The Clue of the New Pin · Chapter
XXXIX explained
Yeh Ling hosts a housewarming party and invites Ursula Ardfern, Tab Holland, and Inspector Carver.
What happens
Yeh Ling hosts a housewarming party and invites Ursula Ardfern, Tab Holland, and Inspector Carver. Tab is admonished by his editor Jacques for overly sentimental writing and is tasked with writing a story about Yeh Ling's pillars. At the party, Mr. Stott discusses his role in laying the foundations. Yeh Ling shows his art collection, and Ursula questions him about Rex Lander and Wellington Brown. Yeh Ling reveals that the Pillar of Grateful Memories was tampered with during construction. After the guests leave, Yeh Ling performs a burial ritual at the pillar, burning joss sticks and gold paper.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Clash and Orientalism
Yeh Ling's housewarming blends Western and Eastern elements, and his ritual at the pillar highlights the exoticization of Chinese customs.
Memory and the Past
The Pillar of Grateful Memories is dedicated to those who helped Yeh Ling, and his burial ritual suggests a connection to past events and unresolved grief.
Characters to notice
- Yeh Ling
Hosts a housewarming party, shows his art collection, and later performs a burial ritual at the Pillar of Grateful Memories.
- Ursula Ardfern
Accepts Yeh Ling's invitation, enjoys the party, and questions Yeh Ling about Rex Lander and Wellington Brown.
- Tab Holland
Attends the party with Ursula, is scolded by Jacques for his writing, and is tasked with covering Yeh Ling's pillars.
- Mr. Stott
Attends the housewarming, discusses his role in laying the foundations of Yeh Ling's property, and is praised by Ursula for his bravery during the fire.
- Jacques
Tab's editor, criticizes Tab's recent writing and assigns him to write a story about Yeh Ling's pillars.
Key passages
“I am giving what you call a housewarming on Monday next. Will you not come? And please if you can, will you persuade Mr. Carver and Mr. Holland also to be my guests for this festivity?”
Yeh Ling invites Ursula to his housewarming and asks her to bring Carver and Tab.
Yeh Ling extends a personal invitation to Ursula and requests her help in bringing others.
“It is a great idea, there is a story in that house, Tab. Now, boy, see if for once in your young life you can turn in a really informative column!”
Jacques tells Tab that Yeh Ling's house is a good story and urges him to write a proper column.
Jacques assigns Tab to cover Yeh Ling's housewarming, criticizing his recent work.
“I have dedicated this to all who have helped me, to the old man Shi Soh, to you, Miss Ardfern—to all gods western and eastern, to all who love and are loved.”
Yeh Ling says the pillar is a tribute to his helpers, including Shi Soh and Ursula, and to all gods and lovers.
Yeh Ling explains the dedication of the Pillar of Grateful Memories.
“I believe, I shall be happier—”
Yeh Ling expresses hope for greater happiness as he begins a ritual.
Yeh Ling anticipates emotional relief from his ritual at the pillar.
“I think those are all the gods I know, said Yeh Ling, dusting his fingers daintily.”
Yeh Ling concludes his ritual, having honored all the deities he is aware of.
Yeh Ling finishes his burial service with a sense of completion.