Ning, Lao Tʻai-tʻai

Ning Lao T'ai-t'ai's family was originally wealthy but had fallen into poverty by the time she was born. Her marriage to an opium addict caused her much distress and suffering. In her old age she recounted her life story to Ida Pruitt over a stretch of two years, visiting three times a week. Pruitt lost touch with Ning during the war when the Japanese occupied her city, and never received word of her again.