A couple of agitated faces and the high pitched voices of girls chatting greeted Soo-Ah when they entered the teahouse. Her gisaeng sisters did not wait to take turns, talking over each other and complaining about what precious objects were destroyed and what the shaking ground caught them doing. When following in the king's steps and sharing in his anguish Soo-Ah barely noticed a couple of the roof tiles fallen in the garden or the overturned flower pots. But she heard about such details loud in clear from the girls' loud babble.
The matrons' worried thoughts were turned towards the hospital. "I can't stop thinking about those poor souls from our rest home, dearest sister. Should we go see if everyone is alright?" Hanna suggested to her partner, with genuine concern.
