Father, Niang, Ye Ye, Franklin and Susan were living in a second- floor flat on Boundary Street in Kowloon. In 1949, Hong Kong was a sleepy, tidy, quiet little city with clean streets and little t Aunt Reine had succeeded in bringing Niang's diamonds out of Tianjin in secret. She had covered the stones with cloth and used them as buttons on her winter coat. As she cut them free, the jewels fell one by one on to the coffee table. Niang was so happy about this that she did not seem too angry about my unexpected appearance. Day after day Niang took the Schilling family sightseeing in the large family car. I was left behind with Ye Ye and the servants. Secretly I was pleased. It was wonderful to be with Ye Ye again
We went for walks and played games. I read the newspapers to him every morning. Often we just sat quietly together, happy with each other's company. At Sunday breakfast, Niang suggested that we should all have lunch at an expensive hotel on Hong Kong Island. Everyone squeezed into Father's large car. I was the only one left at home, standing by the side of the road with the servants. Victor complained. "It's not fair, Mother, he said to Aunt Reine. Why is Adeline never allowed to go anywhere with us? Niang interrupted. "The car is too crowded. There is no room for Adeline. She is staying here. You can come with us now or you can stay at home with her. "Then I think I'll keep Adeline company' Victor climbed out of the car and stood by my side as the car drove away. I have never forgotten his thoughtfulness. Uncle Jean and his family soon left for Geneva, where he had a new job
It did not take ather long to make a name for himself in the business life of Hong Kong. He quickly started some very successful companies. people in the high Father and Niang were soon important society of Hong Kong. Unusually for Chinese people, they spoke English and were comfortable with Westerners. Niang was beautiful and fashionable, and she appeared often in the society pages of local newspapers and magazines. Wonderful dinners were held at home. During these dinners, Ye Ye and we stepchildren were never talked about or introduced to any of the important visitors. We had to stay in our rooms, and not hidden embarrass anyone by our presence. Two days after the Schilling family departed, Niang ordered me to pack my things. I was being taken away