•m 
 
 -^•A iCHILDREN 
 OF CATHAY 
 
 il JENNIE BECKINGSALE 
 
6 3^ 
 
 atljara, New ^ork 
 
 CHARLES WILLIAM WASON 
 COLLECTION 
 
 CHINA AND THE CHINESE 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 CHARLES WILLIAM WASON 
 
 CLASS OF 1876 
 
 1918 
 
^^^.^^ATEDUE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 JAN 26} 
 
 975 
 
 
 
 /\/cf^ / 
 
 ^Yi~~ 7 r 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 (y 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GAYLORD 
 
 
 
 PRINTEDiN U.S.A. 
 
 DS 725 B39™" ""'™"">' ^'°'^'"i 
 ^'^^^xmmL^Si?!,^. s'oiy 0' «he China 
 
 3 1924 023 507 795 
 
The original of tliis bool< is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023507795 
 
A Doctor and his Dog in 
 Uganda : From the Letters 
 and Journal of A. R. Cook, 
 M.D. Edited by Mrs. E. B. 
 Cook. 2s. 
 
 A Miracle of Modem Mis- 
 sions. The Story of Matula. 
 By Rev. John Bell. 2s. 
 
 What can / do ? or, How to 
 
 help Missions. By Annette 
 Whymper. is. 6d. 
 

 CHILDREN OF CATHAY 
 
ITS BODY CURVED AND WRIGOLED IN A MOST LIFELIKE MANNER. 
 
 ^Fipp hnifp 127. 
 
CHILDREN 
 
 OF CATHAY 
 
 A STORY OF THE 
 CHINA OF TO-DAY. 
 
 JENNIE BECKINGSALE 
 
 WITH THREE ILLUSTRATIONS BY EDWIN A, NORBURY 
 
 LONDON 
 
 THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY 
 
 4 BouvERiE Street and 65 St. Paul's CHURCHY-iRD, E.G. 
 
 If 01^ 
 

 T' 
 
 W%%\ 
 
 r\ 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 I. The Home or little Kott 
 II. FiKST Rays of Light 
 III. The Fair bt the Temple 
 rv. Daily Life in Tung An 
 V. The Holiday in a Temple 
 VI. Sowing the Seed 
 VII. An Eventful Visit . 
 VIII. Little Kou leaves Home 
 IX. Kou GOES TO School . 
 X. Christmas in China . 
 XI. Kou's Eetuen Home . 
 XII. De. Eva at Woek 
 
 XIII. The Feast of Lanterns 
 
 XIV. Kou GETS A New Name 
 XV. A Season of Teial . 
 
 XVI. A Season of Peeil 
 XVII. Fleeing foe Life 
 XVIII. The Escape by the Han Rivee 
 XIX. Feom Hankow to Shanghai , 
 XX. Aftee the Stoem 
 
 9 
 
 18 
 
 23 
 
 40 
 
 50 
 
 59 
 
 68 
 
 78 
 
 87 
 
 96 
 
 105 
 
 114 
 
 123 
 
 131 
 
 141 
 
 150 
 
 159 
 
 168 
 
 177 
 
 18S 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 A HUGE Dragon with movable Jaws, its Body 
 
 CtTEYED AND WRIGGLED IN THE MOST LIFE- 
 LIKE MANNER ..... Frontispiece 
 
 She had a terrible fear of Demons, and her 
 
 WAKEFUL NIGHTS WERE TIMES OF HORROR . To fOAX page 16 
 
 They quite forgot their own danger till 
 they were safely past the unfriendly 
 
 SPOT ,.,...,, 172 
 
CHILDREN OF CATHAY 
 
 CHAPTEE I 
 
 THE HOME OF LITTLE KOU 
 
 TT was the dawn of a summer day. A broad plain 
 -'- stretched away southward as far as the eye could 
 see, and on the dim horizon lofty mountains raised 
 their heads to the clouds. To the north lay a range 
 of low hills, of that peculiar geological formation, so 
 often seen in Northern China, known as ' loesse,' which 
 presents a naturally terraced face, intersected by deep 
 ravines and forbidding gullies with almost perpendicular 
 walls, where the wolves lurk in the winter time. 
 
 Although the sun was only just rising, far away on 
 the plain a train of mule-carts was slowly moving 
 along the rough country road. The muleteers, 
 knowing well what fierce heat would beat upon them 
 at midday, had risen before dawn, to travel a long 
 stage in the early morning, and the loud cracking of 
 their whips and their uncouth cries resounded in the 
 still air. The tinkle of the mule-bells, softened by 
 
 9 
 
10 Children of Cathay 
 
 distance, fell pleasantly on the ears of the early-risers 
 in the village on the hillside. 
 
 The little hamlet was stirring into life. Already 
 some industrious farmers were preparing for the day's 
 work. The village schoolmaster, yawning, opened his 
 door, and taking his quilt from the brick-bed, shook 
 it and folded it up, replacing it in a corner of the 
 bed, for his pupils might come in at any moment. 
 As he stood looking out over the plain, a little way- 
 side shrine caught his eye, with its curious peaked 
 roof and dragon ornaments. Someone had been 
 performing devotions there, for yellow paper 
 streamers were floating from the niche in which the 
 idol reposed, and sticks of incense were smouldering 
 in a pot of earth before it. He was roused from his 
 idle wonder as to who the worshipper might be by 
 the arrival of his pupils. Half a dozen merry-faced 
 urchins were they, clad in loose garments of blue 
 cotton, with neat white socks and gay shoes. The 
 front part of their crowns was shaved, while the hair 
 growing long behind was plaited into a pigtail tied 
 with red string. As they approached their master, 
 they made him a profound bow, placing their hands 
 together and raising them above their heads, then 
 bending low till their hands nearly touched their feet. 
 
 ' Grood-morning, teacher,' they cried, and then filed 
 into the schoolroom. Each boy opened his book and 
 began to repeat his lesson at the top of his voice. 
 
The Home of Little Kou ii 
 
 regardless of the feelings of his neighbours. The 
 scholars sat on narrow benches with their books on 
 wooden tables, while the master kept his eye on them 
 to prevent idling, and quickly reproved any who might 
 chance to cease the shouting which was regarded as a 
 positive proof of industry. 
 
 The schoolmaster then proceeded to comb and plait 
 his hair and trim his nails ; for the schoolroom was his 
 living room, and these trifles of the toilet did not 
 impair his dignity in the eyes of his scholars. 
 
 Not far from the schoolhouse was a dwelling 
 somewhat larger than the rest. It stood on a terrace, 
 and some of its rooms were caves, dug out of the wall 
 of earth forming the next step up the hillside. Id 
 front of these caves the ground was beaten hard and 
 firm to make a yard, which was enclosed by a wall. 
 Other rooms were built on the opposite side of the 
 yard, a cowshed and stable occupied one end, and the 
 entrance gate took up a large part of the other. The 
 owner and his eldest son were busily engaged in 
 feeding the mule and donkey. 
 
 Loud cries were heard from one of the rooms. 
 
 'Get up, get up, you lazy, good-for-nothing girlf 
 Of what use is it to support a daughter when she will 
 not even grind the corn ? Far better were it if you 
 had been sent to your mother-in-law when you were 
 engaged — then at least we should have been saved 
 your keep all these months ! ' 
 
12 Children of Cathay 
 
 The sound of blows was heard, and a girl's voice 
 crying out — 
 
 ' Oh. mother, my feet ached so badly, I could not 
 sleep all night. Oh, my feet, my feet ! ' 
 
 ' Ah, you shameless thing,' the harsh voice replied, 
 ' is that the way you requite me for all the trouble I 
 have taken to get you a good husband ? Would you 
 have liked to marry a beggar ? That is all you would 
 have had, if your feet had been larger. Get up, I 
 say ; the corn must be ground early, for the men have 
 a long day's work before them.' 
 
 The child was roughly pushed into the yard, and 
 such a pitiful little figure appeared. The unkempt 
 black hair fell in tangled masses about the tear- 
 stained face. A very dirty jacket covered her 
 shoulders ; below were ragged trousers tied closely 
 round the tiny ankles. Then the feet ! The 
 hideously deformed lumps of flesh were bound up 
 with soiled and bloodstained rags, which covered the 
 sores caused by the cruel treatment used to crush the 
 tender feet. The poor child stumbled forward, letting 
 all her weight rest upon the heels, for the toes caused 
 her great agony if they touched the ground. As she 
 saw her brother, however, her eyes brightened, and 
 she looked more cheerful. 
 
 ' T'ien En,' she called softly ; and he looked up and 
 tossed her part of a ripe sunflower head. She eagerly 
 caught it, and began to pick out the seeds and eat 
 
The Home of Little Kou 13 
 
 the sweet, savoury kernels. When she heard her 
 mother's voice calling to her roughly, she hastily 
 thrust her treasure into the bosom of her jacket, and 
 shuffled across to the mill, at which Wang Ta-Sao 
 was already standing with a bowl of grain to be 
 prepared for the morning meal. The lower millstone 
 was laid upon a flat table of mud, about three feet 
 from the ground ; a rim projected to catch the flour. 
 The upper stone lay upon the lower one, and had a 
 long pole thrust through it, so that it might be turned 
 upon the other. The grain was poured into a round 
 hole at the top, and was gradually ground to flour as 
 it was pressed outwards by the turning of the stone. 
 Little Kou and her mother took opposite ends of the 
 pole, and began their weary task of pushing it round 
 and round to grind the corn. 
 
 Wang Meng Lin, the father, was a stolid, hard- 
 working farmer, who by patient labour and economy 
 had at last attained the position of independence 
 which he now held. His farm of ten acres belonged 
 to him, and he had a mule and cart of his own. In 
 the village he was respected as a well-to-do man, and 
 had few enemies ; for his policy of hearing much and 
 saying little stood him in good stead. 
 
 His wife, Wang Ta-Sao, as she was generally called, 
 was unfortunately a bad-tempered, harsh woman. 
 Her industry and careful management helped to raise 
 her husband's little fortune, but his peace of mind 
 
t4 Children of Cathay 
 
 was often ruffled by her displays of temper, and he 
 solaced himself by meditating over his pipe on the 
 chances of life. 'Ah, well!' he thought, 'I might 
 have had an easy-going wife like my brother, and 
 never a whole pair of shoes, nor a string of cash in 
 the house.' 
 
 Their eldest child was a daughter, Li-Hwa, or 
 Pear-Blossom, and very dear was she to her father's 
 heart. But she had been married the previous spring 
 to the son of a farmer, forty miles away, and could 
 not often visit her parents. 
 
 T'ien En, or Heavenly Grace, came next, to fill his 
 mother's soul with joy and pride ; for to have a son is 
 the desire of every Chinese wife. He was at this 
 time a well-grown lad of fifteen, and resembled his 
 father in disposition. When quite a child, he 
 attended the village school, but his intellectual 
 capacities were not great, and after two years it was 
 decided that a scholastic career was not for him ; so 
 he returned to his favourite occupation — working in 
 the fields by his father's side, and tending the 
 animals. 
 
 Another son was born, who died while a baby, and 
 then came poor little Kou. They gave her this 
 name, which means ' Enough,' because there was 
 already Li-Hwa in the home, and they desired no 
 more daughters. She had now reached the age of 
 twelve years, but looked unhealthy and sickly. The 
 
The Home of Little Kou 15 
 
 cruel foot-binding had stunted her growth and pre- 
 vented wholesome exercise, and her mind had been 
 entirely neglected. She had a terrible fear of demons, 
 and her wakeful nights were times of horror, filled 
 with the memories of threats, and dread of their 
 fulfilment. 
 
 The youngest child was a boy of ten, named T'ien 
 Pao, or Heavenly Eeward. He was remarkably 
 clever, and could already repeat many chapters of the 
 ancient classics by heart. It was hoped that he 
 might become a scholar and take his degree, and 
 by and by rise to a high position — perhaps even 
 become a city magistrate, who knows ? The boy was 
 so well accustomed to hear his own praises sung, 
 that he thoroughly beheved in his abilities, and had 
 already become arrogant and overbearing both at 
 school and at home. Wang Ta-Sao thought that this 
 showed his fine spirit, and never dreamed of correcting 
 him. 
 
 At last, after an hour's work, sufficient flour was 
 ground for the day's needs, and Wang Ta-Sao pro- 
 ceeded to mix some of it with water to make dough. 
 This was rolled out into a thin paste and cut into 
 long strings. Meanwhile T'ien En had drawn water 
 from the well and filled the large iron pan which was 
 fixed to the top of the simple native stove. Kou 
 kindled a fire of brushwood beneath, and was now 
 seated on a brick, working the bellows, from which air 
 
1 6 Children of Cathay 
 
 was blown to the stove by pulling and pushing 
 a handle. When the water was boiling, the dough- 
 strings were thrown in to cook. Some onions were 
 chopped up fine, some cayenne pods were also prepared, 
 and breakfast was ready. 
 
 Suddenly T'ien Pao came in, clamouring for his 
 food, and was warmly greeted by his mother. She 
 quickly ladled out the steaming macaroni into a large 
 basin, and set it on the table, calling the other 
 members of the family to come. The vegetables 
 were served on little saucers, and there was some 
 vinegar in a cup. The father and sons took their 
 seats on a bench near the table, and Wang Ta-Sao 
 gave them each a portion in a small bowl. Their 
 chopsticks were soon very active, and the food was 
 pushed into their mouths with loud noises expressive 
 of hunger and enjoyment. Little Kou took her 
 share to the doorstep, and Mrs. Wang sat on the 
 k'ang, or mud-bed, which occupied about one-third of 
 the room. 
 
 ' Oh, father ! ' cried T'ien Pao, ' what do you think 
 happened this morning ? Chang the hawker passed 
 with his load, and he stopped and spoke to teacher Li 
 I heard him say that Mr. Liu from F'ang T'swen was 
 in the town doing some business, and meant to call 
 here at noon. What do you think he is coming for ? ' 
 
 This was a somewhat surprising piece of news. 
 Mr. Liu was a friend of the famil, but his home was 
 
HER WAKEFUL NIGHTS WERE TIMES OF HORROR. 
 
 [See jjage 15. 
 
The Home of Little Kou 17 
 
 at some distance, and since the betrothal of his son 
 to little Kou, a year ago, he had not visited their 
 neighbourhood. 
 
 ' For my part,' said Mrs. Wang, ' I have no wish 
 to see him. Since he was here, they tell me he 
 has taken up with those foreigners, and is always 
 making some excuse to visit them. The less we have 
 to do with the foreign devils, the better.' 
 
 ' Nevertheless, you must prepare a good meal for 
 our guest at noon, and see that Kou is tidy. I will 
 walk over to the town and buy some pickles and 
 white bread and sugar, and you can kill a fowl and 
 use some eggs. We must do honour to Kou's 
 father-in-law,' said hospitable Mr. Wang. 
 
 At last T'ien En spoke slowly : ' I like Mr. Liu ; he 
 smiles kindly, and never quarrels.' 
 
 This criticism provoked the laughter of his younger 
 brother; but both were soon driven from the room 
 by the vigorous movements of their mother, who 
 prepared to spend a busy morning in expectation of 
 the visitor. 
 
 The object of his coming was indeed unforeseen, 
 and the proposal he came to make startled them all, 
 and had far-reaching consequences. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 FIRST RAYS OF LIGHT 
 
 rpHE preparations were nearly complete, and Wang 
 -*- Ta-Sao was still bustling about between the stove 
 and the best room, when the hour of noon approached. 
 She had no clock, but watched the shadow on the 
 floor, and when the sun shone straight into the door 
 of the cave-room which faced south, she knew the 
 guest might be expected at any moment. The room 
 had been carefully swept, and the bedding was neatly 
 folded and laid on the k'ang. The straw mats which 
 covered the k'ang were clean and whole. 
 
 Wang Ta-Sao prided herself on her management, 
 and old mats were removed and used in other 
 ways. The best room must be in good order. The 
 only wooden table they possessed was set in the 
 middle of the room, and two chairs were placed beside 
 it, and two benches also. The shelves, formed by 
 hollowing out a part of the mud wall of the cave, 
 were filled with the household crockery, a few 
 common basins and jars, saucers and teacups. The 
 
 18 
 
First Rays of Light 19 
 
 better ones were all in the kitchen, ready to use 
 at the meal. T'ien Pao's school-books were piled on 
 one side. In the dark recesses at the back of the 
 cave two or three corn-bins made of matting 
 contained the year's store of grain. A wooden box 
 held the winter clothes of the family. Wang Ta-Sao's 
 sewing was folded and laid on the k'ang, the needle 
 being stuck into her hair. 
 
 The door of the room stood wide open, admitting 
 the cheerful sunlight. It was very hot, and a heat haze 
 obscured the view of the wide plain. In a corner of 
 the yard stood the little outhouse which served as 
 a kitchen. The stove occupied the greater portion 
 of one side, and a ledge of wood, doing duty for a 
 table, stretched across another. The food was already 
 cooked, and the dishes which must be served hot 
 were placed on a wicker tray over the caldron of 
 boiling water and covered with a sort of huge bee-hive 
 which kept in the steam. Kou's duty was to keep 
 the fire blazing; the smoke came out into the room 
 (for there was no chimney), and the soot mingled with 
 her tears, so that she was indeed a grimy object. 
 
 On the waU above the stove was the picture of 
 the Tsao Yie, or Kitchen God, an ugly figure clad in 
 gorgeous robes. Kou was frightened of the Tsao Yie, 
 for did he not go to heaven at the end of the year 
 and tell all that she had said and done ? Her 
 mother often told her that her wickedness was 
 
20 Children of Cathay 
 
 unbearable, and the demons would certainly catch 
 her some day ; and when the Tsao Yie was burned 
 and sent to heaven, little Kou was afraid to venture 
 out of doors for days lest the devil should be waiting 
 to carry her off and punish her. 
 
 Mrs. Wang's anxiety to provide a worthy feast 
 had caused her to be more irritable than usual, so 
 her poor little daughter had received blows for her 
 clumsiness and hard words in plenty. A dull resent- 
 ment filled her darkened mind, and no ray of hope 
 pierced the gloom. She looked furtively at the 
 heaped-up bowls of food, but dared not touch the 
 dainties, knowing her mother would punish her 
 severely if she stole anything. 
 
 The dog began to bark, and her father rose from 
 the stone on which he had been sitting smoking 
 his pipe, and hurried to the door. Opening it, he 
 cried, ' Friend Liu has come ! Welcome, welcome ! 
 Please enter my humble home.' 
 
 Mr. Liu, smiling and bowing, crossed the threshold, 
 and then exchanged a formal salutation with his host. 
 The two men stood opposite one another and bowed 
 to the ground. Then T'ien En stepped forward and 
 greeted the guest in the same way. He then brought 
 a bench, and the two men sat down and began to 
 chat while he fetched a cup of the weak native tea 
 to refresh the visitor. ' Thank you, thank you,' said 
 Mr. Liu. ' Will you not drink also ? ' 
 
First Rays of Light 21 
 
 When the "others refused, he drained the cup and 
 returned it to T'ien En. 
 
 Meanwhile, Wang Ta-Sao had hastily changed her 
 jacket for a clean one of dark hlue muslin, and Kou's 
 face and hands were hurriedly washed and her 
 tangled hair smoothed. She followed her mother 
 slowly and sullenly. She was hardly curious to see 
 Mr. Liu, for her mother had so often threatened to 
 send her to her mother-in-law's house as a punishment, 
 that she dreaded the thought of seeing any of the 
 family. After greeting Mrs. Wang and presenting 
 his wife's compliments, and a packet of tea as a gift, 
 Mr. Liu turned to little Kou, who was bowing 
 awkwardly, and laid his hand on her shoulder. 
 
 ' Well, my little daughter-in-law,' he said, ' I have 
 something for you too,' and he produced a parcel of 
 cakes, with a red label — a rare treat to the hungry child. 
 
 ' Make your bow. Where are your manners ? ' 
 cried her father, as Kou took the cakes and was about 
 to hurry off with them that she might conceal them 
 from T'ien Pao's greedy fingers. 
 
 ' Don't be frightened,' said Mr. Liu, trying to 
 encourage her. ' My daughter sends you greetings. 
 She is a little older than you, and much taller and 
 stronger. She can run about too. Her feet are not 
 bound.' 
 
 ' Not bound ! ' cried Mr. Wang, while his wife 
 listened in astonishment and horror, ' not bound ! 
 
22 Children of Cathay 
 
 What will you do with a big-footed girl ? Whatever 
 persuaded you to allow such a thing ? ' 
 
 His friend replied, ' She is healthy, strong, and 
 useful. She can walk and run, and works well. She 
 is happy and good-tempered. Is not this sufficient 
 reason ? ' 
 
 ' But you will never be able to marry her well. 
 Who will take her for a daughter-in-law ? ' 
 
 ' She is already engaged to the son of my friend, 
 named Cheng, in the village of Chu Chia. He 
 desired a girl with natural feet for his son, and the 
 boy wished it also.' 
 
 ' Oh, I know Mr. Cheng,' said Mr. Wang. ' But is 
 he not constantly with the foreigners, and has he not 
 become one of the preachers of the foreign religion ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, he preaches the religion of Jesus, and I also 
 have become an inquirer. There is a wonderful book 
 which contains the words of the true God, which we 
 read every day, and in it is written that God created 
 all things, and saw that they were good. Now He 
 made women's feet to grow just like men's feet, and 
 what are we, to seek to change the shape of what He 
 has made ? ' 
 
 This was too much for Mr. Wang to take in all at 
 once, so he merely said, ' Well, well ! The longer one 
 lives the more one hears ! ' 
 
 At this point T'ien En came forward and begged 
 the two men to come to dinner. With many polite 
 
First Rays of Light 23 
 
 remarks on both sides the guest was at last seated in 
 the place of honour, facing the south, and Mr. Wang 
 sat down too. First tea was brought, and poured 
 into the pretty handleless cups which Mrs. Wang 
 prized so much. Before drinking, Liu reverently 
 bowed his head and offered thanks to God. This 
 greatly surprised his friend, but he asked no questions, 
 knowing that he would hear more of the matter later 
 on. 
 
 T'ien En next brought two little saucers of pickles 
 and salad, and after some urging Mr, Liu began to 
 eat, picking out suitable portions with his chopsticks. 
 Between each mouthful the chopsticks were laid down, 
 and the two men exchanged some remarks about the 
 weather and the crops. Mrs. Wang was busy serving 
 the dishes which her sons carried to the table. A 
 bowl of stewed chicken, chopped up small, and another 
 of vegetables, followed. When this had been tasted, 
 a bowl of scrambled eggs with onions, and another 
 of meat-balls were added. Two more saucers, one 
 containing seaweed and the other sweetmeats, 
 completed the array, and as soon as the dishes were 
 neatly arranged in the centre of the table, T'ien Pao 
 brought a tray of little steamed loaves, and placed 
 them beside the two men. 
 
 The boys withdrew to the kitchen, where they 
 feasted on the scraps with their mother and sister. The 
 minds of all were full of the strange things they had 
 
24 Children of Cathay 
 
 heard. T'ien Pao, never afraid to air his opinions, 
 said he did not believe in the foreigners' religion, for 
 they drank the blood of children and used their eyes 
 for medicine ; and if Mr. Liu was such a man, it was a 
 bad thing to be connected with the family. 
 
 Mrs. Wang hushed him quickly, lest his words 
 should be heard in the guest-room, but she felt much 
 as he did, and was grumbling and muttering under her 
 breath. 
 
 T'ien En thought that what Liu had said about his 
 own little daughter did not sound cruel and wicked, 
 and if God really cared for women, and made their 
 feet large, why, he saw no reason why they should 
 be bound. But he was afraid of his brother's sharp 
 tongue, and was silent. 
 
 As far as Kou thought at all, she felt grateful for 
 the guest's kindly words, and especially for the cakes, 
 which were hidden under a pile of stalks till she 
 could find a safer place. But pain and neglect had 
 so crushed her that her mind moved very slowly. 
 
 T'ien Pao ran off to school, and when the meal was 
 over, T'ien En cleared away the dishes and wiped the 
 table with his cloth. The two men continued their 
 talk, and gradually the former subject was referred to. 
 
 ' After all, friend Liu, what do the foreigners come 
 for ? Is it to trade, or to seize our land, or to practise 
 witchcraft ? ' 
 
 ' For none of these things, friend Wang, but only 
 
First Rays of Light 25 
 
 because they have received glad tidings, which they 
 wish us also to hear. The Heavenly Father has 
 spoken to them by His Son, who commanded His 
 followers to tell all the world.' 
 
 ' Dear me ! ' said Mr. Wang. ' Do you mean to say 
 that the Heavenly Father actually spoke to men ? ' 
 
 ' Yes,' replied his friend. ' He sent His Son to 
 earth, and He lived with men and talked with them. 
 His words are written in a holy book, and the story 
 of His life, so that men may know how good He 
 was.' 
 
 ' Ah, yes ; just like Confucius, no doubt. His 
 disciples carefully wrote out his doctrines, and handed 
 them down to us.' 
 
 ' But there is this great difference,' said Mr. Liu : 
 ' Confucius was a man only, and Jesus was the Son of 
 God. Confucius teaches us fine moral sayings, and 
 exhorts us to keep in the right way, but he never 
 tells us how to escape from sin. Now Jesus pitied us 
 because we were sinners, and came to show us how to 
 escape from our sins.' 
 
 ' Ah, well ! Truly your words are new and strange. 
 What method must be used to escape from sin ? ' 
 
 ' The Heavenly Father is holy, and hates sin. His 
 Son was pure and good, and did no sin, yet because 
 we were helpless He bore our sins, and was put to 
 death for us, so that if we trust Him, we may escape 
 from punishment and hell.' 
 
