry of the sunset or the oncoming dusk. We strike off to the left to our favourite nook on the shores of the pond where gigantic lotus blooms raise their pink cups above the great green leaves that cover the water.
Under the trees the coolie drops the luncheon boxes and thermos bottles and is off. The calm of evening spreads about. The wide stretches of lawn are extensive enough to hold without crowding the hundreds that have taken advantage of this breathing space on this gasping afternoon, Profusely bowing Japanese groups separate; tennis players, tired but happy, go briskly off; mothers and amahs count up their charges and drag them unwillingly away; strolling lovers wander along the little brook.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.