26 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Whoever heard of the gods caring for men like 
 that ? ' said Mr. Wang. ' The foreigners want us to 
 believe a great deal ! Yet if their religion is like this, 
 surely their practices are not so, for I hear much of 
 their kidnapping children and practising incantations, 
 and some say that their presence has caused the 
 drought.' 
 
 ' Oh no, that is not true,' replied his friend. ' The 
 foreigners are greatly distressed if we suffer, and 
 during the last famine they distributed relief to 
 thousands. It is true that they gather children 
 together into schools, but always with the parents' 
 consent ; and they teach girls as well as boys to read 
 and write. As for practising incantations, they meet 
 for worship in broad daylight, and anyone may come 
 in and look and listen. They read in the Holy Book, 
 and pray to God, and sing praise-songs, and explain 
 the doctrine. All is very orderly and quiet, I can 
 assure you.' 
 
 ' But I have heard,' said Mr. Wang, ' that they 
 encourage men and women to meet together at these 
 times, regardless of etiquette and modesty. Surely 
 this is very shocking ! ' 
 
 'You have not heard the whole,' replied Mr. Liu 
 ' It is true that men and women attend the services, 
 but there is a curtain dividing the women from the 
 men, and all is quiet and free from blame. But it is 
 of the school I chiefly wish to speak. An English 
 
First Rays of Light 27 
 
 lady of great wisdom andykindness is about to open 
 a school in a town near us, if there are enough 
 scholars. My daughter is going; she has already 
 been under instruction, and I wish Kou to come too. 
 I want my son's wife to be able to read, and to have 
 some understanding. After the autumn harvest, the 
 school will commence, so there are still two months 
 to prepare. I hope you are quite willing ? ' 
 
 Mr. Wang was speechless for a moment. Kou 
 going to school ! Kou to learn to read ! What 
 would T'ien Pao say, and what of his wife ? At last 
 he recovered himself sufficiently to make some polite 
 answer of a strictly non-committal nature, and after 
 taking leave of the family, the guest went his way. 
 His short visit left a storm behind. 
 
CHAPTEE III 
 
 THE FAIK BY THE TEMPLE 
 
 "ITTHEN Mr. Wang returned from escorting his 
 ' ' guest a little way on his journey, he took 
 a circuitous route, as he wished to think over 
 matters quietly before meeting his wife. He knew 
 that any proposal coming from Mr. Liu would not 
 be received graciously by her, and such a one as 
 this must be presented very carefully to avert her 
 opposition. 
 
 As Mr. Wang walked thoughtfully along through the 
 fields, he pondered, over the subject. The ground had 
 been ploughed since the wheat had been reaped, and 
 a second crop of different grain was springing up. So 
 fertile is the soil of Northern China that two crops, 
 and sometimes even three, may be reaped in one year. 
 The green shoots of maize were looking parched for 
 want of water. The cotton had hardly sprung up 
 at all. Millet and buckwheat and sorghum alike 
 were thirsty for the life-giving rain. 
 
 Footpaths alone divided the property of one man 
 
 28 
 
The Fair by the Temple 29 
 
 and his neighbour. No hedges varied the scene, 
 and the trees were few and far between. Little 
 groups of graves were dotted over the plain, each 
 with its grove of fir trees. The land for a little space 
 around each was left untilled, for fear of disturbing 
 the spirits of the departed. In some cases a number 
 of stone animals could be seen, half-buried and much 
 mutilated, guarding the tombs. Two sheep with huge 
 curly horns, two horses with very square legs, or two 
 lions with fierce half-opened mouths, were set on 
 either side of the path leading to the grave. 
 
 A little temple beside the road made a bright spot 
 of colour in the landscape. The beams of the roof 
 were gaily painted in bright colours, and the door-posts 
 and lintel were scarlet. Opposite the entrance was 
 a great bronze bell hanging from a rude support 
 which had been erected beside the road. Within the 
 shrine all was desolate. Several idols, made of mud 
 and gaily decorated, were seated upon the little raised 
 platform, but they were broken and crumbhng. A 
 little heap of straw and some ashes showed where a 
 beggar had rested the previous night, and had cooked 
 his evening meal. No priest, no worshippers, no 
 offerings were there, only the scowling idols left alone 
 in their desolate temple. 
 
 At last Mr. Wang was cheered by a happy thought. 
 
 ' Of course, friend Liu will pay for her schooling, so 
 we shall not have the expense of keeping her at 
 
30 Children of Cathay 
 
 home; and when Kou is gone we can get Li-Hwa 
 
 home for a visit, and that will make her mother more 
 
 reasonable.' 
 
 He turned homeward, and as he began to ascend 
 
 the hill, he was met by T'ien En. 
 
 ' Where are you going ? ' he asked. 
 
 ' Oh, my mother was very angry with Kou,' he 
 replied, ' and began to beat her, and when I tried to 
 interfere she drove me out of the yard and bolted the 
 door; so I thought I would stay in the village till 
 things were quieter.' 
 
 Mr. Wang philosophically sat down on a mill-stone 
 and filled his pipe. 
 
 ' Ah, my son, beware of an angry woman. An evil 
 spirit possesses her and speaks through her lips. What 
 is said in anger is of no consequence. Women are 
 not like men, who can control their feelings. Be 
 thankful you were born a man.' 
 
 The boy listened in silence, and then said, ' Father, 
 do you believe what Mr. Liu said about the gods 
 coming to earth and caring for us ? Did you ever 
 hear of it before ? ' 
 
 His father answered, ' I think I heard once a story 
 about a great hero who was taken up to heaven. But 
 it is a long time since. I was at school, and the priests 
 here are not like those in my native place. They 
 used to tell long stories, lasting for hours, about the 
 gods and demons. But there will be a fair next 
 
The Fair by the Temple 31 
 
 month by the temple on the hill, and perhaps you will 
 hear something there.' 
 
 T'ien En's eyes brightened. 'Will there be 
 theatricals and sweet-stalls and peep-shows ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, yes, doubtless. I only hope the crowd will 
 not trample on my crops as they pass.' 
 
 Meanwhile, in the home, Mrs. Wang had been 
 wreaking her displeasure on poor little Kou, who had 
 been discovered stealing some of the dainties left over 
 from the feast. The work of preparation and cooking 
 had been tiring, Mr. Liu's words to Kou had irritated 
 her mother, and now her temper, uncontrolled at all 
 times, burst forth in fury. Seizing her child by the 
 hair, she dragged her screaming across the yard, and 
 pulling out a ragged stick from a heap of brushwood, 
 began to beat her unmercifully. It was then that 
 T'ien En interfered, and was ejected from the premises. 
 Kou tried in vain to escape. She was cruelly beaten, 
 and not till her mother was exhausted was she allowed 
 to creep, bruised and bleeding, into a corner of the 
 shed where the patient donkey was tethered. 
 
 StiU muttering imprecations, Mrs. Wang went into 
 the house. Smoothing her hair and readjusting her 
 jacket, she took up some sewing and went out of the 
 yard to visit a neighbour, loosing the dog to keep 
 guard during her absence. She found a group of 
 women sitting on a threshing-floor in the shadow of 
 a tree. They greeted her noisily. 
 
32 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Have you heard the news, Wang Ta-Sao ? ' 
 
 ' What news, my sisters ? I have been working all 
 day till I am nearly dead.' 
 
 ' Oh, Mrs. An has a new baby.' 
 
 ' Eeally ? Let us go and see it.' 
 
 ' It is only a girl, sister. Such a misfortune ! The 
 first-born, too ! I shouldn't wonder if the gods had 
 sent it as a punishment for some sin. What has she 
 done, do you think ? ' 
 
 ' Who knows the reason ? Let us go and see her.' 
 
 They went together to a little house in the village, 
 where An the carpenter lived. The courtyard was 
 full of women, whispering together ; some children 
 were romping about while their mothers gossiped, 
 and one was crying loudly. Inside the close, dark 
 room a group of women were standing beside the hard 
 mud-bed, where the poor mother was sitting, propped 
 up with baskets, clothes, and other things, custom 
 forbidding her to lie down. Her hair was loosened 
 and fell over her face, mingling with her tears, as she 
 wailed aloud, ' Oh, what misfortune ! What bad luck ! ' 
 The tiny infant, but a few hours old, lay beside her, 
 wrapped in an old blue cotton garment, unnoticed, 
 uncared-for. 
 
 ' Perhaps it won't live,' said one woman cheerfully. 
 ' You must go to the Goddess of Mercy, and pray that 
 the next child may be a son, Mrs. An.' 
 
 ' Have I not prayed ? ' she cried. ' Did I not go time 
 
The Fair by the Temple 33 
 
 after time, and give money to the priest, and burn 
 incense and paper money before the shrine ? Where 
 is my boy, that I hoped for ? The gods have mocked 
 me, and sent me this worthless thing.' 
 
 ' Who will tell her husband ? ' said one woman. ' He 
 is working in the town this month, and will not 
 return till the fifteenth.' 
 
 ' He will be angry,' sobbed his wife. ' He will say 
 I have taken away his face. I wish I might die.' 
 
 At last one elderly woman pushed her way through 
 the throng. 
 
 ' Tou toill die, if you weep so, my sister. You have 
 a daughter. Of what use is it to regret it now ? 
 Take the child and care for it, and hope for a son 
 next time. Perhaps she will be a comfort to you 
 after all.' 
 
 The young mother refused to be consoled. 
 
 ' Who would wish for a daughter ? She will have 
 to bear what I have borne, she will be wretched aU 
 her life, and if she is a comfort to me she will be 
 taken away to her husband's house just as she is 
 beginning to be useful.' 
 
 The kindly neighbour now brought a basin of warm 
 drink and gave it her gently, talking quietly but 
 cheerfully, and trying to awaken some love in the 
 mother's heart. 
 
 At last the patient fell into a light sleep, and the 
 crowd dispersed, making comments on the strange 
 
 3 
 
34 Children of Cathay 
 
 behaviour of Mother Si, as the old woman was 
 called. 
 
 ' Everyone knows that she has no son, only two 
 daughters, so she is left alone in her old age,' they 
 said. 
 
 But owing to her kindly offices, the little life was 
 saved, and the mother also recovered, and was about 
 her work in a few days' time. 
 
 This little incident happened to divert Mrs. Wang's 
 mind from Kou's misdeeds, and when she asked her 
 husband what was the object of Mr. Liu's visit, she 
 was satisfied with the reply that he had come to 
 propose that Kou should pay a visit to his house 
 after the autumn harvest. 
 
 ' Well, the man has queer notions, but Kou belongs 
 to him now, and if she is at home to help with the 
 cotton-picking, I don't care what happens to her 
 afterwards,' was all the reply she made. 
 
 The fair to which T'ien En was looking forward 
 was held the following month. It was on the 
 occasion of a great idol festival, and a theatrical 
 entertainment had been arranged to give pleasure to 
 the gods. A deep gully cleft the low hills about 
 three miles from Mr. Wang's village, and on one side 
 of the mouth of the ravine, on the hillside, a temple 
 stood. Opposite to it, across the gully, an open stage 
 was built, and on this the play was to be performed. 
 At early dawn on the appointed day the stream of 
 
The Fair by the Temple 35 
 
 merchants and sight-seers began their journey to the 
 spot. The venders of food set up their portable 
 stores under rude shelters, and prepared to supply 
 bowls of hot porridge and thin broth at ridiculously 
 low prices. Potters came from the north, with glazed 
 cups and bowls, earthen jars and pots and pans, tea- 
 pots and great ' wengs,' or water-pots. Basket-makers 
 wended their way thither with the brushes and 
 besoms, crates, and baskets of every sort and size, 
 which they had been making for months past. A 
 juggler, with his performing dog and monkey, appeared 
 on the scene ; fortune-tellers and doctors took up 
 prominent positions ; and the winding path leading to 
 the temple was soon crowded with an eager multitude. 
 Men brought their wives and children to the foot of 
 the hills in carts, and then assisted the stumbling 
 steps to climb the steep hillside, till a position just 
 below the temple was gained, and the women sat 
 down on the ground, looking towards the stage. 
 
 When the play commenced, a dense multitude of 
 spectators had assembled, the women sitting in the 
 centre, and the men standing at the sides, or sitting 
 on the temple steps. A loud and noisy band played, 
 the musicians performing on drums, cymbals, gongs, 
 and pipes. The actors sang in a high falsetto, but 
 no words could be distinguished, the incidents of the 
 play being acted with elaborate gestures. Marvellous 
 costumes of brilliant silk and embroideries adorned 
 
36 Children of Cathay 
 
 the actors, false hair and beards disguised their faces. 
 A king was seen, seated in state upon his throne, 
 surrounded by all his officers and attendants, hearing 
 two disputants plead a cause before him. One called 
 heaven and earth to witness ; lightnings flashed, 
 thunders pealed, his opponent fell to the ground, 
 and the court broke up, passing out in a long and 
 stately procession. Without a pause another scene 
 was acted, and two combatants appeared in mortal 
 strife. The story was evidently well known to some 
 of the men, who were explaining it to those around 
 them ; but for the most part the people were satisfied 
 to watch the antics of the actors, and roared with 
 laughter at any clever piece of buffoonery. 
 
 Wang Ta-Sao had soon tired of the show, and made 
 her way to the fair, where, with some of her cronies, 
 she employed the time in driving hard bargains with 
 the hawkers, and indulging in the gossip of the 
 neighbourhood. 
 
 Mr. Wang with his sons stood watching the 
 theatricals. T'ien Pao was delighted with the show, 
 and loudly expressed his sympathies with the fighters. 
 When one tripped up his opponent, and so won the 
 victory, he shouted applause and hissed the dead man, 
 who had to get up and run off the stage, to appear 
 again instantly in another character. T'ien En 
 watched quietly, his slow mind still dwelling on the 
 thoughts aroused by Mr. Liu's words, hoping to see or 
 
The Fair by the Temple 37 
 
 hear something of the great Father who watched over 
 men and cared for them. But he heard only the 
 thunders which overwhelmed the victims, and saw 
 only the struggle between the strong and the weak, 
 and the empty shows of justice without its power ; 
 and at last he asked : ' Father, didn't you say that 
 we should find out something at the fair, which would 
 explain Mr. Liu's words ? ' 
 
 Mr. Wang was placidly smoking his pipe as he 
 gazed at the stage. He had almost forgotten his 
 visitor's remarks, and thought for a moment before 
 replying. 
 
 ' There are many things in the fair besides the 
 play,' he said. ' Perhaps, my son, you will hear some- 
 thing elsewhere ; take these cash for your food, and 
 meet us at the cart when the sun touches the top 
 of yonder tree.' 
 
 T'ien En took the money and slipped away. He 
 joined a circle of people who were listening to the 
 exhortations of a quack doctor, who was talking of 
 the orifices of the heart and the six pulses, of the 
 diagnoses of different diseases, and the three spirits of 
 men. The boy listened eagerly until the man ended 
 by extolling the virtues of the pills he wished to sell, 
 and then a blank disappointment overwhelmed him. 
 After all, he was only a merchant ! He next made 
 his way to a stall where some rolls of steamed bread 
 were sold, and there he made a meal. He did not 
 
38 Children of Cathay 
 
 spend his cash on any of the dainty dishes, because he 
 thought of Kou, and wanted to take her a ' fairing.' 
 
 While he was eating, he heard two men talking, 
 and caught some words which aroused his eager 
 interest. Surely, he thought, they must have heard 
 the story that Mr. Liu had told, and he listened until 
 he found out that it was a man selling books who had 
 told them the strange things they had been discussing. 
 T'ien En hastily finished his food, and hurried off 
 through the crowd to find the colporteur. After 
 some search he found him, sitting under a leafy tree 
 upon a bank, with his books in bright paper covers 
 displayed on a box, and a little group of people 
 listening as he told his story. Just as T'ien En 
 came up, he stopped and left his box in the care of 
 a boy about T'ien En's age, and went to get some 
 refreshment. The people began to disperse, but the 
 lad began to sing, and the strange new tune attracted 
 them, so they lingered to hear the hymn ' Jesus who 
 lived above the sky,' sung in Chinese by this young 
 Christian lad. One or two bought books and went 
 away, but T'ien En still hovered around, drawn to the 
 stranger's bright face, but too shy to speak. The lad 
 broke the ice. 
 
 ' Have you seen our pictures ? ' he said, 
 T'ien En was delighted to see him draw out a 
 roll of illustrations of the gospel story, and his new 
 friend began to explain them to him. One or two 
 
The Fair by the Temple 39 
 
 children joined the group and heard the wonderful 
 story of the Saviour's birth, His lowly life and many 
 wanderings, the faithful few who left all to follow 
 Him, and at last the treachery and cruel death. T'ien 
 En listened spellbound, and when the last picture 
 showed the Ascension of the Eisen Lord, he exclaimed 
 rapturously, ' Then He must be a God. Is He the 
 one who cares for men and watches over them ? ' 
 
 ' Yes,' said his friend. ' It was His great love for 
 men that made Him come down to earth at first, and 
 now that He has returned to heaven. He still watches 
 over us. Would you like to have the story in a book ? 
 You can buy one for ten cash.' 
 
 So T'ien En bought a copy of Matthew's Gospel, 
 and determined to persevere until he could read for 
 himself the marvellous tale he had heard. 
 
 Soon afterwards the family assembled to return 
 home, each full of the day's doings, and all too busy 
 to ask one another questions. T'ien En had spent his 
 last five cash in buying a stick of candy for Kou, 
 
CHAPTEE IV 
 
 DAILY LIFE IN TUNG AN 
 
 TT was supper-time in the little mission compound, 
 -*- and the tired workers hailed its approach with 
 J07. The long hot day was over ; the anxious plan- 
 ning and the weary teaching, the need of patience 
 with refractory servants, and the many interruptions, 
 from all these sunset brought release, and relaxation, 
 and rest. It was a tiny company who gathered round 
 the simple meal — only two sisters who represented 
 the army of Christ in that far-off corner of the field. 
 Eva Martin had been at work for four years as a 
 medical missionary before she was joined by her sister 
 Agnes. After two years of study and experience 
 gained in a huge crowded city, Agnes was able to 
 organise and teach a school for girls which was much 
 needed in a neighbouring town, so the two sisters 
 were asked to ' hold the fort ' at the little mission- 
 house in Tung An, with the aid of a native evangelist. 
 Gladly they went forth to the outpost, the first 
 
 European women who had ever been seen in the town. 
 
 10 
 
Daily Life in Tung An 41 
 
 In the city the mission band was larger, and the work 
 was of long standing. A hospital and school for 
 boys had been. established for some time, there were 
 regular services on Sunday, and a little native 
 church had grown up as a first-fruits of labour in 
 that district. The narrow lanes and crowded streets 
 of the city had a firm hold on the hearts of the 
 sisters, and they would never forget the stories they 
 had heard in the dark back rooms of some houses, nor 
 the suffering they had witnessed, nor the gratitude 
 for the relief they had brought. But the constraint 
 of city Hfe had told upon their health. The 
 impossibility of freedom to move about as they 
 pleased, the constant endeavour to keep within the 
 irksome limits of Chinese etiquette, the close journeys 
 in sedan chairs to visit patients when they would 
 have preferred to walk, and the lack of fresh air and 
 exercise, were very trying to English girls. In the 
 little country town many of these precautions might 
 be relaxed, though much care is always needed in 
 pioneer work in a fresh district. 
 
 The little family at Tung An was a very happy 
 one. The old evangelist Wu and his wife lived on the 
 premises. Mrs. Wu acted as chaperone, and received 
 women guests when the missionaries were busy. Her 
 widowed daughter-in-law waited on the ladies and did 
 their sewing. She was called Wu Mei-mei, or ' sister.' 
 A cook and table-boy completed the number, Agnes's 
 
42 Children of Cathay 
 
 teacher coming in every day, as his home was in the 
 town. 
 
 For ahout three months the new life had been 
 entered upon, and already the girls felt that their 
 presence in the town had borne some fruit. The 
 dislike and avoidance shown at first had changed to 
 curiosity, and sometimes crowds of visitors came to 
 them. While Mr. Wu received and entertained the 
 men in the front hall, the women would be led to the 
 bact of the house and there would meet the ladies. 
 Several opium cases had been visited by Eva, and the 
 remedies had saved the lives of the poor victims. 
 A Sunday morning meeting was begun, aiid though 
 many dropped in from curiosity to see what was 
 going on, yet there were a few regular attenders who 
 seemed really interested. 
 
 To-night the subject of discussion was the 
 establishment of a school for girls. 
 
 ' Oh dear ! ' sighed Agnes, as she took her seat 
 opposite the inevitable dish of eggs, ' do you think 
 I shall ever be able to do anything with such children 
 as we saw to-day ? That child in the shoemaker's 
 home looked hardly intelligent, and we could not get 
 her to speak; and then in the other house the girl 
 was like a wild animal as she kicked and screamed 
 with fury.' 
 
 Eva smiled as she began to make tea. ' You are 
 tired and depressed, Agnes,' she answered, ' and you 
 
Daily Life in Tung An 43 
 
 have not seen quite as much of Chinese life as I have. 
 You know the girls are supposed to have no minds, 
 and to be evil by nature ; and as they are told this 
 from infancy, what can you expect ? See what 
 Christianity has done for Wu Mei-mei. Though 
 she is still very ignorant, she is trying hard to learn, 
 and her mother-in-law is always rejoicing over the 
 improvement in her temper.' 
 
 ' Well, may I help you to a little of this charming 
 concoction ? I wonder what Chung T'ing has been 
 doing to-day to deceive us into the belief that we are 
 not eating eggs.' 
 
 ' Oh,' said Eva, ' Chung T'ing is very proud of that 
 dish. Those little rolls are pancakes, and inside you 
 will find chopped meat. It's really very nice, but I 
 hope he hasn't sprinkled sugar over them, as he did 
 once before.' 
 
 The pancakes proved to be a success, and the girls 
 were able to satisfy the cook, whose smiling face, 
 streaming with perspiration, appeared at the little 
 opening which led to the kitchen, by saying, ' Good, 
 cook ; very good ! ' 
 
 'Just look!' said Agnes, in a horrified whisper. 
 ' Ch'in Si is wiping a plate with his own face-cloth. I 
 do think it is dreadful of him. We really can't keep 
 him if he does such horrid things.' 
 
 ' Poor boy, he doesn't know any better,' said Eva. 
 ' I told him all about the kitchen cloths, and how to 
 
44 Children of Cathay 
 
 use them; but he evidently thinks one sufficient for 
 everything, and his own face-cloth as good as my tea- 
 cloths. Eemember he has only been with us a fortnight, 
 and he seems honest and good-tempered, which is 
 something to be thankful for, when you remember 
 what we lost while the last boy was here.' 
 
 ' Well, your patience seems inexhaustible, Eva. I'm 
 always wondering how you manage. No one would 
 think that the Chinese are so trying, to hear you 
 talk.' 
 
 ' What do you think happened in the dispensary to- 
 day ? ' said Eva. ' An old man came, complaining that 
 he was no better. I asked him if he had taken the 
 medicine I gave him, and he said he had rubbed it on 
 his chest, because the last time he had consulted a 
 doctor, he had to rub on the medicine. I had told 
 him exactly how to take it, but he persisted in repeat- 
 ing, " Previously I rubbed it on, and got better ; now 
 I rub it on, and don't get better; I want a change of 
 medicine." So I had to give him two bottles, telling 
 him he might rub one on, if he would drink the 
 other ; and he went away happy.' 
 
 ' I've been talking to my teacher to-day,' said Agnes, 
 ' and he thinks there would be no difficulty in hiring 
 the yard adjoining this one. Then we could have a 
 door made between, and the girls (if they come) could 
 live there in seclusion. But it will be a responsibility ! 
 I could never face it if you were not at hand to look 
 
Daily Life in Tung An 45 
 
 after their ailments, and advise me. I should be 
 doing some mad thing, I know, if left to my own 
 devices.' 
 
 ' At least you have got beyond the stage attained 
 by some of our friends at home, who think we teach 
 our girls first of all to wear Enghsh clothes, read 
 English books, and play the piano,' said Eva. 
 
 ' Who would fetter the Chinese with horrid close- 
 fitting garments, when they can wear delightful loose 
 jackets like this,' said Agnes, stretching out her arms, 
 which were covered with sleeves a yard roimd at the 
 wrist. ' I told Mrs. Lament when I last wrote that 
 the only measure my tailor wanted when making a 
 jacket was the size of my neck, as that was the only 
 place it touched me. Fancy her astonishment ! 
 Poor woman ! think of the hours she spends at her 
 dressmaker's being fitted.' 
 
 ' When the girls' school is opened, we must increase 
 our staff,' said practical Eva. ' We must have a trust- 
 worthy woman to cook for them and keep the gate, 
 and a good teacher as well. That will be a difficulty. 
 I think we must write to Mrs. Davis and ask her if 
 she can send us one of her Christian wxjmen.' 
 
 ' Oh, it would be nice if we could have Chang Mei- 
 mei. Do you think her husband would let her come, 
 Eva? She could bring her baby, and Wu Mei-mei 
 would help her to look after it ; and the elder child 
 could be one of the scholars, though she is only five.' 
 
46 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Yes, if she could come it would be very nice. She 
 is refusing to bind her little girl's feet, and so is 
 getting into trouble at home ; but her husband upholds 
 her, so her mother-in-law is making her life a hard 
 one.' 
 
 Just then Ch'in Si came in with a small packet, 
 saying, ' The postman has come.' 
 
 The girls sprang up and seized the parcel. 
 
 ' Why, he is a day earlier than usual,' said Agnes. 
 * What a good thing we sent off our letters yesterday ; 
 they would just catch the return mail messenger,' 
 
 These precious little bits of paper, how they are 
 welcomed in far-off lands ! When weary and dis- 
 couraged, good news from a far country cheers and 
 restores the spirit of the tired worker ; when things 
 go wrong and trouble arises, the assurances from 
 loving hearts at home that they are pleading at the 
 throne of grace bring back faith and trust in the 
 love of the Eternal Father. News of the doings of 
 the mighty world lifts out of the rut and gives one a 
 wider view ; items of interest from the home-circle 
 warm the heart and conjure up visions of the familiar 
 rooms. If friends only knew, they would not grudge 
 the time spent in writing letters to the missionary in 
 the field, for so they may have a share in strengthening 
 the hands of the Master's labourers. 
 
 ' Here is one from mother to us both, and another 
 for you and one for me,' cried Agnes, who had hastily 
 
Daily Life in Tung An 47 
 
 cut the string and torn off the wrappers, ' and three 
 weekly papers, including a medical paper, and some 
 advertisements of course ; and oh, how jolly ! here's a 
 new book from Dick. Isn't he a love ? I've been 
 pining for some literature.' 
 
 Eva was hardly less excited as she gathered up her 
 share, but she called Ch'in Si to clear the table, and 
 said, ' I will write to Mrs. Davis this evening, for the 
 postman will want to start at dawn. Is there any- 
 thing you want to say, dear ? ' 
 
 Agnes looked up from her letter. ' Oh, I will put 
 in a note to the children. Dear mites, I do miss 
 them. Their mixture of Chinese and English was so 
 funny, and they helped me so much when I first 
 came. So don't seal your letter till I bring you 
 mine.' 
 
 Eva sat down at her desk to write to Mrs. Davis, 
 who was the wife of the senior missionary in the city 
 mission-house. She was a woman of great experience 
 and beautiful character, and had been a pillar of 
 strength to Eva many a time. The care of her two 
 little children, in addition to the work amongst the 
 city women, occupied her very fully, yet she was 
 always at leisure to advise or cheer the younger 
 members of the mission band. Eva knew that in 
 writing to her she was assured of a sympathetic reader, 
 and hoped that Mrs. Davis would be able to help 
 them in starting the new school by sending the 
 
48 Children of Cathay 
 
 earnest young woman named Chang Mei-mei, to be a 
 teacher. Mrs. Davis had paid special attention to the 
 work of training a few of the brighter young women 
 to act as Bible-women. They had learned to read, 
 though with much difficulty, could repeat a simple 
 catechism by heart, and could also sing some Chinese 
 hymns, which had been translated by Mr. Davis. 
 Chang Mei-mei was one of the most proficient of 
 these women, but was much hindered in her Christian 
 work by the opposition of her mother-in-law. As 
 there were other married sons at home, Eva hoped 
 that no objection would be raised to the proposed plan. 
 She knew that the fact of the girl's earning a salary 
 would have weight with her husband's people, and 
 she hoped that happier days were in store for Chang 
 Mei-mei, and a wider sphere of usefulness. 
 
 Agnes meanwhile had printed a letter in large type 
 for little Jamie, and drawn a picture of a sedan 
 chair for Harold. She brought them in, and the 
 packet was carefully tied up and sealed, Mr. Wu 
 addressing the wrapper in Chinese. He took it out 
 to the postman, who was enjoying a hot supper, and 
 he tied it in the cloth which served him as a waist- 
 belt. After a few hours' sound sleep he started off in 
 the darkness for his walk of thirty miles to the city, 
 which he reached just before the gates were closed at 
 sunset next day. 
 
 The girls spent the evening in reading letters and 
 
Daily Life in Tung An 49 
 
 newspapers, Eva steadily settling down to finish one 
 at a time ; but Agnes flitted from one to another, 
 catching up a letter to comment on some piece of 
 news, and then dipping into her book, a present from 
 her favourite brother Dick. 
 
 Eva was some five years older than her sister, and 
 was plain and rather dark. Agnes was full of life 
 and vivacity, but was subject to moods of depression 
 which caused her sister some anxiety. The climate 
 of North China is very trying to the nervous system, 
 and Eva feared that Agnes might overtax her strength 
 while exhilarated by the bracing air, and then perhaps 
 might break down after the strain. So she used all 
 her influence to prevent paroxysms of work, but tried 
 to keep Agnes to a steady, regular course of study and 
 mission-work, which was already having a good effect 
 on the girl. 
 
 The attachment between the sisters was beautiful 
 to see, Agnes looking up to Eva and depending on her 
 judgment, and Eva admiring her sister's pretty ways 
 and sparkling humour. This work, side by side in the 
 mission field, had been their lifelong dream, and both 
 were happy and content though so far from home and 
 kindred. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 THE HOLIDAY IN A TEMPEE 
 
 rriHAT summer was a very hot and trying one. As 
 -*- the weeks wore on, the heat became almost 
 unbearable to the dwellers in the towns and cities. 
 Cases of fever and sunstroke were frequent, and even 
 the hardy Chinese were fain to use umbrellas and 
 sun-hats when out of doors at midday. The health 
 of the missionaries began to flag, and it seemed 
 imperative that some change should be sought. 
 
 While itinerating Mr. Davis had found a beauti- 
 fully situated temple on a high hill; it was roomy 
 and clean, and almost deserted. The two priests 
 who lived there, and gained a scanty subsistence 
 by cultivating a little garden, were glad to eke 
 out their means of livelihood by letting the spare 
 rooms of the temple as a summer residence. Wor- 
 shippers rarely came, and the ancient glory of the 
 temple had departed. They had a legend that the 
 temple had been built hundreds of years ago, when 
 the capital of China was a city not far off upon the 
 
 60 
 
The Holiday in a Temple 51 
 
 plain. Then an emperor came to worship with all 
 his train ; the courts were filled with priests, and 
 wealth and favour abounded. But in the course of 
 years the dynasty was overthrown, the new court was 
 assembled in a distant province, misfortune fell on the 
 once favoured district, and poverty and neglect was 
 the lot of the stately shrine. All the valuable jewels 
 and precious treasure had long since been removed. 
 Only the wonderful carvings and still vivid paintings 
 on the wall remained to testify to former greatness. 
 
 The stately pageantry of solemn rites had given 
 place to fitful performance of perfunctory duties 
 when a special feast-day attracted a few of the 
 scattered peasant-folk to its shrine. The priests were 
 two good-natured, simple-minded men, who had been 
 dedicated to the priesthood because their parents 
 were too poor to bring them up. From the life of 
 wandering mendicants they had risen to the position 
 of caretakers of the old temple on the hills, and were 
 perfectly content with their lot. Food and clothing 
 were provided by their crops of wheat, vegetables, and 
 cotton; occasional fees were paid to them for offici- 
 ating at wedding or funeral rites; and by making 
 aud selling baskets and brooms, enough money was 
 obtained to satisfy their simple wants. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Davis, with their two children, had 
 already taken possession of this curious holiday resort, 
 aud were expecting Mrs. Olafsen, a young Swedish 
 
52 Children of Cathay 
 
 lady, with her little baby girl, to join them soon. 
 They sent a hearty invitation to Eva and Agnes 
 Martin to escape from the stifling plain and gain 
 health and strength for future work. The two girls 
 were discussing the matter, and wondering what would 
 be the right course to take. 
 
 ' We did not mean to leave Tung An so soon after 
 settling here, even for a short time,' said Eva, ' but 
 really this weather was quite unexpected; I thought 
 we should find the summer less trying here than in 
 the town. Then you have certainly flagged a little 
 this month, and though you have tried to hide it, I 
 have noticed your pale face and listless manner. I 
 think we must go for just a. short visit.' 
 
 'Well, if my health is to be the excuse, if one is 
 needed, so be it,' laughed Agnes. ' You must have a 
 change, anyway, for the responsibility of opening this 
 station has fallen heavily on you, and I fear it may 
 get on your nerves, and then think how we should all 
 suffer ! For the sake of us all, let us go to the hills 
 for a couple of weeks.' 
 
 ' Well, if that is settled, who shall go with us, and 
 how shall we leave the compound ? ' said Eva, turning 
 at once to the question of ways and means. ' I think 
 Wu Mei-mei and the cook must come, and the boy can 
 go to his home for a holiday. We can lock up the 
 back yards and our rooms, and leave Mr. and Mrs. 
 Wu as caretakers in the front yard. I have no 
 
The Holiday in a Temple 53 
 
 serious cases just now, and Mr. Wu will entertain any 
 visitors who may drop in, though very few will come 
 during the heat.' 
 
 So, two or three days later, they set out on their 
 short journey. Eva and Agnes rode in sedan chairs, 
 borne by three coolies each ; Wu Mei-mei rode on a 
 donkey, clasping her bundle of luggage ; the bridle 
 was held by the cook, who trudged along cheerfully 
 beside her. A baggage mule carried bedding, pro- 
 visions, and luggage for the ladies ; for travellers in 
 China need to be provided against all emergencies. 
 
 The easy swing of the sedan chairs and the curious 
 cries of the bearers, the odd little incidents of the 
 journey and the funny wayside meals, were a pleasant 
 change from the somewhat monotonous and humdrum 
 life in the mission compound. At the end of the 
 first day's journey they reached the city and went to 
 the mission-house, where the servants had prepared a 
 room for them, though the family were away. Very 
 early next morning they set out again, and soon 
 began to ascend. After mounting a gentle slope, a 
 rocky pathway confronted them, and their coolies 
 began to climb it forthwith. But English girls could 
 not allow their fellow-men, even though they were of 
 a different colour, to undertake such a task for their 
 ease ; and so they dismounted and scrambled up the 
 steep and narrow way until a high but level stretch 
 of country was gained. From thence a glorious view 
 
54 Children of Cathay 
 
 of the plain was obtained. A river wound its way 
 at the foot of the hill. Far away they could see the 
 great city they had lately left, and on the horizon 
 could discern the low range of hills where our friends 
 the Wangs had their home. The coolies came panting 
 after them, and said, ' Truly it is better to carry 
 foreigners than Chinese, for our countrymen will ride 
 all the way, if they have bargained to do so.' 
 
 And so, riding or walking, as the ground was level 
 or steep, they came at last, towards evening, to their 
 destination. 
 
 Mrs. Davis came out to receive them, accompanied 
 by the children, who rushed upon them with eager 
 cries of ' Auntie, auntie.' After a hasty embrace, they 
 ran off to Wu Mei-mei and the cook, whom they knew 
 well, and began talking volubly in Chinese and 
 begging for a ride on the little donkey. Mrs. Davis 
 led her guests into the temple, giving them a warm 
 welcome as she did so. They passed through the 
 decorated gateway, between a couple of stone lions, 
 and then turned to the left out of the principal 
 courtyard, and found a smaller enclosure, surrounded by 
 low one-storeyed buildings, which formed the servants' 
 quarters. Beyond this was a very pleasant court, 
 shaded by a great tree which stood in the centre, 
 with a raised pathway all around, leading to the rooms 
 where the missionaries were living. On one side, 
 facing south, was a large hall, with great doors open 
 
The Holiday in a Temple 55 
 
 to the air. Beside this was a pleasant room, which 
 Mrs. Davis occupied. On the east were the two 
 rooms prepared for Eva and Agnes Martin, and on the 
 west was Mrs. Olafsen's room. Wu Mei-mei and the 
 children's nurse or amah lived in some rooms on the 
 south side of the court. 
 
 The furniture was of the simplest kind, as the 
 difficulties of bringing it were so great. A couple of 
 square Chinese tables placed in the hall served as a 
 dining-table, a few chairs and wooden stools, and beds 
 made of string, interlaced over a wooden framework, 
 were the chief pieces of furniture. But the gay 
 paintings of flowers and landscapes on the walls, and 
 the quaint woodwork of the doors and windows, were 
 sufficient ornament, and the great bunches of wild- 
 flowers set about in earthen jars hid the bareness of 
 the rooms. The travellers soon produced an enamelled 
 jug and basin from their luggage, and setting their 
 provision box on end, converted it into a wash-stand 
 covered with a towel. They were quite ready for the 
 evening meal, and left their attendants to spread out 
 their bedding and complete the preparations for the 
 night. 
 
 In the haU they met Mrs. Olafsen, a shy little lady 
 with a very fair, sweet face. She spoke English with 
 a good deal of hesitation, but could understand con- 
 versation quite well. 
 
 Her little girl was a sweet little thing about six 
 
56 Children of Cathay 
 
 months old, and the Davis children were devoted to 
 her. 
 
 ' Auntie,' said Jamie, in an impressive whisper, ' do 
 you know we have a live baby to play with now ? 
 Her can scream, but her cannot run.' 
 
 ' Yes, her's a girl, and amah carries her about all 
 day,' broke in Harold, 'and her belongs to Auntie 
 OUie.' 
 
 ' Oh, you funny boys,' said Agnes. ' Can't you call 
 the baby " she " ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, all same,' said Jamie. ' Her don't care. Will 
 you come and see my little hen after supper, Auntie 
 Nessie ? We did build her a house with some bricks 
 and straw.' 
 
 'Now, boys, let the aunties have tea,' said their 
 mother. ' You must wait till to-morrow to show all 
 your treasures.' 
 
 They tried to draw Mrs. Olafsen into the conver- 
 sation, but she was very shy of speaking before 
 strangers. 
 
 * I always think the Swedish, missionaries are so 
 brave,' said Eva. ' They come out here, and all the 
 grammars and dictionaries are written in Chinese and 
 English, and they have to know English before they 
 can begin Chinese. Where did you learn English, 
 Mrs. Olafsen ? ' 
 
 ' I studied in the school in Sweden,' she replied, 
 with her pretty foreign accent, ' and when I come 
 
The Holiday in a Temple 57 
 
 abroad, I first come to London for six weeks. Before 
 I only read books. Then I learn to speak a little.' 
 
 ' Why, had you only six weeks' practice ? ' cried 
 Agnes. ' I think you speak wonderfully well. Where 
 were you living in London ? ' 
 
 ' I Mve with a family in a little house. in Holloway,' 
 said Mrs. Olafsen. ' Every day I go out and see the 
 shops and hear the people talk. Then I go to meetings 
 and listen, and try to understand. Oh, it was vairy 
 difficult ! ' 
 
 ' I should think so, indeed,' said Mrs. Davis. 
 
 ' Then I come on the boat — what you call steamer,' 
 she went on. ' There was another Swedish girl, and she 
 was so homesick, she cry all night, and I too, I was 
 sad. The English people were vairy kind, and I love 
 them much, but my friend, she cannot speak much, and 
 when we come to China, she was sent to the south 
 and I to the north, and she was not strong. Next 
 year I see a letter from her, and she has malaria 
 very badly, and then she died. Oh yes, it was very 
 sad. But the Lord took her, and she is happy now.' 
 
 The listeners could all supply the details in the 
 little story so simply told. The earnest -hearted, 
 simple Swedish girl, offering herself for work in China, 
 and going forth into a foreign land without education 
 or experience, bravely struggling with the difficulties 
 of study and the trying climate, longing for home, yet 
 loving Christ more than all, and at last laying down 
 
58 Children of Cathay 
 
 her life in the land which needed the message of her 
 Master. 
 
 That night they gathered for prayers as the stars 
 came out in the summer sky, and sang softly in the 
 gloom, ' How shall I follow Him I serve,' and they 
 thought again of the story they had heard. Truly she 
 had done what she could, and would receive the 
 Master's ' Well done.' They read and prayed together, 
 and their hearts grew warmer as they united in this 
 hallowed service. Troubles vanished, weariness was 
 forgotten as they drew near to the throne of grace, 
 and sent up heartfelt petitions to the Father of Love. 
 Then they separated for the night, and went across 
 the silent courtyard to their rooms. Presently the 
 sound of singing from the outer yard was heard, and 
 a Chinese hymn to a well-known tune told them 
 that Mrs. Davis was holding a little service with the 
 servants. In that heathen temple, once the scene of 
 idolatrous worship, was now gathered a little company 
 of the servants of the true God, and inquiring hearts 
 amongst the ignorant Chinese were turning towards the 
 light that lighteth every man that cometh into the 
 world. 
 
CHAPTEE VI 
 
 SOWING THE SEED 
 
 rpHE days passed rapidly and quietly in the old 
 -*- temple on the mountain. The fresh cool air 
 brought back colour to the cheeks and energy to the 
 limbs of the holiday visitors. Daily walks in the 
 freedom of the solitary heights, quiet hours of reading, 
 and happy social evenings were pleasure enough for 
 those who were worn by isolation, fatigue, and the con- 
 finement of city life. Even gentle Mrs. Olafsen, who 
 seemed delicate as a flower, grew strong and able 
 to walk, and the children grew rosy and plump. 
 Jamie and Harold were never happier than when 
 taking baby Sigrid for a donkey-ride, and their manners 
 grew less rough when she was with them. 
 
 Mr. Davis came up for a day or two's rest some- 
 times, but he could not leave the city for long. His 
 colleagues in the hospital and school work had just 
 left for their furlough, and the two young men who 
 remained in the city were unable to carry on all the 
 work unaided. One was a new-comer, who had been 
 
6o Children of Cathay 
 
 but a few months in China, and at present his time 
 was occupied with the study of the language. The 
 other, Mark Thirwall, had charge of the boys' school, 
 and would not be free from his duties there till the 
 autumn holidays came round, 
 
 Mr. Davis spoke anxiously of the heat and disease 
 in the city. 
 
 ' Of course,' he said, ' Wood has only just come out, 
 and has not had any pressure of work or responsibility 
 yet, but still this summer is exceptionally trying, and 
 might play havoc with a constitution which is not 
 acclimatised. It is Thirwall I am troubled about. 
 I wish the school could be closed earlier; but the 
 parents pay for the teaching, and do not want their 
 boys till the autumn harvest time. Perhaps next 
 year we can adjust the fees and have a different 
 arrangement.' 
 
 ' What happens to the hospital while you are 
 here ? ' asked Agnes. 
 
 ' Oh, that again falls on Mr. Thirwall. Of course 
 my assistant Chu is fairly capable to carry on the 
 dispensing, but Thirwall must see that all goes right, 
 and keep his eye on things.' 
 
 ' I did not know Mr. Thirwall was a doctor,' said 
 Eva. 
 
 ' Oh, he is not a doctor in the strict sense — no 
 diploma or that kind of thing — but he has, what is 
 of great use, a kind of medical perception, and his 
 
Sowing the Seed 61 
 
 treatment is wonderfully successful. You see he had 
 some training before he left England, and then in his 
 former station in China he worked with Dr. Levison, 
 and gained a great deal of experience in the ordinary 
 diseases we have to deal with.' 
 
 ' It is a very good thing that you have him to help 
 you, now Dr. and Mrs. Everett are gone home,' said Eva. 
 
 ' Oh yes, Thirwall is invaluable. He has such tact 
 in dealing with the boys, too, and they respect him 
 immensely, for he is very strict with them, though his 
 heart is so tender towards any in distress.' 
 
 ' I shall have to apply for a course of lessons in 
 the gentle art of discipline,' laughed Agnes. ' If a girl 
 were ever so naughty with me, I'm sure I should 
 laugh if anything comic happened, and the comic 
 seems inevitable so often in China. For instance, I 
 was talking quite earnestly to a woman the other day. 
 She really seemed to be deeply interested, and I felt 
 hopeful that I had made an impression. Then she 
 looked up so brightly and said — what do you think ? 
 " Oh, teacher, why is your hair so rough ? Have you 
 not had time to comb it this morning ? Try a little 
 oil." In the midst of my disappointment I could not 
 help smiling. My refractory curls are the despair of 
 Wu Mei-mei, who has more than once asked me to 
 apply butter, which she thinks would be more suitable 
 as an adjunct to the toilet than as an article of food.' 
 ' That reminds me of a story I heard when I was 
 
62 Children of Cathay 
 
 working in the east end of London before I came out,' 
 said Mr. Davis. ' A friend of mine, a young curate, 
 was visiting a dying man, who had been ill for a long 
 time, and asked him solemnly if he had anything on 
 his mind which he would like to ask him about. The 
 old man replied that there was something which had 
 been troubling him for weeks, but he did not like to 
 mention it. On urging him to speak freely, the sick 
 man said, " Well, sir, it's been bothering me sadly, 
 however you manage to get into them waistcoats of 
 yours, with no fastening ; and if you could tell me, it 
 would be something off my mind." ' 
 
 They all laughed, but Eva said — 
 
 ' It is terribly sad to find such carelessness about 
 the most important things, all over the world, in 
 England as well as China. The hard struggle for 
 existence seems to drive out all thought of a future 
 life. Care for the body presses upon the senses more 
 than care for the soul, and things that are seen take 
 precedence of things that are unseen.' 
 
 ' For our poor Chinese women, I can quite under- 
 stand why this is the case,' said Mrs. Davis. ' If they 
 have no children, they are doomed by their super- 
 stitions to eternal damnation, and if they have 
 children, the fate before them is still a horrible one ; 
 so they have no hopes for the future at all. Therefore 
 their only chance is to get what comfort they can in 
 the present life, and oh dear, how little that is ! ' 
 
Sowing the Seed 63 
 
 ' I try to tell the women of the love of Jesus, and 
 they say, " Who cares for women ? " ' said Mrs. Olafsen. 
 ' I tell them that Jesus came to give hope, and they 
 ask, " "What hope is there for women ? " I tell them they 
 must try to understand the good news, and they say, 
 " There is no good news for women, and they have no 
 minds. The men say so, and it must be true." They 
 have no love, no hope. Ah, it makes my heart sad ! ' 
 
 ' It is appalling the hopelessness of these millions 
 of Chinese women,' said Mrs. Davis. 'People in 
 England can't understand it. Why, even the words 
 which we have to use, in speaking of God, and heaven, 
 and sin, and righteousness, are unknown to them. 
 They laugh foolishly and say, " Tell us of your children, 
 and household, and clothes, and food ; then we shall 
 know what you are talking about." ' 
 
 Just then the children's voices were heard calling 
 out, ' Someone is coming. Oh, what a nice little 
 boy!' 
 
 Going to the gateway which led from their apart- 
 ments into the temple yard, the missionaries saw 
 a poor woman leading a little boy, talking to the 
 priest, and presenting a fowl, some fresh eggs, and 
 some strings of copper cash, which she had laboriously 
 carried up the mountain -side. The priest led her to 
 the great altar, behind which were the clay figures of 
 a god and his attendants, and, giving her some sticks 
 of incense, directed her to light them and place them 
 
64 Children of Cathay 
 
 in some jars which were standing ready to receive 
 them. Then she fell on her knees, and knocked her 
 head on the ground, imitated by her little son, and 
 they both wept and prayed very earnestly for some 
 boon. When the ceremony had been repeated several 
 times, the woman went to another altar, to seek the 
 aid of another god, and Mr. Davis asked one of the 
 servants what was the matter, and where the woman 
 came from. 
 
 The boy replied that she lived about three miles 
 off, in a valley among the hills, and that she had toiled 
 up the steep ascent on her tiny feet to pray for her 
 husband, who was very ill. Mrs. Davis told the boy 
 to prepare some food for her and the child, and asked 
 him to call her when the poor woman was ready to go. 
 
 She soon came out of the temple court, looking 
 miserable and exhausted, and was much astonished 
 when Mrs. Davis's amah approached her and invited 
 her to take some food. 
 
 ' Why, who are you ? ' cried the woman. ' I 
 thought that only the priests lived here ! ' 
 
 The amah explained that she was looking after 
 the children of some summer visitors, and that the 
 lady wished to see her when she had rested. She 
 gratefully took the food, and her little boy ate 
 ravenously and then fell asleep. Jamie and Harold 
 had been peeping in at the strangers, but were too 
 shy to speak, and soon ran off to fetch their mother. 
 
Sowing the Seed 65 
 
 When Mrs. Davis entered, the poor woman fell on 
 her knees and knocked her head as a sign of 
 abasement before the lady, but Mrs. Davis raised her 
 up, saying — 
 
 ' Do not k'e-tou to me ; tell me what is troubling 
 you.' 
 
 The woman looked up in astonishment at the fair- 
 haired foreigner, and showed evident fear, saying to the 
 amah — 
 
 ' Is it a man or a woman ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, I am a woman like yourself, and these are my 
 two sons,' said Mrs. Davis. ' But I come from far 
 away, where women often have fair hair and blue 
 eyes and big noses, so do not fear.' 
 
 ' The lady has shown me great kindness ; I thank 
 her highness for the food,' faltered the woman, not 
 knowing what to say to such an unexpected hostess. 
 
 ' Now tell me how many children you have,' said 
 Mrs. Davis. 
 
 ' Two — that one and a baby boy,' said the woman. 
 
 ' No girls ? ' asked Mrs. Davis. 
 
 ' Oh, there's a girl of twelve years old, but she does 
 not count,' answered the woman. 
 
 ' What is the matter, that you have come so far to 
 pray at this temple ? ' asked Mrs. Davis. 
 
 The woman burst into tears, and said that her 
 husband, who was a farmer, had fallen ill. ' Some- 
 times he is hot, and calls out and shouts. Sometimes 
 5 
 
66 Children of Cathay 
 
 he shivers and groans. He will not eat, but only 
 drinks hot water and sucks melon, and he is getting 
 worse. The village doctor came and beat him, to 
 drive the evil spirit out, and he lay like one dead. 
 But the evil spirit came back, and he does not know 
 me, and I fear he will die. Oh, what shall I do ? ' 
 
 ' My husband is a doctor,' said Mrs. Davis. ' Would 
 you like him to go with you to see the sick man ? ' 
 
 ' But we have no money left,' cried the woman. 
 ' The village doctor took a bushel of wheat for his fee, 
 and I sold the calf to get cash to give the priest. 
 What have I for the foreign doctor's fee ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, he will not want payment. See, now you are 
 rested, the donkey is ready, and you and your httle 
 boy can ride home. My servant will lead the animal, 
 and my husband will follow with his medicines.' 
 
 So the grateful woman rode back to her home, Mrs. 
 Davis promising to visit her before long; and when 
 Mr. Davis returned, he told them of the wretched 
 dwelling where the fevered man was lying. The 
 little girl was fanning him, and giving him hot water 
 to drink. The cow was lowing in its stall, having 
 had no food, and missing its young calf. The dogs 
 ran out barking furiously when he arrived, and had to 
 be beaten off with a stick. The poor wife apologised 
 for the dirt and disorder, saying that her grief had 
 made her blind, and she had no one to help her now 
 her husband was ill. 
 
Sowing the Seed 67 
 
 Mr. Davis did what he could for the sick man's 
 comfort, left some cooling medicine, with strict direc- 
 tions as to its administration, and forbade any more 
 melon for the present. He told the wife to boil some 
 rice in water, and give the liquid to the patient, and 
 asked if she had ever heard of drinking cow's milk. 
 She was much horrified at the idea, and watched in 
 wonderment while the servant tried to milk the cow. 
 Just a little was obtained and given to the sick man, 
 but the woman was evidently unwilling to try such 
 unheard-of diet for an invalid. 
 
 Mrs. Davis and Eva and Agnes said they would 
 walk down the following day escorted by the servant, 
 who knew the way. They hoped the woman would 
 be in a calmer state of mind, and able to listen to a 
 little quiet talk. When they went, however, they 
 found her as joyful as she had been despairing. 
 
 ' My husband is better, so the gods heard me. I 
 went to the temple, and the gods sent the good doctor. 
 What shall I do to show my gratitude to the gods ? ' 
 
 While Eva looked at the patient, and told his little 
 daughter what to do to make him well, Mrs. Davis 
 told the poor ignorant wife of the Good Physician, who 
 had sent the doctor to help her husband, and of His 
 care for the souls of men and women as well as for 
 their bodies. 
 
CHAPTEE VII 
 
 AN EVENTFUL VISIT 
 
 FTIHE summer wore on. The fields again were filled 
 -*- with crops, ripening for the autumn harvest. 
 Frequent rains watered the land, and the fierce heat 
 of July gave place to cooler weather at the end of 
 August. Tall crops of sorghum waved in the fresh 
 breeze, the drooping tufts of seeds rising to a height 
 of eight or nine feet, and quite hiding the wayfarers 
 as they traversed the field-paths. The pretty pink 
 blossom of the brick-wheat was fading and showing 
 the swelling seed-vessels below. Pea-nuts and sweet- 
 potatoes covered the ground with their spreading 
 leaves. The pretty cotton plant flourished exceed- 
 ingly, acres of ground around every village being 
 devoted to its cultivation. The flowers are not unlike 
 hollyhock blossoms, pale pink, yellow, or white in 
 colour, and growing on a plant about eighteen inches 
 high, with leaves of a beautiful pale green, in shape 
 like those of an ivy-geranium. 
 
 Wang Meng Lin and his son T'ien En had worked 
 
 61 
 
An Eventful Visit 69 
 
 hard, and were rewarded by the prospect of a good 
 harvest. The wheat had not yielded quite so well as 
 usual, and they hoped that the autumn crops would 
 make up the deficiency in their store. 
 
 A short time of rest could be taken before the 
 commencement of harvest, and Mr. Wang was enjoying 
 a quiet time for smoking and meditation, and also 
 planned to visit some old friends while he had 
 leisure. 
 
 T'ien En had been doing his best to recall what 
 he could of his scanty book-learning, and was now 
 using every opportunity to increase his knowledge 
 of the character. He hoped to accompany his 
 father to Fang Ts'wen, where they were to visit Mr. 
 Liu, and he knew that there he would hear more 
 about the wonderful story contained in his precious 
 book. He took it out and looked at it sometimes, 
 but could not read connected sentences. He de- 
 lighted to pick out the words God, Jesus, Saviour, 
 which he could recognise because his friend at the 
 fair had given him a little paper with a few texts 
 printed in large type, and had pointed out these 
 characters specially. 
 
 By a little judicious flattery, he had so worked on 
 his younger brother's pride as to obtain the promise of 
 a little help every day if T'ien En would in return 
 relieve him of some light household duties which fell 
 to his share, and so leave him free to amuse himself. 
 
70 Children of Cathay 
 
 T'ien Pao was a spoiled and selfish boy, and never gave 
 a thought to his ' brother's sudden desire to learn to 
 read, only seeing in it a means of increasing his own 
 leisure. But T'ien En was quite satisfied when he got 
 his brother to teach him ten new characters every 
 night from one of his old school-books, and by diligent 
 study and constant repetition he fixed them firmly in 
 his mind, and then scanned the pages of his Gospel in 
 secret to see if he could find them there. Sometimes 
 he was rewarded, and then he tried to make out the 
 meaning of the context ; but the task was a hard one 
 for his untrained mind. 
 
 Mr. Wang had not yet told his wife about the 
 proposal to send Kou to school. His own plan was 
 to send her to her mother-in-law's as if for a visit, 
 and let them take the responsibility of sending her on 
 to school. He hoped to complete this arrangement, 
 and so had planned to visit Mr. Liu. 
 
 Early one morning he set out with his son for their 
 long walk. A wadded quUt was rolled up and tied 
 into a bundle, which T'ien En carried. A clean coat 
 for each of them, and their best shoes and clean socks 
 were also rolled up ; stout staffs were selected, and 
 suitable presents purchased for the household — a 
 parcel of cakes, some tea, and a gay piece of coloured 
 calico for the women, and a new water-pipe for Mr. 
 Liu. Mr. Wang took a small piece of silver tied up 
 in his waist-belt, and two or three hundred cash. The 
 
An Eventful Visit 71 
 
 total value of this in English money might be about 
 five shillings. 
 
 They left the little village on the hill and took 
 the eastward road over the plain. Mr. Wang led 
 the jvay, his son following a yard behind in filial 
 humility. 
 
 Occasionally Mr. Wang would make a remark on 
 the crops they were passing, and the only reply would 
 be a grunt from the perspiring T'ien En, who found 
 the quilt a warm load. At noon they halted at a 
 wayside inn, under a group of trees by a little pond, 
 and called for food. Some strings of cold jellied 
 cornflour, served with vinegar, refreshed them, and 
 following this up with some large pieces of batch- 
 bread, they resumed their way. 
 
 About four in the afternoon they came in sight of 
 their destination, and stopped to change their travel- 
 stained garments. The dusty shoes and socks were 
 replaced by fresh ones, and putting on their clean 
 coats and wiping their heated faces, they set out again 
 for the village. 
 
 While still some distance ofl', they were seen by 
 a child in the fields. She ran to call someone else, 
 who recognised them, and told Mr. Liu of their 
 approach. Hastily telling his wife and smoothing 
 his hair, he shook out his long sleeves and went forth, 
 with due decorum to meet them. Mutual greetings 
 and compliments followed, and slowly, to allow of 
 
72 Children of Cathay 
 
 household preparations, Mr. Wang and his son were 
 escorted through the village to Mr. Liu's little 
 cottage. There they rested and chatted till the 
 evening meal was ready. T'ien En waS overcome 
 by shyness, and almost wished he had stayed at home. 
 One or two lads of his own age stood by and stared 
 at him with their bright black eyes, but lacked 
 courage to make any advance. At last the food was 
 served, and all but the invited guests went away to 
 their own homes. Ample justice was done to the 
 simple fare, and afterwards T'ien En plucked up 
 courage to speak to some of the family. His father 
 was talking to Mr. Liu, and glanced across at him 
 as though doubtful of his acquiescence in some plan. 
 At last he muttered, ' Well, well, he's a good lad, and 
 will not tell his mother and get me into trouble.' And 
 so saying, he called T'ien En. 
 
 ' I have been asking your father to join us in our 
 evening worship,' said Mr. Liu. 'Will you come 
 with us and hear the words of the true God ? ' 
 
 'Yes,' answered T'ien En readily, his eyes 
 brightening. 
 
 Mr. Wang looked surprised, but said nothing. 
 
 Soon afterwards a gong was sounded through the 
 village, and the people by twos and threes gathered 
 to a room built somewhat apart from the rest, beside 
 a large tree. 
 
 'This is our worship -hall,' explained Mr. Liu. 
 
An Eventful Visit ']i 
 
 ' When we heard of the true God, and many of us 
 followed Him, we needed a place to gather in, to hear 
 His word and pray together. So we built this. 
 Some gave money, and some gave wood, and some 
 gave labour. Now we have our own meeting-house.' 
 
 It was a simple structure of beaten mud, like the 
 surrounding cottages, but was larger and scrupulously 
 clean. Good beams supported the thatched roof. A 
 few wooden benches provided seats, and the leader 
 stood behind a table. 
 
 A hymn was sung, without books, the familiar 
 words being known by heart, and the light of the 
 solitary candle only illuminating the leader's books. 
 As T'ien En heard the words of the favourite hymn, 
 ' There is a green hill far away,' he listened with all 
 his heart, and when the last verse was sung, tears 
 filled his eyes. ' Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved.' 
 Yes, truly, he had never heard of such love till he 
 met that young Christian at the fair. Then he heard 
 a chapter announced ; it was the fifth of Matthew, 
 and he recognised the name of his own prized volume. 
 He listened to the reading of the Beatitudes, hardly 
 grasping their meaning ; but when the leader explained 
 the verse, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they 
 shall be called the children of God,' the more familiar 
 language was easier to understand. Homely illus- 
 trations — such as the smoothing of family quarrels, the 
 adjustment of busiaess difficulties, and so on — made 
 
74 Children of Cathay 
 
 it clear to the eager lad that the true God was a 
 lover of peace, and that He desired brotherly love to 
 continue. A prayer followed. The simple troubles 
 and wants of the community were poured with 
 confidence into the ear of the Almighty Father, and 
 then all present joined in the Lord's Prayer. As 
 they dispersed, many greetings were given to Mr. 
 Wang ; but his son slipped away with a full heart to 
 ponder over the things he had heard. When at last 
 he joined his father at the door of their host's house, 
 Mr. Wang said, ' Well, what do you think of it ? 
 Quite harmless and instructive, was it not ? But 
 you need not say anything at home. Women don't 
 understand these things.' 
 
 T'ien En thought of the women and girls who had 
 earnestly joined in the singing and worship, but he 
 understood his father's hint, and agreed to be silent 
 concerning the Christians' gathering. 
 
 Next morning Mr. Wang politely suggested that 
 their visit had been wearisome to their host, and 
 proposed leaving at once ; but, as he expected, Mr. Liu 
 urged them to stay another night, so he said he had 
 business in a neighbouring town, and would return 
 in the evening when he had finished it. T'ien En 
 chose to stay in the village, so his father set out 
 alone. 
 
 Mr. Liu had noticed the lad's earnest attention at 
 evening prayers, and soon found an opportunity of 
 
An Eventful Visit 75 
 
 speaking to him on the subject of the new reUgion. 
 He was told of T'ien En's efforts to learn to read the 
 Gospel, and of his yearning to know more of the 
 truth. He devoted the whole of the morning to 
 telling the boy much that he wanted to know, 
 answering his questions, and finally teaching him the 
 Beatitudes, showing him all the characters he did not 
 already know. 
 
 The boy's reserved nature softened under the 
 kindly influence of sympathy, and he poured forth 
 the story of his troubles, his slowness, and his 
 brother's sharp tongue, little Kou's sufferings and 
 his inability to help her, and his longings after a 
 better life. Mr. Liu was astonished to hear so much 
 from his lips, and privately determined to remove 
 Kou as soon as possible from her mother's cruelty. 
 He comforted the boy, and taught him the Lord's 
 Prayer, telling him that God would send help and 
 guidance if he prayed to Him. When Mr. Wang 
 returned, he mentioned the proposal he had previously 
 made, that Kou should accompany his own daughter 
 to the new foreign school. Mr. Wang consented, 
 after dexterously finding out that all the expense was 
 to be borne by Mr. Liu, but stipulated that nothing 
 must be said to his wife. Mr. Liu was not willing 
 that Kou should be removed until her mother quite 
 understood what they intended to do with her. He 
 knew that he had the right to settle the matter 
 
76 ' Children of Cathay 
 
 himself, as she was betrothed to his son, but he 
 wished all to be clearly understood at first. So he 
 extracted a promise from Mr. Wang, in his son's 
 presence, that his wife should know, at anyrate 
 before school commenced. Mrs. Liu produced a roll 
 of red calico and a piece of gay braid, which she sent 
 to Kou as a present, with the message that she 
 expected to see her in a month's time. 
 
 It was Mr. Liu's turn to conduct the service that 
 night, and he chose the hymn, ' Tell me the Old, Old 
 Story.' His subject was that same old story, which 
 he told in such a way as to touch Mr. Wang's heart. 
 He listened with growing interest, and when they 
 dispersed after a short prayer from a grey-haired 
 Christian, he inquired of his host — 
 
 ' What is this book from which you read ? How 
 do you know that it is true ? ' 
 
 T'ien En was overjoyed when Mr. Liu proposed 
 that they should discuss the matter before retiring; 
 for he knew that if his father left before he heard 
 more of the ' foreign religion,' it would be a long 
 time ere he again had an opportunity. So they 
 aat up till midnight, poring over the large -type 
 New Testament which was the household's pride and 
 treasure, till Mr. Wang rose and said, ' Wonderful ! 
 wonderful ! I should like to hear the foreign 
 teachers myself ! ' 
 
 Early next morning they set out on their homeward 
 
An Eventful Visit ']'] 
 
 way, father and son conversing eagerly on all they 
 had seen and heard. Now for the first time Tien En 
 told his father of what he had heard at the fair, and 
 Mr. Wang was astonished at the hold the new religion 
 had taken of his son. 
 
 On reaching home, they found Mrs. Wang in a very 
 good temper, having sold some fowls at a good profit. 
 Mr. Wang told her about their visit, and delivered 
 Mrs. Liu's message. On seeing the red calico, Mrs. 
 Wang was much pleased, and her husband thought it 
 a good opportunity to say casually — 
 
 ' Mr. Liu desires that Kou should remain in his 
 charge till the New Year. He wishes to send her to 
 some friends of his in the town, ladies who will teach 
 her some accomplishments before her marriage. I 
 consented, as he will bear all the expense, and the calico 
 will be sufficient to make her suitable clothes.' 
 
 To his great relief, Mrs. Wang merely said — 
 
 'Well, the child will be at home till after the 
 cotton-picking, of course. Then I don't care how 
 soon she goes.' 
 
 And Mr. Wang felt that his promise to Mr. Liu 
 was redeemed. 
 
CHAPTEK VIII 
 
 LITTLE KOU LEAVES HOME 
 
 nn HE summer holidays were over, and the old temple 
 -*- on the mountains was again as solitary and silent 
 as before the coming of the foreigners. Eva and 
 Agnes Martin had taken leave of the little boys and 
 their mother after a three-weeks' stay, and returned 
 to their home in the town. They missed the fresh 
 air and coolness of the heights, but were strengthened 
 and invigorated for the autumn work. They found 
 that during their absence the old evangelist Wu had 
 been making inquiries concerning the adjoining pro- 
 perty, and had discovered that it might be rented at 
 a moderate price, as it had no frontage on the street. 
 
 ' That is no disadvantage for our purpose,' said Agnes. 
 'It will be all the better for our pupils to be secluded in 
 ft back yard. Let us be as Chinese as we possibly can!' 
 
 The present occupiers only used the rooms for 
 storing goods, and were willing to remove as soon as 
 the new tenants wished it. The key of the padlock 
 was forthcoming, and one morning Eva and Agnes 
 
 78 
 
Little Kou leaves Home 79 
 
 went in on a tour of inspection. They found every- 
 thing very dirty and in bad repair. The windows were 
 hung with streamers of tattered paper ; cobwebs hung 
 from the ceiling and rafters ; the doors were off their 
 hinges. The only entrance was approached from a back 
 lane. On the north side of the yard was a fine room, 
 lofty and well built, which with a thorough cleansing 
 and some repairs to the woodwork would make an ideal 
 schoolroom. Opposite it was a row of little rooms, 
 each containing a k'ang, which would serve as bed- 
 rooms, and a kitchen and storeroom could be easily 
 placed at the side of the yard. The owner was quite 
 willing to knock a doorway through the dividing wall, 
 and so make an entrance from the mission compound. 
 All seemed perfectly satisfactory, almost too satis- 
 factory, Eva thought, and she wondered at the evident 
 willingness to oblige on the part of her neighbours. 
 
 One day she called old Mr. Wu, and questioned him 
 closely on the subject. He assured her that the land- 
 lord was really willing to lease the buildings on the 
 terms he had mentioned, and that he was certain he was 
 acting in good faith. But Eva was not quite satisfied. 
 ' There must be some reason why he is so willing to 
 meet us half-way,' she said. ' Do you know what it 
 is ? I must know before the matter goes further.' 
 Mr. Wu hesitated and stammered, and at last said — 
 ' The reason is trifling. It is nob worth mentioning.' 
 ' Nevertheless, I must hear it,' insisted Eva. 
 
8o Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Well, then, everyone declares the house is haunted. 
 It has a bad name, and no one will live in it,' said the 
 old man. 
 
 ' Oh, is that all ? ' said Eva, much relieved. ' It will 
 not hinder me from taking the house, but you must 
 see that nothing is said to the teachers or scholars 
 when they come, or every pigeon will be a bird of ill- 
 omen, and every stray cat an evil spirit ! ' 
 
 The same evening she wrote to Mr. Davis, asking 
 him to come over and help in drawing up the agree- 
 ment with the landlord, so that the school could be 
 ready for scholars in a month's time. 
 
 By the end of the following week they had formally 
 taken possession, and workmen were busy clearing the 
 rooms of debris, whitewashing the walls, putting down 
 brick floors in the chief rooms, and painting the wood- 
 work. The broken-down entrance was refitted with a 
 strong door which could be securely barred and pad- 
 locked, preventing anyone from gaining admission on 
 that side. The wall was about ten feet high, and no one 
 could possibly see into the yard. No overlooking from 
 neighbouring windows is permitted in China, where 
 seclusion is considered so necessary for modest women. 
 
 While staying with Mrs. Davis, Eva and Agnes 
 had discussed all their plans with her, and she had 
 promised to send them the young Bible-woman who 
 was so well suited to be a teacher. Wu Mei-mei 
 had gladly undertaken the charge of her baby during 
 
Little Kou leaves Home 8i 
 
 school hours. Mrs. Davis said she knew of three girls 
 whose parents were willing to send them to school, and 
 who were able to pay for their board and teaching. In 
 the country districts there were several Christians like 
 our friend Liu, who wanted their girls to be educated, 
 but whose means were too limited to permit them to 
 pay more than a nominal fee, and that must be in 
 kind. During the short time the Martin girls had lived 
 in Tung An, they had made several friends, and had 
 great hopes that some more pupils would appear as soon 
 as the school was really started. So the date of opening 
 was announced as the fifteenth day of the ninth moon 
 (early in October), and preparations went on apace. 
 
 When Mr. liu in Fang Ts'wen heard the news, he 
 sent his eldest son (not the one who was engaged to 
 Kou) to Mr. Wang with a message that Kou must 
 come to his house not later than the thirteenth of 
 the ninth moon, and he specially asked that if possible 
 she should come on the eleventh, with her brother 
 T'ien En as escort, so that both of them could spend 
 the twelfth, which was Sunday, or ' big worship,' in 
 the village. T'ien En was with his father when the 
 message came, and he urged that consent should be 
 given. It was so unlike the boy to express such a 
 wish, or in fact to make any outward demonstration 
 of feeling, that his father wondered what could be the 
 cause. But he simply said, ' We will tell your mother^ 
 and ask if Kou can be ready by the eleventh.' 
 6 
 
82 Children of Cathay 
 
 So after the evening meal, he said that Mr. Liu's 
 son wished to take back word when they might expect 
 Kou. 
 
 ' Would not the eleventh do very well ? ' he asked 
 his wife. ' Then T'ien En could take her over, and 
 bring back a few basins and water-jars from the 
 town. The autumn fair begins on the thirteenth.' 
 
 But Mrs. Wang was not to be cajoled into giving 
 her consent. 
 
 ' Fancy making such a fuss about the child ! 
 When I am ready to send her, she shall go ; and if I 
 wish to keep her, she shall stay. The idle, lazy thing ! 
 She is good for nothing, anyway, and her mother-in- 
 law is welcome to her when it> suits my convenience ! ' 
 
 Before a visitor, even Mrs. Wang restrained her 
 tongue, and said no more just then. 
 
 But Kou worked well at the cotton-picking, setting 
 out early each fine morning with her basket, to pick 
 the downy tufts of cotton-wool from the withering 
 plants, whose bursting seed-pods disclosed the fibre 
 packed around the shining black seeds. And old Mrs. 
 Si, who had taken a fancy to her, offered to make up 
 the red calico jacket and trim it with the braid Mrs. 
 Liu had sent. So, as the days went by, Mrs. Wang was 
 appeased, and completed Kou's outfit in good time. 
 
 She had a pair of trousers, wadded with cotton-wool, 
 for wear in the cold weather ; her old wadded jacket 
 had been unpicked and washed, and made up again, 
 
Little Kou leaves Home 83 
 
 and would do for ordinary days, while the gay new 
 one would be put over it on gala occasions. 
 
 An extra pair of new shoes was put into the bundle, 
 which also contained a little box of white face-powder, 
 a comb, some ornaments for the hair, and Kou's best 
 ear-rings, which had been sent to her on her betrothal. 
 
 When the day came for departure, the donkey was 
 saddled, and Kou was mounted upon it. At the last, 
 she cried and clung to her mother, whose better 
 nature showed itself when the moment of parting 
 came. The fact that her best-loved brother was to 
 accompany her comforted her greatly. T'ien En had 
 told her of the happy home at Fang Ts'wen, and no 
 one had thought it necessary to tell her that she was 
 to go to school. It had not occurred to Mr. Wang 
 to speak to her on the subject, her mother had hardly 
 given the matter a thought, and T'ien En was so much 
 occupied with the hope of again meeting his friends 
 that he quite overlooked the strange arrangements 
 which had been made for his sister's education. 
 
 The journey of that day was a marvellous experience 
 for Kou, who had never been beyond the borders of 
 her native village before. She had never even seen a 
 shop, for all the business of the villagers was transacted 
 in a little town a mile from her home, and travelling 
 hawkers supplied the women with the odds and ends 
 they needed for their needlework. On entering the 
 gate of the first walled village which they had to pass 
 
84 Children of Cathay 
 
 through, she began to cry, and T'ien En had to assure 
 her that they would get out at the other end of the 
 town, before she would be quiet. Then the groups 
 of men who were bargaining noisily over a load of 
 persimmons, and the boys who ran to look at her as 
 she rode along, quite terrified the poor child, and she 
 begged her brother to go round the next town and not 
 through it. Seeing how frightened she really was, 
 he good-naturedly consented. At noon they stopped 
 to buy food at a tiny hamlet, where a kind young 
 woman asked them into her yard, and gave them a 
 drink of hot bean-broth with their bread. Then they 
 went on again till they reached Fang Ts'wen, T'ien En 
 beguiling the way with accounts of the kindness he 
 had received from Mr. Liu, and exhortations to Kou 
 to behave as well as she possibly could, so as to please 
 her mother-in-law. 
 
 They were received very kindly when they at 
 length arrived. Mrs. Liu told her daughter Ngai-tsi, 
 who was to go to school with Kou, to take her little 
 friend indoors, while T'ien En helped to stable the 
 donkey. Kou was surprised to hear Ngai-tsi's name, 
 for it meant ' Beloved,' while her own name, ' Enough,' 
 signified only contempt. She was also amazed to see 
 her running about actively on natural feet, while she 
 herself could only stumble along slowly and painfully. 
 
 The unusual fatigue ensured a sound sleep for the 
 little traveller, and next morning she awoke refreshed. 
 
Little Kou leaves Home 85 
 
 but bewildered at her strange surroundings. She 
 began to cry, and her sobbing awakened Ngai-tsi, who 
 was sleeping beside her. Her bright chatter soon 
 comforted Kou, and she willingly helped to prepare 
 the morning meal. When it was over, Mrs. Liu 
 told her to wash her face and hands and put on 
 her best gown, for she must go with them to the 
 ' worship-halL' She hung back till Ngai-tsi took her 
 hand and led her to the little chapel, where a side 
 entrance admitted them to the women's part of the 
 building. A long curtain of blue calico was hung 
 down the middle of the chapel, the seats for men and 
 women being on opposite sides. This was dispensed 
 with at evening prayers, when only the few families 
 living in the village assembled, but was necessary in 
 Chinese eyes when outsiders came from a distance. 
 
 A gong was sounded for the Sunday services about 
 half an hour before the time of commencing, to 
 warn the Christians to prepare. They came in as 
 they were ready, and chatted with one another at the 
 doors or in the yard. As the groups from other 
 villages arrived, they were warmly greeted. Then 
 the expected preacher was seen approaching, and 
 entered and took their seats on the narrow wooden 
 benches. The quiet reverence of the congi-egation 
 astonished Kou during the opening prayer. She had 
 often peeped in at the door of the temple, when her 
 mother and other women occasionally went thither to 
 
86 Children of Cathay 
 
 offer incense to the idols in order to propitiate the 
 evil spirits, and she had seen them chattering noisily 
 together and then prostrating themselves before the 
 images, while the priests chanted an incantation or an 
 attendant beat gongs. There all was dirty, tawdry, 
 and disorderly; here all was quiet and clean. She 
 looked about at the women kneeling reverently, and 
 wondered what they were doing. 
 
 Then they all rose, and joined in singing a favourite 
 hymn. The chorus with its simple phrases caught 
 the child's ear, ' Yes, Jesus loves me ! ' repeated over 
 and over again after every verse. Who was Jesus, 
 and whom did He love ? She determined to ask Ngai- 
 tsi when they got home. 
 
 The rest of the service was unintelligible to Kou, and 
 during the sermon she fell asleep, leaning against the wall. 
 But her brother, on the opposite side of the curtain, 
 was eagerly listening to all the preacher had to say, and 
 storing up in his mind food for thought for many a day. 
 
 In the afternoon an informal service was held, the 
 people being divided into classes after the opening 
 exercises, as in a Sunday school at home. T'ien En 
 joined a class of small boys, and found to his joy that 
 they were studying Matthew. Kou sat amongst some 
 tiny children who were learning the hymn which had 
 caught her attention in the morning. The tune was 
 quite beyond her abilities, but the words of one verse 
 and the chorus were fixed in her memory that day. 
 
CHAPTEE IX 
 
 KOU GOES TO SCHOOL 
 
 "11 /rUCH against his will, T'ien En had to set out for 
 -^'-'- home on the following day, visiting the fair on his 
 way to buy the crockery his mother needed. The village 
 houisewives know at what time to expect these fairs, 
 and procure a stock of goods at a time when they are 
 cheap ; for if they let the opportunity pass, they must 
 go to the shops in the towns, where higher prices are 
 asked. T'ien En had begged to be allowed to stay till 
 Kou left, but Mr. Liu had questioned him, and found 
 out that he was expected at home ; so he told him that 
 his duty to his parents must not be neglected in his 
 desire to learn more of the new religion, and that if 
 he used the knowledge he had, and continued per- 
 severing in his efforts to read, God would no doubt 
 open a way for him to receive more instruction. Kou 
 was sorry to part from her brother, but was not 
 unhappy amongst her new relations; so T'ien En 
 started off with the donkey in good time. 
 
 Mr. Liu's second son, who was betrothed to Kou, 
 
 87 
 
88 Children of Cathay 
 
 had already returned to the school in the city under 
 Mr. Thirwall. It was in the hope that Kou ■would 
 become indeed a helpmeet for him that Mr. Liu was 
 arranging for her to go to school also. Although 
 only a very moderate fee was asked, sufficient to partly 
 pay the expense of feeding the scholar, it was a great 
 effort for the poor peasant-farmer to keep both a boy 
 and a girl at school. His own daughter's fees were to 
 be paid by her father-in-law. 
 
 An innkeeper in the town who was friendly with 
 Mr. Liu had told him that some carts loaded with 
 furniture had passed through a day or two previously, 
 and would be returning empty on the fourteenth. So 
 in the hope of getting a cheap ride, Mr. Liu and 
 the two little girls set out before sunrise to walk over 
 the fields to the town ; and sure enough ! there were the 
 carts standing in the inn yard, one of them loaded and 
 the other empty. A bargain was soon struck with the 
 driver, who was glad to receive even a small payment 
 instead of going home empty ; so they mounted the 
 clumsy open cart and TinroUed their wadded quilts to 
 form cushions to sit upon. Mrs. Liu was disappointed 
 to find that Kou's mother had not sent her a quilt, 
 but decided that she and Ngai-tsi must share one for 
 the present. As Mr. Liu would have to spend the 
 night in Tung An before returning, he had brought his 
 own bedding, as is customary with Chinese travellers. 
 
 It was a great treat to the children to have a ride 
 
Kou goes to School 89 
 
 in a real mule-cart. The bumping and jolting were 
 part of the fun, and the jingling of the mule-bells and 
 the cracking of the long whip helped to excite them. 
 They chattered continuously to one another, while 
 their escort smoked placidly. They had to cross a 
 river on the way, and the road descended through 
 a narrow gorge tiU it reached the river bank. The 
 water was shallow enough to allow them to ford it, 
 and the merry words died on the little girls' lips and 
 they clung to the cart in terror as the mules entered 
 the river with a great splashing, and the cart lurched 
 as it bumped down the bank. Then the animals stopped 
 in midstream for a long draught of water, and Kou 
 began to cry as she looked around and saw water on 
 every side. Mr. Liu soon comforted her by telling 
 her that they would soon be over, and would have 
 some dinner on the other bank. The mules responded 
 to their driver's cry, and slowly pulled the cart out of 
 the water and up the steep bank. 
 
 A short distance from the river they came to a 
 small town, outside which they stopped at a little 
 baker's shop. A great pan was simmering over a fire 
 under the roof of matting. 
 
 ' What have you there, master ? ' cried Mr. Liu. 
 
 ' Macaroni, freshly made. Do you want any .? ' 
 was the answer. 
 
 Three steaming bowls, with chopsticks, were soon 
 handed to the travellers, who greatly relished the 
 
90 Children of Cathay 
 
 simple fare, which Britons would think so coarse 
 and flavourless. 
 
 ' Hallo, friend Liu, are you taking your big-footed 
 girl to her mother-in-law ? ' called a man, who 
 recognised our friend. 
 
 ' No,' he replied good-naturedly, for the tone and 
 manner were not pleasant, ' I am escorting my 
 charges to school.' 
 
 ' Ho, ho ! ' laughed the man. ' Fancy taking girls to 
 school ! Women are born bad ; what is the use of 
 teaching them ? They will only be cleverer to do 
 evil. Besides, they are such wooden-heads, they will 
 never learn.' 
 
 The little girls crouched down in the cart, frightened 
 at the rude words, while Mr. Liu replied — 
 
 ' Who was it brought you up, and nourished you, 
 and then trained your wife, and now manages your 
 farm ? Was it not your own mother, friend Li ? ' 
 
 A laugh went round at the other man's expense, 
 for it was well known that he had no business ability, 
 and since the death of his father all his affairs had 
 been managed by his clever and capable mother. 
 
 ' Well, but, friend Liu, why did you unbind your 
 girl's feet ? ' asked another man. 
 
 ' Because it is not right to cause suffering and 
 misery to one's children. Because girls' feet were 
 made to grow big, and if they are bound, the girls 
 grow weak and lame and bad-tempered. My girl will 
 
Kou goes to School 91 
 
 be strong and willing, and her husband will be proud 
 of her.' 
 
 ' Where will she get a husband ? ' sneered Li. 
 
 ' There will be no difficulty about that. Her 
 father-in-law first asked me to unbind her feet/ 
 answered Liu, as they drove away. 
 
 Towards evening they drew near the town of 
 Tung An and entered the great east gate. Through 
 the busy streets they passed till they came to the 
 quiet one where the mission-house was, and stopped 
 before its outer door. Mr. Liu paid the driver and 
 then lifted down the girls with their bundles, and 
 entered the door, which had been opened by Mr. Wu. 
 
 ' Please come in. What is your honourable name, 
 sir ? ' he asked. 
 
 ' Ah, sir, my humble name is Liu, and I have brought 
 these ignorant children to the great ladies' school.' 
 
 The little girls went down on their knees to knock 
 their heads to the strange gentleman, but he prevented 
 them, and said — 
 
 ' Will you bring the young ladies to the foreign 
 teacher's room, Mr. Liu ? ' 
 
 They followed him across the courtyard, through the 
 large room used as a chapel, and into another yard, where 
 they waited while Mr. Wu went to tell Miss Martin 
 of their arrival. Presently he returned and said — 
 
 ' The foreign teacher Ma will receive you,' and led 
 them into a little sitting-room. It was Agnes's study. 
 
92 Children of Cathay 
 
 where she daily read with her teacher, and was very 
 simply furnished. But the straw mat on the floor 
 seemed too clean to be stepped on, and the visitors 
 stood in the doorway till the introductions were over 
 and Mr. liu was forcibly seated in the place of honour. 
 Then Agnes brought the little girls to stand beside 
 her, while she tried to make friends. But shyness 
 prevented them from saying a word, and Ngai-tsi 
 edged away to her father's side, while Kou began to 
 cry. So Agnes laughed, and told Chung T'ing, who 
 came with a tray of tea and cakes, to put two little 
 stools beside Mr. Liu's chair, for the children to sit on 
 while they drank some tea. Her bright face soon won 
 Ngai-tsi, but Kou still looked blank and frightened. 
 
 ' I fear you will find them very stupid and dull,' 
 began Mr. Liu apologetically. ' My daughter knows 
 a few hymns and texts, and can read a few hundred 
 characters; but my daughter-in-law has learned 
 nothing, and I am very anxious that she may make a 
 good impression on her mother at New Year, so that 
 she may consent to unbind her feet.' 
 
 ' Yes,' said Agnes. ' We hope she will be happy 
 here, and then she will soon learn with the other 
 girls. Your own little daughter seems bright enough, 
 and I am so glad she has natural feet ; it will be such 
 a good example for the other girls.' 
 
 ' Are you the foreign doctor, of whom we have 
 heard such wondrous things ? ' was the next question. 
 
Kou goes to School 93 
 
 ' No, that is my sister, who is wiser than I. She 
 knows how to give medicines and how to cure many 
 diseases. Just now she is taking some more pupils to 
 their rooms. Let us follow her to the schoolhouse.' 
 
 So saying, Agnes led the way into the school 
 premises, where Eva was patiently arguing with a 
 refractory child, who refused to allow her mother to 
 leave her. The woman had brought her in, and now 
 the little girl was clinging to her jacket and howling. 
 After a few feeble remonstrances, the woman prepared 
 to take her away again. 
 
 ' She does not vnsh to be good. She does not 
 wisli me to leave her,' she said. 
 
 Eva interfered, saying, ' If she comes to our school 
 she will learn to be obedient and to do what she is 
 told. Tell her she must let you go.' 
 
 ' But she does not wish to ; what can I do ? ' said 
 the woman, who, in common with so many of her 
 nation, expected ' f.lial piety ' to blossom forth in the 
 youth or maiden without previous training in the child. 
 ' She must just have her way, and go back with me.' 
 
 'Do you really wish to take your child home 
 again ? ' asked Eva. 
 
 ' No, of course not. We decided to send her, and 
 her father will be very angry if I bring her back.' 
 
 ' Well, then, she must stay here. We will manage 
 her soon.' 
 
 On seeing Kou and Ngai-tsii enter the yard, the 
 
94 Children of Cathay 
 
 little girl stopped crying and gazed at their bright 
 new clothes with great interest. Eva drew the 
 mother away. All her farewells had been said, so 
 there was nothing now to keep her. Once outside, 
 she expressed a great desire to go back and see if her 
 child were still good, and Eva had some difficulty in 
 persuading her to put off the visit till another day. 
 ' In ten days' time, worship-day will come ; then you 
 will see her again,' said Eva. 
 
 The woman went away to her home in a neighbour- 
 ing street, supporting herself on a staff, and followed 
 by an old servant who had accompanied her. 
 
 Mr. Liu was shown the little room which Kou and 
 Ngai-tsi would share with two other pupils, and their 
 quilts and bundles were laid on a corner of the mud-bed. 
 
 Teacher Chang was introduced, and remained 
 modestly silent while Mr. Liu congratulated her on 
 her accomplishments and learning. The schoolroom 
 was inspected, and some of the pictures and maps 
 were explained. Then the little girls were told to 
 remain with the other pupils for the evening meal, 
 while Mr. Liu was entertained in the guest-room 
 by the evangelist Wu. Some other men who had 
 brought their daughters to school were also staying 
 for the night, and early next morning they all left to 
 return to their homes. 
 
 Teacher Chang had a difficult task to comfort and 
 reassure the frightened little flock left in her charge. 
 
Kou goes to School 95 
 
 Most of the girls had never been away from home 
 before, and the strange surroundings and new com- 
 panions made them home-sick. But after a night's 
 rest things looked brighter. Some were told to keep 
 the fire bright, by blowing the queer native bellows ; 
 some stirred the porridge for breakfast. One was 
 intrusted with Mrs. Chang's little baby, and two 
 dusted the schoolroom. By the time Agnes came 
 in to conduct morning prayers, a neat and cheerful 
 little company were ready to receive her. Those 
 who ' knew their manners ' stood up and bowed with 
 a polite greeting, and the others who were not too shy 
 imitated them. The hymn-singing was a failure, only 
 Agnes and the teacher and Ngai-tsi knowing it, but 
 the children listened quietly to the lesson and knelt 
 reverently during prayer. 
 
 Then came the task of examining them and 
 arranging them in classes. One or two had learned 
 something at home, and formed an advanced class. 
 All the others began together to learn the first group 
 of characters, printed for them in large type. As they 
 made more progress, and showed different degrees of 
 ability, they would perhaps be again divided. 
 
 So Agnes Martin's school for Chinese girls com- 
 menced. With toil and trouble, joy and sorrow, 
 some encouragements and some disappointments, the 
 weeks rolled by, until the New Year brought a 
 welcome holiday to teachers and pupils. 
 
CHAPTEE X 
 
 CHRISTMAS IN CHINA 
 
 14 T ANY an anxious hour had Agnes Martin during 
 -^'-*- the first few weeks of her new venture. The 
 difficulties seemed to increase, instead of diminish. 
 The different characters of the children, and their 
 untrained minds, their bad habits and uncontrolled 
 tempers, seemed so perplexing to one unaccustomed 
 to the work. 
 
 One day soon after the school commenced, the 
 teacher reported that one little girl seemed unhappy ; 
 she would not eat her food, and wanted to go home. 
 She had never been very bright, but was dull and 
 heavy, and now seemed discontented and unwell. So 
 Agnes asked Eva to see her, and as soon as her 
 practised eye saw the child, Eva suspected the truth. 
 Closely questioning her, she found out that the little 
 girl was in the habit of taking opium, and had brought 
 some concealed in her clothing. Now that was 
 finished, and the craving could not be satisfied, the 
 child wanted to go home, where she hoped to get 
 
Christmas in China 97 
 
 more opium. Eva found out that her mother knewrof 
 her fault, and had often beaten her for it ; but the ter- 
 rible craving overcame her fear of her mother's anger. 
 But after speaking to her very seriously, Eva told her 
 that she would not send her away, but would give her 
 medicine, and if she would promise to do better, she 
 should rejoin her friends in the school in a few days. 
 
 So Mrs. Wu was asked to take charge of the child 
 for a week, teaching her to sew and keeping her em- 
 ployed. Agnes spent some of her spare time in teaching 
 her, and at the end of a week the little girl was so much 
 improved that she was restored to the school again. 
 
 Then another pupil complained that a piece of 
 calico had been stolen from her bundle, and it was 
 found hidden in the quilt of her bedfellow. Agnes 
 addressed the school on the subject of honesty, and 
 the guilty child had to sit apart from the rest for 
 ten days with her face turned to the wall. 
 
 But after a month had passed, the spirit of the 
 place took possession of the girls, the tone of the 
 school improved, and fewer troubles occurred. On 
 the Saturday half-holiday there was less quarrelling 
 over the swing and balls; the manners improved, 
 and Sunday became a red-letter day. The children 
 enjoyed meeting the women who came in to worship, 
 and sat behind a curtain on one side of the hall, while 
 the men were on the other. Mr. "Wu preached simply 
 and well, and Eva and Agnes led the singing heartily. 
 7 
 
98 Children of Cathay 
 
 The afternoon Scripture lesson, with brightly 
 coloured pictures, was attractive, and some little treat 
 was looked for at the evening meal. Some singing 
 after supper, no lessons, and an early bedtime closed 
 the day; and the little heathen children, who had 
 never known what Sunday meant, came to regard the 
 day as the best of the seven. 
 
 As Christmas-time di-ew near, Agnes and Eva began 
 to make preparations for a special little festival. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Davis were invited to bring the boys over for 
 a week, to see the girls' home, and their new school. 
 Presents were prepared secretly and kept hidden away 
 from the children. Agnes gave a few lessons to pre- 
 pare the girls' minds for the coming anniversary, and a 
 special hymn was learned, the Chinese version of the old 
 favourite, 'Hark, the herald angels sing.' Agnes wanted 
 her school to make a good impression on Mrs. Davis, 
 and managed to infuse the same desire into the pupils.' 
 Chang Mei-mei was delighted at the prospect of seeing 
 her own ' mother-teacher ' once more, and told the 
 children much of her goodness and kindness of heart. 
 
 At last the day appointed for the arrival of the 
 visitors drew near. The guest-room was prepared, 
 and one evening a messenger arrived to say that Mrs. 
 Davis and the boys might be expected next day. 
 When at last the cart drew up outside the door, and 
 the various passengers tumbled out with laughter and 
 merriment, what a welcome they received ! Chung 
 
Christmas in China 99 
 
 T'ing was left to complete the unloading of the boxes 
 and rugs, and the travellers were hurried in to a warm 
 room, where a hearty meal awaited them. The little 
 boys began to nod, and Wu Mei-mei soon appeared to 
 put them to bed. Then Agnes went off to tell the 
 schoolgirls that they must wait till to-morrow to see 
 the foreign lady, and to conduct evening prayers. 
 
 Mrs. Davis and Eva were left alone. 
 
 ' Oh, Eva dear, it is so nice to have you all to 
 myself again ! I really miss you more than I can say.' 
 
 ' We have been looking forward to this reunion so 
 much,' said Eva. ' We have so much to tell you, and 
 we want your advice about lots of things.' 
 
 * But you have your sister to talk things over with,' 
 said Mrs. Davis. ' I have my husband, of course, but 
 it is not like having a woman to consult. Men don't 
 understand all the little details which interest us so 
 much, and we can have some lovely chats this week.' 
 
 ' When is Mr. Davis coming ? ' asked Eva. 
 
 ' He cannot come till late on Christmas Eve. You see 
 the boys' school is still going on, and it seemed hardly 
 fair to leave Mr. Thirwall and Mr. Wood to do all the 
 work. They have to entertain the boys on Christmas 
 Day, as it is, and will find that quite a tiring piece of 
 work.' 
 
 ' What are they going to do ? ' asked Eva. 
 
 ' Well, they are to have a service in the morning, and 
 one of the Christians is to give an address. Then after 
 
loo Children of Cathay 
 
 a light meal, some of the boys will have " sports " in the 
 afternoon, while the rest cook some special dainties 
 which we are giving them as a present. The little 
 feast will take some time, and in the evening they will 
 have a lantern entertainment.' 
 
 'I should think the day will be a great success,' 
 said Eva. ' We always enjoy Christmas, don't we ? 
 Wasn't it nice to get Christmas letters last mail ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, Eva, what do you think the mail brought to 
 me ? ' said Mrs. Davis. ' I must show it to you. It 
 seems too precious to hand about, but some day I 
 shall put it on the wall for Jamie and Harold to look 
 at.' She drew a little book from her bag, and opening 
 it, took out a folded paper. ' See, Eva. At the school 
 where my little Edward is, they give them texts to 
 paint on Sunday afternoon. He has sent me this one.' 
 
 Eva took the paper, and saw a printed outline text 
 coloured brightly though irregularly — 
 
 ' My son, give Me thine heart.' 
 
 Underneath in a boyish hand was written — 
 
 •I did it. September 17th.' 
 
 Her eyes filled with tears ; she sympathised Bo 
 keenly with the yearning mother-heart, which was so 
 seldom allowed open expression. 
 
 ' My dear little Teddie,' said Mrs. Davis. ' It is five 
 years, Eva, since I saw him, and he was only seven then 
 It is so hard to leave the children at home, and let others 
 
Christmas in China loi 
 
 teach them and train them. They will grow up to love 
 others better than their parents, and we miss all the 
 memories of their childhood which other parents enjoy.' 
 
 Eva kissed her silently ; she would not interrupt the 
 confidences which were such a reUef to her companion. 
 
 ' Mabel is older, and besides, she lives with my 
 mother, and goes to a day-school. She is getting on 
 well, and is such a good girl. But Teddie was always 
 high-spirited and mischievous, and we have so often 
 wondered how he would grow up. This sets my 
 mind at rest. How we have thanked God for this 
 little bit of paper with its message ! ' 
 
 She put away the text and wiped her eyes as Agnes 
 was heard talking to Chang Mei-mei outside. 
 
 ' Oh, Mrs. Davis, this lady will not be refused. Will 
 it tire you too much to see her ? ' she cried, coming in. 
 
 ' Certainly not,' said Mrs. Davis. ' Come in, Chang 
 Mei-mei, and tell me about your children.' 
 
 Chang Mei-mei approached shyly, and was with 
 difi&culty persuaded to take a seat near the stove. 
 She unrolled her jacket and showed the little bald 
 head of her sleeping baby. 
 
 ' What a dear little fellow ! How he grows,' said 
 Mrs. Davis. ' Is he well and strong ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, mother-teacher, he is very strong. Wu Mei-mei 
 takes care of him for me while I teach the girls.' 
 
 ' And how do you like your work. Teacher Chang ? • 
 asked Mrs. Davis. 
 
I02 Children of Cathay 
 
 'Ah ! the teacher Ma helps me much, and she is very 
 patient with me,' said Chang Mei-mei, looking at Agnes. 
 
 'Teacher Chang does very well,' said Agnes in 
 Chinese. ' She uses her heart for the good of the 
 girls, and is like a mother to them.' 
 
 ' I am unworthy,' said the girl, blushing. ' But the 
 ladies are tired ; I will go. We shall meet to-morrow." 
 So she went back to the school, and night fell upon 
 the mission-house. 
 
 Next morning the little boys were up betimes and 
 begging clamorously to be allowed to have breakfast 
 with the schoolgirls. The result was a peaceful meal 
 for the three ladies. Afterwards Mrs. Davis was intro- 
 duced to the scholars, and Agnes was quite proud of the 
 way in which they rose to greet her. Lessons went on as 
 usual, only one day's holiday being given at Christmas. 
 
 At night Mr. Davis arrived, and a merry evening was 
 spent romping with the boys. ' Christmas Eve for 
 foreigners, Christmas Day for the Chinese,' was the 
 motto. Presents were handed round, and a big bran 
 pie disclosed treasures for the youngsters — packets of 
 sweets, cards, toys, and fruit. Mr. Davis had brought 
 a bag of oranges from the city, where they could 
 sometimes be bought. Eva and Agnes had knitted 
 gloves for each of their guests, and received in their 
 turn some pretty Chinese teacups of fine china. 
 The evening passed too quickly, and the morrow 
 dawned clear and cold. 
 
Christmas in China 103 
 
 While they were at breakfast, the girls trooped 
 from the school-yard to sing their Christmas hymn 
 under the window. Mrs. Davis was delighted to hear 
 the bright young tuneful voices, for singing in China 
 is often an excruciating exercise to the listeners. They 
 opened the door and bowed to the girls, who all greeted 
 them with the usual phrase, ' Kung-hsi, kung-hsi ! ' 
 
 ' We will visit you presently in the school,' said 
 Agnes, and they returned to their own yard. 
 
 ' We have invited all who come on Sundays to 
 come to-day for a short service at noon,' said Eva. 
 ' Perhaps you would address them, Mr. Davis. Mrs. 
 Davis will speak to the girls this morning, and we 
 must give up the afternoon to them too.' 
 
 The little boys went with their mother to make 
 friends with the girls, and when the gong was sounded 
 they all trooped into the chapel. Mr. Davis gave a 
 short address on the Nativity, using the text, ' G-od so 
 loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son.' 
 The fresh voice of the strange gentleman held the 
 attention of all, and when the service ended they were 
 slow to depart. The servants brought in trays of tea 
 and cakes, with sweets and dried fruits, and the 
 foreigners moved among their guests, chatting to each 
 in turn. At last all went away. 
 
 Then after a short rest, the afternoon merry-making 
 commenced. A box of presents had been sent out 
 from England by friends interested in the school, and 
 
104 Children of Cathay 
 
 the distribution was accompanied by much laughter. 
 As each girl's name was called she stood up, and one 
 of the little boys carried the gift to her. 
 
 ' Little Peach-Blossom, here is a dolly which you 
 must care for as your mother cares for her baby.' 
 
 This was to Chang Mei-mei's little girl of five years 
 old, who received the doll with great glee. 
 
 ' Now here are two needle-books for Ngai-tsi and 
 Pu-T'ao. Your English friends meant you to learn to 
 sew well and use their gifts. For Flowery-Fragrance 
 there is a little mirror, which will teach her to keep 
 her hair tidy. Here is a nice piece of red calico which 
 will make you a garment, Happiness.' 
 
 And so on, till all had received some gift. Kou 
 was called Ngen-hwa, or ' Flower of Grace,' for her ugly 
 name, ' Enough,' had been changed. Then sweets and 
 cakes were distributed, and all sat down together to a 
 Chinese feast, prepared by the girls. The servants 
 and Mr. Wu's family were enjoying themselves in the 
 outer yard. When darkness fell, Mr. Davis deUghted 
 the children by letting off some fireworks and crackers 
 in the yard. All agreed that Christmas was as good 
 as New Year, which is the highest praise from Chinese 
 lips. All were content and happy ; the servants had 
 received presents with the rest, and the Christian 
 festival had left joy and peace behind instead of the 
 remorse and evil so often inseparable from Chinese 
 so-called religious orgies. 
 
CHAPTEE XI 
 
 KOU'S EETUKN HOME 
 
 'T SUPPOSE Kou will be coining home for New 
 -*- Year,' said Mr. Wang to his son. ' You will 
 have to go and fetch her from friend Liu's house.' 
 
 ' Mr. Liu told me he would hire a cart to bring them 
 back in the middle of the twelfth month,' said T'ien En. 
 
 ' Well, I may see him at market to-morrow. I will 
 ask him then,' said Mr. Wang. 
 
 This conversation took place about three weeks 
 after the events recorded in the last chapter. The 
 Chinese year commences with the new moon which 
 occurs after the middle of our January. This year it 
 fell in the first week of February. It is the great 
 Chinese holiday, when business is suspended, schools 
 aie closed, and all classes return to their homes to 
 spend a few days at least with their families. 
 
 Two days later Mr. Wang said to his wife, ' I have 
 arranged to send T'ien En to fetch Kou in seven days' 
 time. Friend Liu thinks she ought to spend New 
 Year at home.' 
 
 106 
 
io6 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' It is certainly time that I had someone to help 
 me in the house,' grumbled Mrs. Wang. ' What with 
 meals and clothes for you three, who are always 
 wanting, wanting, to say nothing of the shoes you wear 
 out, it is more than one pair of hands can manage.' 
 
 ' But it is only a month since Li-Hwa went back to 
 her mother-in-law's,' said Mr. Wang. ' She was with 
 you for a long time.' 
 
 ' Of what use is a daughter when she is married ? ' 
 asked his wife. ' She was here, it is true, but she 
 brought enough sewing to keep her busy all the time. 
 One wadded jacket was all she made for me. A 
 daughter is not so good as a daughter-in-law ! ' 
 
 ' Well, the match-maker is even now arranging for 
 T'ien Pao's betrothal,' said Mr. Wang, ' and I have told 
 him to get an orphan girl, so that the dowry will be 
 small, and you can have the child to live with you.' 
 
 ' Come, that's good news,' said Mrs. Wang. ' T'ien 
 Pao is so clever that he deserves to be betrothed 
 before T'ien En, who is so dull.' 
 
 Mr. Wang did not tell her that T'ien En had begged 
 to have his betrothal put off for a time, but he secretly 
 sympathised with his son's desire to get a Christian wife. 
 
 On the appointed day T'ien En took the donkey to 
 fetch his sister, and questioned her closely all the way 
 home about the school, the ladies, and the teaching. 
 Kou had improved so much that her brother was 
 astonished at her bright answers. She told him that 
 
Kou's Return Home 107 
 
 she had a hymn-book, and could read five hymns and 
 knew others by heart. 
 
 'And I want my mother to let me go back and 
 unbind my feet,' she added. ' A lot of the girls have 
 big feet, and Mr. Liu is quite willing.' 
 
 ' Well, you'd better be careful, and wait until mother 
 is pleased with you,' advised the elder brother. ' Help 
 her all you can with the New Tear cleaning.' 
 
 When they reached home, Kou was lifted from the 
 donkey, and went into the old familiar yard once more. 
 She had never noticed how untidy it was, nor how 
 dirty the house appeared, until now ; but that thought 
 only flitted through her mind, and was forgotten when 
 she saw her mother. She clasped her hands together 
 and bowed low. 
 
 ' Well, you've come home,' was the greeting. ' I 
 hope you are not too grand to help with the work ; 
 living in idleness, indeed ! ' 
 
 ' I can sew, mother,' said Kou timidly, producing a 
 piece of patchwork which she had laboriously made as 
 a first effort. Mrs. Wang was pleased with the bright 
 colours, and said — 
 
 ' Why, this would just do for the centre of the 
 quilt I am making. The old cover was worn out, and 
 came to pieces when I washed it. Now, come in and 
 have some food ' 
 
 Busy days followed, for the house and yard were 
 badly needing a thorough cleaning. Kou helped her 
 
io8 Children of Cathay 
 
 mother as much as she could. Enforced cleanliness 
 and regular meals had greatly improved her health, 
 and though she walked painfully, she was much more 
 alert and active than formerly. Accumulations of 
 rubbish were swept out from dark corners; the pots 
 and pans were polished, and shone brightly ; the ragged 
 paper which hung from the window-frames was all 
 removed, and fresh sheets of paper, with gay pictures 
 printed on them, were pasted up instead. Mr. Wang 
 was sent to market to buy these, and also brought a 
 supply of red paper and door-gods. He was very 
 busy with the schoolmaster, selecting lucky sentences, 
 which Mr. Li wrote for him on the long scarlet strips, 
 and on the last day of the year all the doors and 
 door-posts were scrubbed, and Mr. Wang, with the 
 help of his two sons, stuck the scrolls on the door-posts 
 and the door-gods on the two leaves of each door. 
 
 ' Ah ! ' said Mrs. Wang, with satisfaction, ' how well 
 those new door-gods look ! Now we shall have no 
 evil spirits flying through our doors. They will be 
 too much afraid of the gods. Look at their fierce 
 beards and glaring eyes ! ' 
 
 ' Why, mother,' said Kou, ' at school we had no 
 door-gods, and I never saw any evil spirits there.' 
 
 ' No door-gods ! ' cried Mrs. Wang ; ' how dared you 
 sleep if you had nothing to protect you ? ' 
 
 ' The teacher Ma said that the Heavenly Father 
 guards His children while they sleep, and over our 
 
Kou's Return Home 109 
 
 bedrooms was written, " I will lay me down in peace 
 and sleep, for Thou, Lord, makest me to dwell in 
 safety," ' said Kou. 
 
 ' Well, that must be the foreign charm to keep out 
 evil spirits,' said Mrs. Wang. ' Come inside, child. 
 Don't you know that the devil catches all the women 
 who go outside the yard at New Tear time ? ' 
 
 ' Does he really ? Have you ever seen one ? ' 
 asked Kou. 
 
 ' I should think not, indeed. I've always kept 
 indoors like a well-taught woman, but my old mother 
 told me once of an awful thing. A woman went out 
 to buy some pea-nuts on the very last day of the 
 year, and the devil caught her in the street, and she 
 glared and screamed fearfully, and then he carried her 
 off, and she was never seen again.' 
 
 Kou looked at her mother with horror-stricken 
 eyes, wondering why she had not been told this a 
 school. But there was still much to be done, and no 
 time for more questions. T'ien Pao had been busy 
 cutting out little streamers of yellow paper, and these 
 were now stuck all round the niche in which the well- 
 god sat, to protect the water of the well from poison 
 and other witcheries. The little image of the god of 
 the yard was similarly decorated, and a pot of earth 
 with sticks of incense was placed before each idol. 
 
 Then in the evening came the great ceremony of 
 sending the Tsao Yie to heaven. The Tsao Yie, or 
 
I lo Children of Cathay 
 
 kitchen-god, was a picture of a brightly coloured idol, 
 which was pasted above the stove in the kitchen. 
 Mr. Wang took it down, and told his children that 
 during all the year it had been watching and listening, 
 and now it was going to heaven to carry a report to 
 the gods there. 
 
 ' Bring some sugar, Kou ! ' called her mother. 
 
 The sugar was brought and solemnly placed on the 
 mouth of the figure, which was then thrown in the 
 fire. As the flames curled upwards, Mr. Wang said, 
 ' See, the god is going to heaven. He has eaten sugar, 
 and will only report sweet things of us to the gods ! ' 
 
 As night fell, the yard was closed and the hum 
 of busy life was hushed. But at midnight a rattle of 
 drums and gongs from the neighbouring temple gave 
 warning to all that the Old Year was passing. Every 
 household had a store of crackers and fireworks which 
 were discharged to welcome in the New Year. The 
 children shrieked with delight to hear the popping and 
 crackling and to see the fireworks blaze up suddenly. 
 The uproar continued for some time, and then silence 
 fell, and the day dawned upon a sleeping village. The 
 holidays had' commenced. All work was suspended, 
 and the tired peasants enjoyed their well-earned repose. 
 
 The day was spent in feasting, smoking, and sleep- 
 ing. Each family remained at home to enjoy the 
 annual reunion. Each housewife had supplied her- 
 eelf with a store of provisions to last for some days, 
 
Kou's Return Home iii 
 
 as the usual markets were not held, and no shops would 
 be opened in the little towns until after the fifteenth, 
 the night of the full moon. 
 
 During the succeeding days, visits of congratulation 
 were paid and received by the villagers. Mr. Liu and 
 his son came over to bring a New Year's present, con- 
 sisting of dried fruit and cakes for Mrs. Wang and 
 Kou, a New Testament for Mr. Wang, and a Christian 
 pamphlet in simple characters for T'ien En, who was 
 delighted with the picture illustrating the text. T'ien 
 Pao was made happy with a lead-pencil, which was a 
 wonderful invention to the village lad, who found he 
 could write without the usual elaborate preparations 
 of ink-slab, Indian ink, water, and pen. 
 
 The two men had a talk before they parted, during 
 which Mr. Liu impressed on his friend the importance 
 of the book he had brought, and begged him to study it. 
 
 On the following day T'ien Pao and his school- 
 fellows assembled to offer their good wishes to their 
 teacher. Each brought a small present. One boy 
 had a few eggs wrapped in a cloth, another a parcel 
 of cakes, a third brought a new pen and some fancy 
 writing-paper. These gifts were arranged on a tray, 
 and the little procession set out for Teacher Li's 
 dwelling. On receiving permission to enter, they all 
 bowed low with a chorus of ' Kung-hsi, kung-hsi ! ' and 
 presented their offering. Mr. Li graciously received 
 it, and rephed with a few words of exhortation, and 
 
112 Children of Cathay 
 
 they departed as decorously as they had come. Once 
 out of sight of the house, however, they scampered off 
 with shouts and laughter to the big swing which had 
 been put up in the middle of the village. Here they 
 disported themselves till hunger drove them home for 
 the midday meal. 
 
 Mr. Wang was meanwhile planning a return visit 
 to Mr. Liu's house, and was arranging a gift to take 
 with him. A gay head-dress for Mrs. Liu, a spiced 
 fowl, and a teapot fitted into a wadded basket, were at 
 last selected. Both the boys wanted to go with him, 
 and he consented to take them. 
 
 On approaching the village where Mr. Liu lived, 
 they heard a sound of singing, and found that a large 
 number of people had assembled in the little school- 
 house or chapel. Mr. Thirwall had long promised to 
 visit the homes of his scholars, and took the opportunity 
 afforded by the New Year holiday to do so. The 
 villagers had received notice two days previously, and 
 had invited the Christians for miles around to come 
 in to meet the missionary. They were just holding 
 an enthusiastic service when Mr. Wang and his sons 
 arrived. They were made welcome, and joined the 
 rest, waiting for an opportunity to speak to Mr. Liu. 
 
 After the service he saw them, and brought them 
 up to speak to the first foreigner they had ever seen. 
 Even T'ien Pao's self-confidence deserted him at this 
 unlooked-for honour. ' Why, he speaks Chinese ! ' he 
 
Kou's Return Home 113 
 
 whispered to his brother in astonishment, ' and he 
 wears our clothes ! What a lovely jacket he has ! ' 
 
 ' I hear that one of your sons is interested in the 
 doctrine,' said Mark Thirwall to Mr. Wang. 'I 
 should like a talk with him this afternoon.' 
 
 So T'ien En, to his great embarrassment, found 
 himself alone with the 'foreign teacher.' But his 
 shyness did not last long. His companion was used 
 to boys, and knew well how to gain their confidence ; 
 so before they parted, T'ien En had told him how 
 much he longed to be able to read, and how impossible 
 it was to leave home and go to school, and how he 
 despaired of making more progress without help. But 
 Mr. Thirwall had a plan which seemed likely to help him. 
 
 ' Do you know Kwan Shau Hsien ? ' he asked. 
 
 ' Oh yes ; it is half-way between here and my 
 home,' answered the boy. 
 
 ' Capital ! ' said his friend. ' I have just arranged 
 with Mr. Liu to hold a service there every worship- 
 day at the house of a man who wants to learn the 
 doctrine. He will gather a few neighbours together, 
 and you might join them too. Do you think your 
 father could spare you once in seven days ? I will 
 give you a calendar which will tell you when 
 worship-day comes.' 
 
 So T'ien En returned home with his father and 
 brother, full of joy in the prospect of receiving more 
 teaching at last. 
 8 
 
CHAPTEK XII 
 
 DE. ETA AT WOEK 
 
 "TTTHEN at length the school term had come to an 
 ' ' end, and the last of the scholars had departed 
 from the mission-house, Agnes heaved a sigh of relief 
 and said to Eva, ' What a weight is lifted from my 
 mind ! Eighteen scholars less to think about ! No 
 more quarrels to settle, no more cuts to bind up, no 
 more refractory pupils to admonish, for a month at 
 least ! ' 
 
 ' Yes, you will be free to help me a little,' said her 
 sister, smiling. ' I am planning an extensive New 
 Year's cleaning. My dispensary must be rearranged, 
 and the bottles freshly labelled to begin with.' 
 
 'You evidently think that change of work is as 
 good as play,' replied Agnes ; ' but I mean to have 
 one day's good holiday. Let us hire a cart to take 
 us to the foot of that hill over there, and then walk 
 to the top of it. People will think us quite mad, but 
 I do want a good long walk.' 
 
 So the little excursion was arranged, and the girla 
 
 114 
 
Dr. Eva at Work 115 
 
 started off in high Bpirits, taking sandwiches with 
 them, and accompanied by one of the servants as 
 escort. The long climb and extensive view satisfied 
 even Agnes, and the fresh, bracing air on the hilltop 
 was delicious after the close atmosphere of the town 
 in the plain. Chung T'ing was ready to tell gruesome 
 stories of the wolves who lurked in the dark ravines, 
 and of the depredations they committed in the winter 
 nights. He told also of a saintly hermit who dwelt 
 in a cave near the gate of a temple ; he had spent his 
 life seeking for the 'right way,' giving up opium, 
 tobacco, and meat, and making long pilgrimages to 
 holy places, and now he was ending his days in 
 retirement, hoping to attain to virtue at last. 
 
 ' Poor old fellow ! he must be in earnest,' said 
 Agnes. ' I suppose it would be utterly impossible 
 for us to see him. Do you think we might get our 
 evangelist Wu to come up here ? ' 
 
 On questioning Chung T'ing, they found that from 
 far and near people came to offer gifts to the holy 
 man at New Year time ; so they determined to send 
 Mr. Wu with a New Testament to the hermit's cave. 
 
 As they had been away during the summer, the 
 girls had decided to spend the New Year holidays at 
 home, taking what opportunities they could of getting 
 to know their neighbours better, and by joining in' 
 their festivities, showing themselves to be friendly. 
 To Mr. Wu was intrusted the task of choosing fresh 
 
ii6 Children of Cathay 
 
 mottoes for the door-posts. Mr. Davis sent over 
 a good supply of Christian calendars, which were 
 distributed amongst those who usually attended the 
 Sunday service. Little gifts were sent in to the 
 mission - house from some of the parents of the 
 scholars who lived near. No one of their friends 
 was forgotten by the girls, and Chung T'ing and 
 Ch'in Si were kept busy during the last few days of 
 the year delivering presents and congratulations. 
 
 When the New Year commenced, a time of quiet 
 ensued, for each household was busy with its own 
 affairs, and merry.-making and strangers would not be 
 very welcome. But soon invitations came, asking the 
 ' high-born foreign ladies ' to come and take a humble 
 meal at the house of some friend. These feasts 
 caused great amusement to Agnes. An hour before 
 the appointed time a messenger was sent to warn 
 them to prepare, and presently he returned to escort 
 them to the house of their hostess. When they 
 arrived, they were led into a room, and asked to seat 
 themselves upon the k'ang. Their hostess climbed up 
 beside them, and tried to entertain them with talk, 
 all the while eyeing their garments with curiosity. 
 Then the daughter-in-law or servant would bring a 
 little low table and set it on the k'ang between them, 
 and a fourth woman would take her seat on the 
 vacant side, to satisfy the Chinese sense of symmetry. 
 First of all, tea was served, and then saucers of pickle 
 
Dr. Eva at Work 117 
 
 and higHly spiced salad to whet the appetite. By 
 and by more substantial dishes appeared, to which 
 each guest helped herself with a pair of chopsticks, 
 the hostess occasionally selecting a luscious morsel 
 and placing it between the lips of her friend. When 
 the meal had lasted a very long time, bowls of plain 
 macaroni or little loaves of bread were served, and 
 this formed the last course, to the great relief of 
 the foreign guests, who soon afterwards took their 
 departure. 
 
 One day a man called, imploring ' Dr. Ma ' to come 
 and visit his little daughter. It should be explained 
 that as Chinese surnames consist of one syllable only, 
 the one approaching most nearly in sound to the 
 foreign name is chosen. The Chinese have a list of 
 surnames which is much shorter than an Enghsh one 
 would be, and the consequence is that the same names 
 recur with confusing frequency. 
 
 Eva inquired what was the matter with the child, 
 and the father answered that she had sores on her 
 legs, and was fevered, and could not eat. Agnes was 
 glad to accompany her sister, for her school duties 
 prevented her from knowing the townspeople as well 
 as she would wish. Taking carbolic soap and anti- 
 septic lotions, they set out with their guide, who 
 apologised for omitting to bring a cart for them. The 
 distance was not great, however, and they soon reached 
 the house. Passing across the first courtyard, they 
 
ii8 Children of Cathay 
 
 entered the second, and in one of the side-rooms found 
 the little patient. The mother came forward with 
 profuse expressions of regret for troubling the ' honour- 
 able doctor,' but Eva cut these as short as possible by 
 asking to see the sick child. The mother suggested 
 that she should feel her pulse and prescribe, being 
 evidently unwilling to lift the quilt in which the girl 
 was wrapped ; but Eva insisted on seeing the legs which 
 were sore. Agnes was horrified at the mass of wounds 
 and dirt which was revealed, but Eva, who expected to 
 see a bad case, told the mother to fetch basins and hot 
 water. Before touching the child, she said, ' I cannot 
 treat your daughter imless her feet are unbound. It 
 is the crushing of her feet which prevents these 
 dreadful wounds from healing. They will never get 
 better, and your child will die unless you allow me to 
 do as I wish.' 
 
 The mother declared it was impossible to unbind 
 the feet. No one had ever heard of such a thing, and 
 she knew the child would get better if she had the 
 right medicine. 
 
 So Eva called to the father, who was smoking out- 
 side, and repeated her request, declaring that she could 
 do nothing if the feet remained crushed, and that the 
 child would certainly die soon. The man was evidently 
 fond of the girl, and after demurring a little, finally 
 gave his consent, and told the mother she must remove 
 the bandages. With much grumbling, she began to do 
 
Dr. Eva at Work 119 
 
 this. When the first layer of calico was taken off, a 
 wrapping of oiled paper was disclosed; beneath this 
 the bandages were all bloodstained, and the poor little 
 foot inside was a terrible sight. Pieces of glass had 
 actually been used to cut the muscles and force the 
 foot to bend. But further details are unnecessary. 
 The dark ways of heathendom are undreamed of in our 
 enlightened land. 
 
 Eva and Agnes together bathed and cleansed the 
 awful wounds and dressed the abscesses on the child's 
 legs. They put a clean garment on her, and insisted 
 on having a fresh quilt, though the mother grumbled 
 at the amount of washing which would be needed — 
 and all for a girl, too ! A dose of cooling medicine 
 was given, and Eva left strict injunctions as to the 
 food to be given to her patient, and said that if they 
 neglected her directions she would come no more. 
 
 Next day the child was quieter and less fevered. 
 The father was very grateful, though the mother was 
 surly and cross. Eva gave more medicine, and saw 
 that the wounds were going on well. Day by day the 
 child got better, and when Eva ceased to attend her, 
 she begged her mother not to bind her feet again. 
 The woman would not promise, and did not ask Eva to 
 visit her again ; so she went away very doubtful as to 
 the final result. The father began to come to the 
 mission-house, however, first with a present of money 
 and fowls for the doctor's fee, and later on to talk to 
 
I20 Children of Cathay 
 
 Mr. Wu, who had invited him to retiirn when he had 
 leisure. 
 
 On the tenth day of the month a great fair was 
 held outside the gates of the town. From aU parts of 
 the countryside people flocked to the spot both to sell 
 their goods and to see the sights. A huge stage was 
 erected on the plain and covered with an awning. 
 Opposite to it, about a hundred yards away, was a tent 
 of matting prepared for the idols who were brought 
 from a neighbouring temple to witness the performance. 
 The space between the stage and the tent was filled 
 with a dense crowd of men, and their wives and chil- 
 dren were occupying the carts which were drawn up on 
 either side of the ground, when Eva, Agnes, and Mrs. 
 Wu appeared on the scene in a cart, escorted by Mr. 
 Wu and Chung T'ing, who trudged along beside them. 
 
 'Let us go to a quiet spot away from the crowd, 
 where we shall have an opportunity of speaking to 
 some women,' said Eva; and the driver took them 
 round the outskirts of the fair till they came to a less 
 crowded place. Leaving Agnes in the cart to watch 
 the rugs and store of books they had brought, Eva and 
 Mrs. Wu made their way to a group of women sitting 
 under a wall, while the two men took some G-ospels 
 and tracts and calendars and went about to sell them. 
 Though far from the stage, Agnes could see the gaily 
 dressed actors and hear the clanging cymbals. Little 
 processions from different villages were constantly 
 
Dr. Eva at Work 121 
 
 arriving. The head men went first to the tent to 
 worship the idols, and then came out to join the 
 throng. The bakers drove a thriving trade amongst 
 the hungry wayfarers. Many hawkers were offering 
 gaudy paper lanterns for sale for the approaching 
 ' Feast of Lanterns.' 
 
 On the steps of a little ruined shrine Agnes could 
 see a medicine-man gesticulating, talking at great 
 length, and urging on the people his marvellous oint- 
 ment, compounded of so many horrible and powerful 
 ingredients that it miist be good. Presently he ex- 
 hausted himself and came down from his perch, which 
 was at once occupied by another figure. Agnes was 
 glad to recognise Mr. Wu, and knew he would tell the 
 people of the Good Physician, and lead them from 
 thoughts of bodily diseases to consider the needs of the 
 sin-sick soul. 
 
 Very soon Eva and Mrs. Wu returned, very tired 
 and somewhat discouraged. 
 
 ' It is such unsatisfactory work,' said Eva. ' The 
 women's minds are full of the fair. They do not 
 listen, and then move away. One has to hope that 
 an occasional seed may fall into good ground.' 
 
 ' At anyrate, you have done your best,' said Agnes. 
 
 ' Yes, but that is so bad,' said Eva. 
 
 ' It is easy to see that you are quite done up,' said 
 Agnes. ' People are beginning to go ; the sun will soon 
 set. I propose we move off.' 
 
122 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Listen ! ' cried Eva. ' Do you hear them calling ? 
 What is it ? ' 
 
 Mrs. Wu said placidly, ' The procession is coming. 
 We must wait till it has passed.' 
 
 It came, heralded by a troop of small boys and 
 preceded by a band. The actors had left the stage 
 and were mounted on small horses. They were 
 attired in marvellous costumes, and struck queer 
 attitudes, which they maintained rigidly. The face of 
 one was painted all over with green and white lines, 
 starting on the forehead, curving down the nose and 
 finishing in a fierce spiral on the cheek. Another 
 had one half of his face painted one colour, with a 
 contrasting colour on the opposite cheek. Another 
 had a furious scarlet countenance. The fantastic 
 feathers and curious wooden weapons, the high helmets 
 and painted moustaches, combined to make the per- 
 formance a very striking one. When it had passed, 
 the people broke up and wended their way homeward. 
 
 ' Well,' said Agnes, ' I'm glad I'm not nervous, or I 
 should certainly have nightmare to-night.' 
 
CHAPTEE XIII 
 
 THE FEAST OF LANTERNS 
 
 ' f\^> grandmother, look ! Father has brought us 
 ^^ some lanterns ! ' said little Si-er to the old 
 woman who sat smoking on a little wooden stool at 
 the door of the house. 
 
 ' Ah ! what's that you say ? ' she asked, bending 
 towards the child. 
 
 ' Father has brought us some lanterns,' he shouted 
 into her ear. ' What big ones ! Oh, let me have 
 that one like a frog, father ! ' 
 
 Another boy and girl ran out when they heard the 
 commotion. 
 
 ' Lanterns, lanterns ! ' they cried. ' Mother, come 
 and see ! ' 
 
 ' This biggest one is for Ti-ti,' said the good- 
 tempered, round-faced man who laughingly held the 
 lanterns high above the children's heads. ' And Si-er 
 may have the frog. Do you think that Hsin Chen 
 will want one, now she goes to school and is so wise ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, father, I want one too. I'm not wise ; I do 
 
 123 
 
124 Children of Cathay 
 
 want to go out with the others to-night,' said the 
 little girl, who was the very same little pupil who 
 would hardly let her mother leave her at school when 
 first she went there. 
 
 So Hsin Chen was made happy with a beautiful 
 lantern gaily painted with red flowers, and all the 
 children trooped away to find candles which would fit 
 the sockets without wobbling dangerously. 
 
 It was the fifteenth day of the first month, the day 
 of all others which Chinese children look forward to, 
 the Feast of Lanterns, when every child goes out into 
 the street at nightfall carrying a lighted lantern to 
 see the fireworks and illuminations. 
 
 ' The magistrate has been generous this year,' said 
 the father. ' He has arranged a splendid display in 
 the lake-gardens to-night. It will be worth seeing. I 
 will get a cart for you and mother, and we will all go.' 
 
 Evening drew on, and after a brief twilight, night 
 came. But the glorious full moon shone in the 
 winter sky, and the dry and frosty air glowed with a 
 hundred tiny lights. The excited children shouted as 
 the cart drew up at the door. The old lady, warmly 
 wrapped in a wadded jacket, was tucked inside, with 
 a brass pot of charcoal to give heat. The mother sat 
 in front, and Hsin Chen was placed on the shafts, 
 carrying her precious lantern, which her father pro- 
 mised to light when they reached the lake-gardens. 
 Ti-ti and Si-er ran in front, waving their lights and 
 
The Feast of Lanterns 125 
 
 shouting with glee as they made their way slowly 
 along the crowded streets. Every shop had three huge 
 lanterns hung outside, and many of them were full 
 of candles and coloured lights, the doors at the back 
 being opened to show a long vista of illuminated court- 
 yards. Great fun was caused at one point, where a 
 man had climbed to the roof of a shop and dangled his 
 lantern from a fishing-rod, knocking the heads of the 
 passers-by and then whisking his lantern up again and 
 hiding behind a signboard. Presently they reached the 
 eastern gate, and with difficulty got through, as the 
 crowd was so great. Once outside, they moved more 
 freely.and soon reached the entrance to the lake-gardens. 
 Here they left the cart, and went in on foot. The two 
 elder women were left safely sitting on the steps of a 
 summer-house, and then Mr. Tu and his three children 
 wandered off to see the fun. The gardens consisted 
 of a network of paths and bridges in the midst of a 
 large piece of ornamental water. Quaint tea-houses 
 bunt on little islands formed pleasant resorts in 
 summer, though in winter they were deserted. Lofty 
 trees, now bare and leafless, overhung the water, which 
 was covered with the spreading leaves of water-lily and 
 lotus plants. To-night gay lanterns hung from every 
 tree and from the upturned corners of the roofs. Little 
 boats, brilliantly lighted, floated on the lake, and from 
 an artificial mound on the southern side of the garden 
 the fireworks were to be discharged. 
 
i26 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Oh, father ! look at my candle ! It's going out ! ' 
 
 But the father had wisely brought a supply of 
 candles, and Ti-ti soon rejoined his friends. 
 
 ' Just see that boy's lantern ! It is a phoenix, and 
 can flap its wings,' screamed Si-er delightedly. 
 
 ' Ai-ya, what a misfortune ! Poor little girl, her 
 lantern has caught fire ! Come, Hsin Chen, give her 
 this piece of candy,' said Mr. Tu. 
 
 The child was soon comforted, and forgot her burnt 
 lantern when the first shower of 'golden rain' 
 descended sparkling and hissing. 
 
 Shouts of applause rent the air, and were redoubled 
 when a magnificent set piece was displayed. A band 
 of discordant music produced a thrilling accompani- 
 ment, and the fun waxed fast and furious. Hither 
 • and thither the children ran, and the elders kept in 
 the background, only keeping a wary eye on their 
 charges, lest they should slip into the water. 
 
 ' Oh, isn't it lovely ? ' said Hsin Chen, who soon 
 wearied of running on her little feet, and returned to 
 her father's side. 
 
 ' Where are Ti-ti and Si-er ? ' asked her father-. 
 
 ' Oh, they went with some other boys to pick up the 
 rocket-sticks,' said Hsin Chen. ' Here they come ! ' 
 
 Too soon the fireworks ceased, and ■ with much 
 laughter and noise the people began to return home- 
 wards. One feature of the evening was still to come. 
 Outside the gate a procession of boys was formed. 
 
The Feast of Lanterns 127 
 
 Each carried a lantern of peculiar shape, and these 
 were joined together by paper streamers. The first 
 lantern represented the head of a huge dragon, with 
 movable jaws, and the rest formed its body, which 
 curved and wriggled in the most lifelike manner 
 as the boys walked irregularly along. A troop of 
 children waving flags and lanterns brought up the 
 rear, and the elders began to scramble for their carts. 
 The old grandmother was carried by her son through 
 the crowd. Two elder boys helped their mother and 
 Hsin Chen, while Ti-ti and Si-er followed as best they 
 could, fervently hoping that a place in the cart might 
 be found for their tired little selves. 
 
 Hsin Chen was huddled in beside her mother, and 
 the boys mounted the shafts, while Mr. Tu produced 
 a supply of cakes from his capacious sleeves. 
 
 Sleepily they munched them, and were glad to roll 
 up in their quilts upon the hot k'ang when they 
 reached home. 
 
 So ended the New Year holidays. Next day the 
 shops re-opened, business was resumed, carts rolled 
 through the streets of the town, now despoiled of their 
 swings, and the merry urchins prepared with sighs to 
 resume their studies or other duties. 
 
 Mr. Tu's eldest son was apprenticed to a silversmith, 
 and the second helped his father, who was a carpenter. 
 These boys had received the names of Yung Lung 
 and Yung Kwang (Everlasting Glory and Everlasting 
 
128 Children of Cathay 
 
 Brilliance) when they grew up, though their brothers 
 were still known by pet names — Ti-ti, or younger 
 brother ; and Si-er, or fourth son. Ti-ti was destined to 
 be the scholar of the family, and was known at school 
 as Tung Ming, or Everlasting Eenown. Little Si-er was 
 his mother's pet, and Hsin Chen also was a happy 
 child, her two elder sisters having married well, and 
 her parents being in no hurry to get rid of her. 
 
 On the night after the Feast of Lanterns Ti-ti and 
 Hsin Chen slipped away to their favourite retreat, a 
 heap of shavings in the workshop. Si-er was asleep, 
 and no one noticed them. 
 
 ' I wish it would be Feast of Lanterns every night,' 
 said Hsin Chen. 
 
 ' So do I,' agreed her brother. ' Fancy seeing showers 
 of rockets every night ! But suppose it rained ! ' 
 
 ' It hasn't rained for a long time now,' said Hsin 
 Chen. ' Do you see that white streak all across the 
 sky ? It looks like a river.' 
 
 Her brother leaned forward to look at the Milky Way. 
 
 ' It is a river,' he said. ' Don't you know about it ? 
 I heard my cousin's grandfather telling him about it.' 
 
 ' Tell me the story. Why haven't we got a grand- 
 father ? ' asked Hsin Chen. 
 
 ' Oh, he died before we were born. My brother 
 remembers him, but I don't. He lives in the tablet 
 now, with the other ancestors,' said her brother. 
 
 ' Well, tell me about the river in the sky.' 
 
The Feast of Lanterns 129 
 
 ' All right, but you must tell me a tale afterwards, 
 you know. Long ago there were two people who loved 
 one another very dearly. But it was wrong for them 
 to love; I don't know why. Lots of things seem to 
 make the gods angry, and they were angry with these 
 two people. So they were carried off, and set in 
 different parts of the sky, with that broad river flowing 
 between. It was so broad that they couldn't swim 
 across, so they used to stand on the banks and weep. 
 There was no boat. But one man was king of th& 
 magpies, and he called all the magpies up intO' 
 the sky to help him. It was the seventh day of the- 
 seventh month, and the birds made a bridge over 
 the river, and bent their heads for the man to run 
 across. So he went over and saw the other person,, 
 and then the birds called out that he must run back ;. 
 and when he had returned, they flew back to earth. 
 But they promised that they would come back at th& 
 same time every year, and they always do ! ' 
 
 ' How do you know that ? ' asked Hsin Chen. 
 
 ' Why, because after the seventh day of the seventh 
 month all the magpies are bald. They have lost their 
 feathers from their heads where the man stepped on 
 them.' 
 
 ' Have you seen them ? ' 
 
 ' No ; I only heard the story last month, but I shall 
 watch when the seventh month comes. Now it's your 
 turn.' 
 
 9 
 
I30 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Shall I tell you one of our school stories ? ' asked 
 Hsin Chen. 
 
 ' Yes, if you like. Go on, I'm getting sleepy.' 
 
 ' I thought of it last night when your lantern went 
 out,' began Hsin Chen. ' It is about some bridesmaids 
 who were waiting to receive the bride. The Bridegroom 
 had gone out to meet her in a sedan chair, and it was 
 evening, and night came before they arrived. So they 
 had to light their lamps, and they trimmed the wicks 
 and sat down to wait. They waited so long that they 
 fell asleep, and did not wake till someone shouted, 
 " The Bridegroom is coming." Then they found all 
 their oil was burnt up, and they had to hurry and fill 
 the lamps again. But some of them had forgotten to 
 bring more oil, and the rest only had enough for them- 
 selves ; and when the Bridegroom came, those with the 
 lamps went into the feast, and the others had to stay 
 outside.' 
 
 ' They were lazy, and it served them right,' said Ti-ti. 
 
 ' Well, but suppose father had not taken more 
 candles, your lantern would not have been burning 
 last night.' 
 
 ' Oh, I'm a boy. It's a girl's duty to trim lamps. 
 I'm going to bed now,' said Ti-ti. 
 
 Hsin Chen followed him, and was soon in the land 
 of dreams. 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 KOU GETS A NEW NAME 
 
 rpHE school recommenced at the heginning of the 
 -*- second month. One or two pupils were kept at 
 home by illness, but there were two new scholars to 
 take their places. Kou returned with permission to 
 unbind her feet, wrung from her mother after a stormy 
 interview. 
 
 ' Never will I acknowledge a big-footed daughter,' 
 said she in conclusion. 'Do as you hke, you un- 
 natural girl. Your father turns against me, and your 
 brother upholds you. It is only in T'ien Pao that I 
 find any comfort. Go to your mother-in-law, and let 
 her support you. Never return to my house if you 
 unbind your feet ! ' 
 
 After this outburst Mrs. Wang took to her bed, 
 and remained there until Kou had been sent off, 
 sobbing, in T'ien En's charge, only half comforted by 
 her father's assurance that he would come and visit 
 her in the holidays, and that her mother would forgive 
 her some day. 
 
132 Children of Cathay 
 
 Very carefully the unbinding process was begun. 
 Day by day the bandages were loosened slightly, and 
 bigger shoes were worn. Presently the feet gained 
 sufficient strength to be able to dispense with bandages 
 altogether, and then they were rubbed with oil to 
 soften the muscles and allow the turned-in toes to 
 straighten out again. It cost Kou a good deal of 
 pain, but she bore it bravely. From this time she 
 was never called by her old name Kou, ' Enough,' but 
 by the npw name, Ngen-hwa, ' Flower of Grace.' 
 
 The summer holidays took place in June at the 
 time of the wheat harvest. Ngen-hwa and Ngai-tsi 
 were fetched by Mr. Liu, and worked heartily and well 
 to help at the busiest time of the year. Each morning 
 they sallied forth with the rest of the family, armed 
 with such knives and sickles as they could find to cub 
 the wheat and bind it into bundles. Mrs. Liu re- 
 mained at home to prepare food and guard the house. 
 All the neighbours were equally busy on their 
 own little farms, and the village presented a lively, 
 picturesque scene. Those who possessed a cart, loaded 
 it with sheaves ; others piled the wheat on wheel- 
 barrows, or carried it home on their own shoulders. 
 
 When all had been reaped and gathered home, it 
 was placed in a great heap oh the threshing floor. 
 The women and girls sat on one side, and cut off all 
 the ears of wheat, tossing the bundles of straw out of 
 the way. Then the men came, and took the ears. 
 
Kou gets a New Name 133 
 
 spreading them carefully in a level layer on the 
 smooth floor. Then they covered the corn with straw 
 and harnessed a couple of oxen to a huge round stone. 
 Standing in the middle of the circle, Mr. Liu drove 
 the oxen slowly round and round over the grain. The 
 feet of the animals and the heavy stone crushed the 
 ears of corn, and the chaff fell away from the seed. 
 Then the oxen were led off, the straw was lifted, and 
 the grain and chaff together was swept up into a heap 
 to wait for the winnowing. 
 
 On a bright, windy day, Mr. Liu and his eldest son, 
 with flat wooden spades, tossed the wheat high into 
 the air. The heavy grain fell down at their feet, 
 while the light chaff was blown away like a cloud. 
 It appeared as if fires had broken out all over the 
 countryside, so much did the pale yellow chaff 
 resemble a puff of smoke. When the grain was all 
 separated and cleaned, it was carefully stored in a 
 large crate of matting which stood in the living-room 
 of the house. 
 
 Before the wheat harvest was well over, the silk- 
 worms began to hatch. The sheets of paper on which 
 the eggs were deposited had been hung round the 
 walls all the winter. Now the little worms were 
 carefully laid in shallow baskets upon fresh mulberry 
 leaves, torn into fine shreds by Ngai-tsi and Ngen- 
 hwa. How fast they grew! In three days they 
 were too big for the baskets, and were removed to 
 
134 Children of Cathay- 
 
 mats, which were laid upon the k'angs in the big 
 room. A couple of benches, standing on the k'ang, 
 with two boards upon them, supported another mat. 
 The family turned out of their rooms and spent the 
 nights where they could, some sleeping in the kitchen, 
 some under a cart, and some on the threshing floor. 
 The precious silkworms must be protected from 
 draughts at all costs. The girls sat up all night 
 to feed the hungry creatures. The small supply of 
 mulberry leaves which grew around the village was 
 soon exhausted, and then the boys had to go for miles 
 to buy a fresh bunch every day. The silkworms ate 
 ravenously the whole time until they were nearly two 
 inches long. Then they ceased, and for two days 
 crawled sluggishly over one another. The accustomed 
 eyes of Mrs. Liu noticed the signs which told that 
 the worms were ready to spin. She placed branches 
 of fir and bundles of straw on the mats, and the silk- 
 worms, creeping amongst them, spun their cocoons of 
 pale pink, yellow, or white silk. 
 
 When the last cocoon was finished, they were 
 carefully gathered up, weighed, and carried to market 
 by Mr. Liu. 
 
 ' Ten pounds of cocoons ! We have done well this 
 year. I shall be able to pay for your schooling 
 myself, Ngen-hwa,' said Mrs. Liu. 
 
 It was a relief to be able to clean out the rooms 
 and sleep once more under the roof. Silk-spinning 
 
Kou gets a New Name 135 
 
 ■was carried on in the towns. In the village they had 
 not the needful machinery, so merchants visited the 
 country districts each year to buy up the raw silk. 
 
 The girls returned to the town for a short summer 
 term of two months. It was not until the autumn 
 holidays that Ngen-hwa heard of other changes 
 which had taken place in her old home. 
 
 Mrs. Wang had been the less unwilling to let 
 Ngen-hwa leave home, because she had T'ien Pao's 
 promised bride to live with her and help in the 
 house-work. This girl was siirong and well grown,, 
 and not at all afraid of her mother-in-law. This in 
 itself struck Mrs. Wang favourably, and the girl had 
 a better time in consequence. T'ien Pao was getting 
 on weU at school, and was extremely well satisfied with 
 himself. He derided his brother's attempts to read, and 
 lost no opportunity of teasing and worrying him. One 
 day he found T'ien En puzzling over his hymn-book. 
 
 ' What are you reading, scholar ? ' he asked. 
 
 ' Hymns,' answered T'ien En briefly. 
 
 ' And what do you do with hymns, eh ? ' 
 
 ' We sing them at our services.' 
 
 ' Ho, ho ! so you are going to be a priest as well 
 as a scholar ! No one but a priest sings hymns and 
 chants. Are you going to leave the home and shave 
 the head ? ' 
 
 The Buddhist priests take a vow of celibacy, and 
 are therefore said to ' leave the home.' 
 
136 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Indeed I am not,' answered T'ien En indignantly. 
 ' I serve the true God, not Buddha.' 
 
 ' And who are you to speak against Buddha ? Are 
 you wiser than the elders of the village ? ' 
 
 ' No, I am not wiser, but I have heard the message 
 of the true God, and ' — 
 
 ' Now what are you boys quarrelling about ? T'ien 
 En, can you never leave your brother alone ? ' said 
 Mrs. Wang, who had just come up. 
 
 ' Oh, mother, he is learning the foreigner's hymns to 
 sing at the worship of the foreign devils,' said T'ien 
 Pao. 
 
 ' They are not foreign devils, they are good men,' 
 retorted T'ien En. 
 
 ' No more of this nonsense,' replied his mother. 
 " I will burn the books, and there shall be no more 
 running off every seventh day to spend the time in 
 idleness in the town. You shall join those who go to 
 pray for rain to-morrow. I have enough to bear from 
 my neighbours without having them say that my son 
 has joined the foreign devils ! ' 
 
 ' Oh, mother, I can't join the procession to-morrow 
 I will stay at home and pray to the Heavenly Father 
 to send rain.' 
 
 ' And why can't you join the procession, pray ? 
 Are you too holy to pray with the others, I should 
 like to know ? ' said Mrs. Wang, getting more and 
 more angry. 
 
Kou gets a New Name 137 
 
 ' But they will pray to the idol, and that is a sin. 
 I can only pray to the true God.' 
 
 'And will my son speak against the gods in my 
 house ? ' screamed Mrs. Wang. ' The spirits of our 
 ancestors will desert the tablet if they hear such 
 blasphemy ! ' 
 
 Some ixeighbours came in, hearing the raised voices. 
 T'ien Pao was grinning with delight to watch the 
 altercation. 
 
 ' Mother, the spirits of our ancestors are not in the 
 tablet. The Heavenly Father alone knows where they 
 are.' 
 
 ' Hush ! do not speak of the spirits of the dead," 
 said another woman. ' It is unlucky.' 
 
 ' Oh, my son is turning against me ! He is dis- 
 obedient and unfihal ! He follows the foreigners, and 
 neglects his parents,' wailed Mrs. Wang. 
 
 ' He is a Christian, mother,' said T'ien Pao quietly. 
 
 ' A Christian ! One of those who use the eyes of 
 children to make medicine, who bewitch women, and 
 blow away the rain-clouds ! T'ien En, you do not 
 worship with the Christians, do you ? ' 
 
 'Yes, mother, I do,' answered T'ien En bravely. 
 ' They are good and gentle ; they do not bewitch 
 people, and their religion is better than ours. I will 
 belong to them.' 
 
 Having boldly stated his convictions, nothing could 
 move the boy from his decision. The upbraidings of 
 
138 Children of Cathay 
 
 his mother, the entreaties of his friends, and the jeers 
 of his brother had no result. 
 
 With one final burst of wrath, Mrs. Wang loaded 
 him with curses, and sent him from the house, teUing 
 him never to return to bring disgrace upon his father's 
 name. 
 
 Tien En quickly gathered up his few possessions, 
 and left the yard. He found his father in the field, 
 and told him what had happened. 
 
 ' I am going to earn my own hving, father,' he said. 
 ' If you ever want me, I will come back.' 
 
 ' Ah, my boy, your mother's temper is very violent 
 Take my advice, and choose a meek wife. It saves so 
 much trouble,' said Mr. Wang mildly. ' Perhaps you 
 had better leave home for a time. Where will you go ? ' 
 
 ' I shall go to Mr. Liu's to-night. He will tell me 
 what to do. I am strong. I will do cooHe-work or 
 anything.' 
 
 ' Well, let me know where you are. I shall have to 
 hire a labourer when you are gone. Your mother never 
 thinks of me.' 
 
 So they parted, and T'ien En pursued his way 
 across the fields. Mr. Wang watched him with some 
 regret, but it never entered his mind that he might 
 oppose his wife. He had so long pursued the policy 
 of ' Peace at any price ' that he could not now rouse 
 himself to assert his authority in the house. 
 
 When he returned home, he found that the supper 
 
Kou gets a New Name 139 
 
 was burnt and his wife's wrath waa descending upon 
 the little daughter-in-law, who was screaming violently. 
 T'ien Pao was nowhere to be seen, and Mr. Wang took 
 his pipe, and sat down outside, to wait till quiet should 
 be restored. 
 
 Meanwhile T'ien En reached Mr. Liu's house, anjJ 
 was welcomed with surprise. On telling his story, 
 Mr. Liu cheered him much by saying — 
 
 ' Well done ! You have bravely confessed your faith. 
 In God's Word it is said, "Whoso loveth father or 
 mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me." Now 
 your family knows on whose side you are.' 
 
 ' Yes, they know, and my mother has cast me out,' 
 the boy replied sadly. 
 
 ' Wait awhile ; perhaps she will alter her mind. 
 Now tell me your plans.' 
 
 ' I must get work somewhere, but it must be near 
 the Christians. I want to learn more, and serve Christ 
 all my life.' 
 
 ' Can you carry loads or push a barrow ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, I can do either ; I am very strong.' 
 
 ' Well, I know of a piece of work which might suit 
 you. Mr. Thirwall asked me to recommend a coolie 
 to push the barrow for the colporteurs whom he is 
 sending out this autumn on a long tour. It will be 
 very hard work, and small pay. But you will have 
 days of rest, when the colporteurs stop in a town to> 
 preach. Will you try ? ' 
 
I40 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Oh yes, I will, gladly,' replied T'ien En. 
 
 ' I will write a letter for you to take to Mr. 
 Thirwall, and to-morrow you can go. Best here 
 to-night. You are welcome.' 
 
 Mr. Thirwall was glad to secure the services of 
 such a strong, willing lad. During the week before 
 the tour commenced, T'ien En assisted the workmen 
 who were busy whitewashing the boys' school. His 
 quiet, hard-working disposition made a very favourable 
 impression on Mr. Thirwall, and he decided that the 
 boy would be a valuable helper in future, if he 
 remained constant to his present purpose. 
 
 The tour was a time of testing. The two evangehsts 
 — Li-T'sung-Chu and Chang -Hsiin-Tei {i.e. Li, the 
 Follower of the Lord, and Chang, who Practises Good 
 ■Conduct) — carried their own personal luggage on their 
 shoulders. The wheel-barrow was laden with heavy 
 parcels of books and pamphlets. When the store was 
 nearly exhausted, T'ien En had to return to the city 
 for a fresh supply, while Li and Chang waited for him 
 in the town where he had left them. Sometimes the 
 journey took four or five days, and by the end of the 
 tour, which lasted a month, more than a hundred and 
 fifty miles had been covered. But T'ien En never 
 flagged, and had won golden opinions from his com- 
 panions for his good-temper and willing work. 
 
CHAPTEE XV 
 
 A SEASON OF TEIAL 
 
 TT was very difficult to plough the land and sow the 
 -'- wheat that autumn on account of the drought which 
 had set in and threatened to become serious. Snow fell 
 in small quantities during the winter, but it was not 
 sufficient to nourish the crops. When the New Year 
 holidays once more came round, Agnes went to visit 
 some Swedish friends who had given her a hearty invi- 
 tation, and Eva spent some time with Mrs. Davis in the 
 city. They talked much of the serious prospect before 
 them if the drought continued and the crops failed. 
 
 ' Eain may fall in the spring, and then all will be 
 well,' said Mrs. Davis. ' It is of no use to go out to 
 meet troubles.' 
 
 ' But it is just as well to have some plan formed, 
 in case troubles come,' said Eva. 'We shall not 
 probably meet again before the harvest.' 
 
 They tried to think of some device for helping the 
 poor farmers and peasants in case of widespread 
 
 distress, but at last gave up the attempt. 
 
 Ill 
 
142 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' Women can do so little. We have such limitations 
 out here. It is the men who must do relief work,' 
 eaid Mrs. Davis. 
 
 ' At anyrate we can get relief for them to distribute,' 
 said Eva. ' I shall write at once to friends at home, 
 and make an appeal for help.' 
 
 During the New Year holidays, Mrs. Davis held a 
 special series of classes for women. They came in 
 from their village homes and stayed in the city for 
 some days, eager to learn, giving all their time to 
 listening and reading. 
 
 Mrs. Davis and Eva, with the help of Li-T'sung-Chu 
 and two or three of the Bible-women, gave daily 
 classes on different subjects. Those who attended 
 were Christians of some standing; the special object 
 of the classes being to give more advanced teaching to 
 those who had already begun the Christian life. 
 
 One young woman listened with special attention. 
 Eva had noticed her in the house before, and asked 
 Mrs. Davis who she was. 
 
 ' Her story is a sad one,' said Mrs. Davis. ' She 
 was born during a terrible famine, eighteen years ago. 
 Her parents both died, and she was adopted by a 
 kind-hearted peasant woman. When she died, her 
 foster-father betrothed her to a neighbour's son. Now 
 he is dead, and the family have left the neighbour- 
 hood, refusing to take her with them, as they are 
 very poor. She was brought to me six months ago 
 
A Season of Trial 143 
 
 by a Christian woman in her village. I was glad 
 to be able to take her in, for my old amah got 
 60 feeble that she could not manage the boys at 
 all. So now Pearl waits on me and looks after the 
 children.' 
 
 ' But surely it is rather awkward to have a young 
 woman like that in your household,' said Eva. 
 
 ' Well, Chang-Hsiin-Tei came to me only the other 
 day, saying that he took an interest in the boy Wang 
 T'ien En, and wanted to get him a wife. He hinted 
 that Pearl would be a very suitable match for him ; 
 but I cannot bear the idea of arranging these 
 marriages without consulting the young people.' 
 
 ' I suppose it would be possible to ask her opinion ? ' 
 said Eva. 
 
 ' I fear she would never tell me candidly. She 
 would say, "Let the mother-teacher decide," and then 
 go and cry her eyes out if she thought I wanted to 
 get rid of her,' said Mrs. Davis. 
 
 ' Do you know if the boy wishes to marry her ? ' 
 asked Eva. 
 
 ' Mr. Chang hinted as much to me, I like the lad. 
 He has been driven from home because he has become 
 a Christian. Mr. Thirwall employed him for a month 
 in the autumn, and since then he has worked for 
 different people in the town, sometimes carrying water 
 or pushing a barrow, just making a living. Mr. 
 Thirwall sees that he does not starve, but wishes him 
 
144 Children of Cathay 
 
 to be independent, and T'ien En gets nothing from the 
 mission, though he is sometimes employed as errand boy.' 
 
 On the very next day T'ien En appeared, bearing 
 a note from Mr. Thirwall. While he waited for an 
 answer, Pearl crossed the yard with the children, but 
 on seeing him, took refuge in another room. 
 
 Later on she came in to speak to Mrs. Davis. 
 
 ' Well, Pearl, what is it ? ' 
 
 ' Mother-teacher, I have heard that the young man 
 who brought the letter is suffering persecution for the 
 sake of the gospel, and he has now no mother to wash 
 his clothes and mend them.' 
 
 ' Yes, Pearl, it is true ; he is very ragged.' 
 
 ' Could the lady arrange for me to wash and mend 
 his clothes ? ' Pearl was blushing, but kept on steadily. 
 
 ' Yes, Pearl, I will do so if you are willing to help 
 him. I will speak to Mr. Davis about it.' 
 
 So Pearl went away, and Mrs. Davis and Eva 
 laughed over the simple ruse which Pearl had adopted 
 to show her feelings. 
 
 ' It is evident she must have heard of the proposed 
 match, and favours it,' said Eva. 
 
 'Yes, indeed. I saw Mrs. Chang talking to her 
 last night after the class. Perhaps she was sounding 
 her on the subject.' 
 
 ' Well, now I hope the course of true love may run 
 smooth ! ' said Eva. 
 
 Through Mr. Liu, permission was obtained from Mr. 
 
A Season of Trial 145 
 
 Wang for the betrothal to take place. Mrs. Wang 
 refused to hear T'ien En's name mentioned, and Mr> 
 liu reported that T'ien Pao incited his mother to 
 maintain her anger towards his brother. Mr. Wang 
 promised to come to the city and see his son some 
 day. 
 
 On her way home from her visit, Agnes called for 
 her sister, and the two returned together to Tung An. 
 They were overwhelmed with fresh applications from 
 pupils whose parents wished them to enter the school, 
 and could not understand the sudden eagerness for 
 education. Mr. Wu enlightened them. 
 
 ' Ah, doctor Ma,' he said, ' famine is before us, and 
 the people know you will not let your pupils starve. 
 They want to be relieved of the support of the 
 children.' 
 
 It was too true. Eain did not fall ; the springing 
 crops were blighted, and withered away, and the 
 farmers saw plainly that famine was inevitable unless 
 spring showers moistened the land. 
 
 China is so vast a country, and its means of 
 communication are so poor, that one district may 
 produce abundant crops, and yet be unable to supply 
 another region which is suffering from famine. The 
 roads are but tracts in the sand. The waterways are 
 often rendered useless by flood or drought. There 
 are no railways in the interior, and the only means 
 of carrying provisions from one part to another are 
 10 
 
146 Children of Cathay 
 
 three — by mule-cart, pack-mules, and coolie-labour. 
 These are all slow, expensive, and quite inadequate to 
 supply a large district. 
 
 As the schoolhouse could only take in twenty-five 
 pupils, the number was limited, and many applicants 
 had to be turned away. The young teacher Chang 
 seemed to have it laid upon her heart to dwell much 
 upon the subject of suffering and persecution. She 
 gave a course of lessons to the elder girls on the 
 wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness, and 
 their many difficulties and wars before settling in the 
 Land of Promise. She also pleaded most earnestly 
 with the girls that they would decide for Christ while 
 yet young, and so grow strong to resist temptation 
 when they should leave the shelter of the school. 
 
 One night Agnes went into the courtyard at a late 
 hour, and noticed a light burning in one of the bed- 
 rooms. She found a little group of the girls kneeling 
 on the floor, praying for forgiveness, and sobbing with 
 sorrow for sin. How gladly she joined them, and prayed 
 with them till each was assured of pardon ! 
 
 The evangelist Wu was also encouraged by the 
 increased earnestness of many who had been in 
 constant attendance at the services. The number of 
 inquirers also grew, and before the harvest holidays 
 came round a little church was formed, and the bread 
 and wine of the Lord's Supper were shared by two 
 foreigners and ten Chinese. 
 
A Season of Trial 147 
 
 It was with great reluctance that the girls went 
 home in June. 
 
 'There is no harvest to reap. Let us stay and 
 learn something more/ they pleaded. 
 
 But the rules of the school must be adhered to, and 
 teachers and scholars parted with regret. Had they 
 any premonition of future events ? There was no 
 warning of the thunderbolt about to fall, and no one 
 thought that years must elapse before some of them 
 would meet again in the famiUar schoolhouse. 
 
 Usually it was impossible to do much mission-work 
 of any kind during the harvest season, but this year 
 the farmers gathered their scanty crops in a few days, 
 and the grain was beaten out and garnered very 
 quickly. 
 
 ' We have only one-tenth of the usual crop. What 
 shall we do in the winter ? ' they asked. * 
 
 Eva and Agnes decided to make a tour of the 
 villages near at hand, and try to reach some of the 
 women whom they could not find at leisure at other 
 times. Everywhere was the same distress. In many 
 cases the peasants were seUing their goods and pre- 
 paring to move from the district. The fear of famiae 
 drove them ; the gaunt wolf. Hunger, was howling at 
 their heels ; northward, southward, eastward, westward 
 they wandered, flying from starvation. 
 
 With a sad heart Eva Martin directed the carter 
 one day to take them to Mr. Liu's village. They had 
 
148 Children of Cathay 
 
 spent the night in a neighbouring town, so reached 
 the village before noon. Yet, early as it was, they 
 found the villagers assembled in the chapel. They 
 were singing a closing hymn, and as they streamed 
 out, they greeted the visitors with a hearty welcome. 
 
 ' Are you holding special services to-day, Mr. Liu ? 
 It is not Sunday,' said Agnes. 
 
 ' All this week we have had three meetings daily 
 to pray for rain,' he answered. ' It is hard for the 
 people to be patient. Perhaps the Lord will provide 
 a way of escape for us, or it may be He has lessons 
 to teach us by the famine.' 
 
 Mrs. Liu came up with offers of hospitality. 
 
 'Oh no,' said Eva, 'you must not prepare a meal 
 for us. We have brought food in the cart.' 
 
 But the good woman insisted that they must take 
 something at her house ; so Eva produced a packet of 
 tea, and begged for some hot water. Then, taking 
 their cakes of bread, they ate a simple meal. The 
 family refused to join them. 
 
 ' We have had our breakfast, just before the 
 meeting,' said Kgen-hwa. ' We shall have supper at 
 sunset.' 
 
 ' We are all eating two meals a day now,' said Mr. 
 Liu. 
 
 ' What are your plans for the future ? ' asked Eva. 
 
 ' If no rain falls to allow us to plant the autumn 
 crops, we must move away. I have heard that in a 
 
A Season of Trial 149 
 
 city ten days' journey to the north food is cheap and 
 work can be had. Perhaps we shall go there.' 
 
 The girls did not prolong their tour, and soon 
 returned home. Mr. Wu gave them a sad account of 
 the prospects of the people near them. He was also 
 anxious for their personal safety. 
 
 ' They say that your presence here causes the 
 drought,' he told them. ' They think also that you 
 have large stores of grain and silver in the mission- 
 house. I have heard a rumour that you may be 
 attacked some night.' 
 
 ' Do you think it likely to happen ? ' asked Eva 
 calmly. 
 
 ' Not yet, perhaps, but if the people get desperate, 
 I cannot tell what wUl happen.' 
 
 ' Could we help them in any way ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, you must on no account give away anything,' 
 replied Wu hastily ; ' that would only make them sure 
 that you have stores hidden here. You had better 
 write to Mr. Davis and ask his advice. He has been 
 through famines before.' 
 
 But before a letter could be despatched, that same 
 night a messenger arrived from the city, bringing 
 serious tidings, which decided their action at once. 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 A SEASON OF PERIL 
 
 A LTHOXJGH China refuses to allow railways to be 
 -^^ made in the interior, she has discovered the 
 great utility of the telegraph, and all the chief cities 
 of the empire are connected by the familiar wires. 
 Clerks, trained at Shanghai or some port, are put 
 in charge of the different offices; their knowledge 
 of English is sufficient to allow them to transcribe 
 messages, even if they cannot understand them, so 
 that Chinese and English messages are all transmitted. 
 During the long-continued drought the unrest and 
 anxiety of the people manifested itself in anti-foreign 
 demonstrations. In one district, to the west of the 
 city where Mr. Davis lived, the people had conceived 
 the notion that the telegraph had something to do 
 with their distress. The words 'yang kan,' spoken 
 with one intonation, meant ' foreign poles,' and with 
 another intonation, 'foreign drought.' Hearing the 
 telegraph poles called ' yang kan,' some of the ignorant 
 peasants thought that the poles caused the drought, 
 
 160 
 
A Season of Peril 151 
 
 and proceeded to pull them down for miles. Strange 
 to say, a shower of rain fell soon afterwards, and this 
 confirmed the idea in the minds of the people. 
 
 The governor of the province, who lived in the 
 same city as Mr. Davis, was friendly, and in favour of 
 reform, and promptly quelled any anti-foreign rising. 
 He himself had been one of the advisers of the young 
 Emperor, Kwang Hsii, when he took the reins of 
 government and instituted many sweeping reforms. 
 But the country was not prepared for hasty changes, 
 and the well-meant efforts failed. By the cowp d'itat, 
 the Dowager Empress regained her power, scattered 
 or killed the Eeformers, and imprisoned the Emperor. 
 Tuan Fang had escaped through feigning madness, and 
 also by the intervention of a relative who was of the- 
 Empress Dowager's party. He had been appointed 
 governor of this distant province, on his supposed 
 recovery, in the hope that he would be too far from 
 the coast, and from the centre of affairs, to interfere 
 in politics. 
 
 Kumours of trouble in the country district, anxiety 
 about Eva and Agnes Martin, and fear for the safety 
 of the native Christians, prompted Mr. Davis to ask 
 for an interview" with the governor. Before the 
 appointed hour had come, a telegram was brought t» 
 the mission-house. It was in the "Welsh language, and 
 Mr. Wood had to be sent for to translate it. It came 
 from a friend in Shanghai, who had used Welsh so 
 
152 Children of Cathay 
 
 that the telegraph clerks should not understand, 
 knowing that Mr. Wood came from Wales and would 
 be able to read it. The message ran : ' A great war 
 has broken out. The allied troops have taken the 
 Ta-ku forts and now besiege Pekin. The fate of 
 the missionaries there is not known. Others near 
 the coast have escaped. Why don't you retire ? ' 
 
 On hearing this, Mr. Davis realised that other 
 dangers threatened them besides famine -riots and 
 local anti-foreign feeling. He at once sent off a letter 
 to Tung An, relating all that had happened, and asking 
 the girls to come in to the city at once, bringing with 
 them the necessaries for a long journey, so that they 
 might be prepared in case they had to leave the 
 district. This was the letter they received, which 
 caused them such regret, but took from them the 
 responsibility of decision. One day was spent in pre- 
 parations for departure. A message was sent to all 
 the Christians who lived near, asking them to come in 
 for a meeting after sunset. Mr. Wu was told all the 
 sad news, and assisted them in every way. He hired 
 a, cart to start at sunrise the next day, saw the chief 
 magistrate of the town, and asked him to seal up the 
 house and take it under his protection when the ladies 
 were gone, and arranged with all the tradesmen to send 
 in their accounts immediately. 
 
 The school-yard was closed, all the furniture being 
 packed away and locked up. Then the pretty little 
 
A Season of Peril 153 
 
 rooms were dismantled, and all the ornaments, curtains, 
 and rugs laid away safely. Two small Chinese boxes 
 contained the personal luggage of the sisters — a set of 
 English clothes, and a change of Chinese garments for 
 the journey, a few books and writing materials. Then 
 a box of provisions was packed, containing tinned meat 
 and milk, with a few other necessaries. The bedding 
 for the journey was rolled up in a native quUt-case. 
 Chung T'Lag was willing to accompany his mistress. 
 Ch'in Si was well paid and dismissed to his home. 
 
 Then when evening drew near the Christians came 
 in, wondering why they had been called ; and great was 
 their grief when they heard the circumstances which 
 obliged the ' foreign teachers ' to leave them for a time. 
 After a short devotional service, they separated with tears, 
 praying that God would protect the ladies on their way. 
 
 While it was yet dark, the travellers arose and gave 
 Mr. Wu his last instructions. The schoolhouse and 
 missionaries' home were all in order for official inspec- 
 tion and sealing. Only the chapel and front yard 
 were to be left open for Mr. Wu and his family, who 
 promised to act as caretakers. The cart drove up, the 
 lucgage was put in, and with sad farewells, the ladies 
 and their faithful escort set off on the long day's 
 journey to the city. 
 
 It was evening when they reached the gates, and 
 they entered just as the doors were to be closed for the 
 night. The cart rumbled over the badly paved streets 
 
154 Children of Cathay 
 
 till the mission-house was reached. Stiff and tired, 
 they dismounted, and left Chung T'ing to attend to the 
 luggage and pay the carter. 
 
 ' Oh, I am so thankful you did not delay ! ' said 
 Mrs. Davis. ' We were afraid you might not think the 
 situation serious. Are you very tired ? ' 
 
 ' Well,' said Agnes, ' fifteen hours in a cart in July 
 ■cannot be called exactly restful, but we are not 
 prostrate, at anyrate, and are most anxious to hear 
 the news.' 
 
 ' Come and have supper, and you shall hear all while 
 you eat. The boys are in bed, for we must make an 
 early start to-morrow.' 
 
 ' To-morrow ! ' exclaimed both the girls. ' Is it 
 necessary to leave so hastily ? ' 
 
 ' I will tell you all that has happened, and you will 
 understand,' said Mr. Davis. ' That telegram from the 
 coast was serious, was it not ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, it was. But still we are so far inland that we 
 need not be alarmed for our immediate safety, and going 
 to the coast seems like going into danger,' said Eva. 
 
 ' Yes, but wait till you hear. I went to the 
 governor's court for the promised audience, and was 
 most graciously received with the usual crowd of 
 attendants and officials. I wanted a private interview, 
 BO I remarked that there were too many eyes and 
 ears present, and the governor took the hint and led 
 me to a small room, where we talked for two hours.' 
 
A Season of Peril 155 
 
 ' " Too many eyes and ears," ' laughed Agnes. 
 ' What a lovely circumlocution ! How truly Chinese ! ' 
 
 'Don't interrupt, Agnes,' said her sister. 'Please 
 go on, Mr. Davis.' 
 
 • The governor was most friendly, and expressed 
 great concern for our safety. He said that as long 
 as he could protect us, not a hair should be harmed ; 
 but you would have to. come in to the city, and all 
 mission-work amongst the villages must cease. Then 
 he said that the summer would be very hot, and the 
 famine had begun, and what could we do, a mere 
 handful among the millions who will suffer ? He 
 strongly advised us to go south, and spend a few 
 weeks in the hills, and promised us an escort of 
 soldiers if we wished. Finally, he said that his 
 appointment depended on the pleasure of the Empress 
 Dowager. If he did anything to annoy her, he would 
 be at once removed from office, and he could., not say 
 what the disposition of his successor might be. I 
 promised to consult with my colleagues, and let him 
 know our decision. It was evident he was most 
 anxious to have us safely out of the way, and as I 
 took my leave, he said that if we would arrange to ga 
 to the coast till matters settled down, he would see- 
 that we were well guarded all the way. I did not 
 mention the telegram from Shanghai. If he knows 
 of the war, he concealed the fact ; and if he does not, 
 there was no necessity to tell him of it.' 
 
156 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' It is certainly very good of him to take so much 
 trouble on our account/ said Eva, ' but do you think 
 it is necessary ? I hardly feel justified in leaving the 
 district for this reason.' 
 
 ' No, but there is something more,' said Mr. Davis. 
 ' Mark Thirwall was waiting to see me when I got 
 back from the interview. You know he has been 
 very friendly with the telegraph clerks. They came 
 first for medicine, and then wanted to have some 
 lessons in English, as they knew so little. By this 
 means they have been about the mission - house a 
 great deal, and evidently feel much gratitude to Mr. 
 Thirwall. Late at night one of them came in and 
 asked to see him alone. He said that messages had 
 been passing through the office of such importance 
 that he felt the missionaries ought to know. One 
 day last week an edict came from the Empress 
 Dowager that all foreigners in the province were to 
 be killed on a certain day. The governor received 
 this, and evidently does not mean to act upon it. 
 He also had a number of " hei-t'ie-tsi," or anti-foreign 
 placards, to post up, but these have been suppressed. 
 After he had gone, asking Mr. Thirwall not to betray 
 his confidence, the other clerk came on the same 
 errand. Each felt it laid upon them to save us if 
 possible, but neither dared to tell the other.' 
 
 ' They are brave fellows,' said Eva. ' What would 
 happen to them if they were found out ! ' 
 
A Season of Peril 157 
 
 ' Now you see the reason for our decision,' said Mrs. 
 Davis. ' The governor knows that we are doomed, and 
 wishes to help us away without alarming lis. He is really 
 endangering his own head,for when the Empress Dowager 
 knows what he has done, how furious she will be ! ' 
 
 ' Yes, I see now that we must go,' said Eva ; ' but 
 what can we do for the Christians and scholars and 
 servants ? They must be helped in some way ; we 
 cannot leave them to face everything alone.' 
 
 ' I have consulted with the colporteurs Li and 
 Chang, and with Paster Hoa,' said Mr. Davis. ' They 
 all think that if the foreigners are gone, the people 
 will not persecute the Christians. Then, too, most 
 of our people must scatter, at anyrate in the country 
 districts, to get food more cheaply. Thirwall and 
 Wood most generously offer to stay for a time and 
 settle things as they best can, leaving me to escort 
 you and the children to the coast.' 
 
 ' It is very good of them,' said Agnes. ' I know 
 they will be able to travel more easily without us, 
 but that does not lessen their courage in staying in 
 the face of danger.' 
 
 ' They will come in early to-morrow to see us start,' 
 said Mr. Davis. ' We cannot go until the town 
 magistrate calls. When I sent to tell the governor 
 we hoped to start to-morrow, if you came to-night, he 
 replied that an escort would be ready, and this official 
 would come to make his adieux.' 
 
158 Children of Cathay 
 
 ' So now to bed,' said Mrs. Davis. ' Sleep as well 
 as you can. We shall have time in the morning to 
 do final bits of packing ! ' 
 
 Before retiring, they knelt together to pray for 
 Ood's blessing on their journey, and to thank Him for 
 providing a way of escape for them from the midst of 
 such unexpected danger. 
 
 Eva then wrote down a number of messages for 
 Mr. Thirwall concerning the house in Tung An and 
 the school. Then they slept peacefully, and woke 
 refreshed in the early morning. 
 
 ' How strange it is that one wicked woman should 
 have so much power in China ! ' said Agnes. ' In this 
 land, where women are so downtrodden, one can hardly 
 understand it.' 
 
 ' But you must remember that the rulers of China 
 are Manchus, not real Chinese,' said Eva. ' The Manchus 
 treat their women very differently. The Empress 
 Dowager has not bound feet, and as she was originally 
 trained to be a slave in the harem, she received more 
 education than an ordinary lady would have.' 
 
 ' Why ? ' asked Agnes. 
 
 ' Oh, because she would have to amuse her mistresses 
 by playing and singing and reading stories,' replied 
 her sister. ' Now she has risen to such a high 
 position, by the favour of the present Emperor's 
 father, no doubt she is glad of her early training. 
 But we must get up and prepare for our journey!' 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 FLEEING FOE LIFE 
 
 "ly/TE. DAVIS had ordered five sedan chairs, and 
 -'-'-'- three mules for the luggage. He had arranged 
 with his Chinese teacher to accompany the party, as 
 they might need a man of education to transact 
 official business on the journey. The boxes and 
 bedding were packed on the huge wooden saddles of 
 the mules. The ladies were placed in their chairs, 
 and Jamie and Harold shared one between them. 
 They were highly delighted at the prospect of the 
 long journey, and the seniors sometimes wondered 
 how they would fare if danger threatened and the 
 children had to be concealed. 
 
 But all were wonderfully calm. It did not seem 
 to be at all like escaping for Ufe, but rather like the 
 preparations for a holiday trip. 
 
 Mr. Thirwall and Mr. Wood came from their house 
 to wish the travellers God-speed. 
 
 ' Our difficulty about Pearl and T'ien En has cleared 
 up marvellously,' said the former to Mrs. Davis. ' T'ien 
 
 159 
 
i6o Children of Cathay 
 
 En's father came in quite unexpectedly yesterday, 
 with sad news. His crops have failed, like other 
 people's, and he is in great poverty. Then his wife 
 has fallen ill of fever, and there is no one to nurse 
 her except the younger son's betrothed, who is only a 
 child. He has come to fetch T'ien En home ; so Pearl 
 and he are to be married to-day by the pastor, and 
 will return with Mr. Wang to-morrow.' 
 
 ' I am afraid, from all accounts, that Pearl will have 
 a hard time with her mother-in-law,' said Mrs. Davis. 
 ' T'ien En has grown so much more manly and 
 self-reliant during the months he has had to fend 
 for himself, that I think he will be able to shield his 
 wife,' answered Mr. Thirwall. ' I have great hopes 
 of him. Since he has become a Christian, he has 
 gone forward steadily, and will be a splendid helper 
 in the church before long.' 
 
 Eva was meanwhile intrusting Mr. Wood with 
 many last messages for Tung An. She asked him to 
 have a Chinese letter written to Mr. Wu, explaining 
 the reasons for their flight, and directing that a 
 messenger should be hired to carry the news to each 
 pupil's home that the school would not reopen at 
 present. Then a special letter must be sent to the 
 Teacher Chang, who had no knowledge of the troubles 
 that had arisen, since she left the school at the end of 
 the term. There were other messages to other people, 
 all of which Mr. Wood promised faithfully to deliver. 
 
Fleeing for Life i6i 
 
 A present had been selected, and sent to the wife 
 of the governor, of the best that the mission-house 
 could afford. An easy-chair, a box of scented soap, 
 and some tins of preserved fruit were chosen, as being 
 all of foreign manufacture, and not likely to be found 
 in a Chinese lady's house. 
 
 Presently the city magistrate came, accompanied by 
 an official bearing a message of thanks and good 
 wishes to the foreigners for the prosperity of their 
 journey. The ladies, with curtains down, were 
 carried out through the door into the street, where a 
 crowd had collected, attracted by the laden mules and 
 waiting soldiers. Mr. Davis lingered to greet the 
 magistrate, and then entered his chair, leaving final 
 arrangements in the hands of Mr. Thirwall. The 
 teacher was mounted on a brisk little pony. One 
 servant had climbed on to the back of a pack-mule, 
 while the other walked beside the chairs. 
 
 So they streamed out through the east gate, and 
 commenced the long coastward journey. When they 
 halted for the bearers to rest, they were received with 
 great respect. The soldiers evidently inspired awe, 
 though Agnes was much amused at the equipment 
 which they considered necessary. Four of the 
 soldiers were mounted, and eight walked. Their 
 jackets were edged with a broad border of red, and 
 on the back and front were sewn large circles of 
 calico, bearing the name and number of their 
 II 
 
1 62 Children of Cathay 
 
 regiment. The mounted soldiers wore large leather 
 boots, but the others wore straw sandals and carried 
 a pair of cloth shoes. Each had a large straw hat, 
 tied under the chin with calico strings, and each 
 carried an umbrella and a fan. As for arms, one had 
 a rifle, another a spear, and a third bow and arrows. 
 There was no uniformity in that respect ; but they 
 were strong, sturdy fellows, and evidently meant to 
 protect their charges from rudeness or insult. 
 
 Towards evening the party reached a river, which 
 was easily forded, though in times of flood it was 
 impassable for days. The drought had caused it to 
 shrink to an insignificant stream. There was no 
 bridge over it. A magnificent row of stone arches 
 half a mile away marked the spot where the rulers of 
 former years built a bridge across the river. But 
 after it was completed at great cost, the river 
 changed its course, and now it flows parallel to the 
 bridge and at some distance away. This tendency of 
 Chinese streams to alter their course has bafiflied native 
 engineers for many centuries. 
 
 That night was spent at an inn on the plain, and 
 early next morning the travellers commenced a long 
 climb of two thousand feet along a path which was as 
 steep as a staircase in many places. The foreigners 
 all left their chairs, common humanity forbidding 
 them to allow the bearers to carry them up such an 
 ascent. But a stout Chinese, who was following the 
 
Fleeing for Life 163 
 
 same path, had no such scruples. He had paid to be 
 carried, and he would be carried. So his groaning 
 bearers struggled up the steep road under his weight. 
 
 ' Oh, mother, look at that naughty man ! ' said Harold. 
 ' Why does he make those poor men carry him ? ' 
 
 ' Well, Harold, you must be glad that you can 
 walk uphill. See what lovely flowers we can gather, 
 while that man cannot pick them ! ' 
 
 Jamie agreed with his brother that such a selfish 
 person could not be a good man. But when they 
 reached the top of the hill, and sat down at a 
 wayside inn to rest, Harold ran up to the stranger's 
 chair, supposing it to be his mother's, and was received 
 with a smile and a stick of candy. He then thought 
 that perhaps the fat man was not so bad after all, 
 and shared the idea, and the sweetmeat, with Jamie. 
 
 A magnificent panorama lay before them. As far 
 as the eye could reach, peak beyond peak filled the 
 landscape. A jutting crag hid the plain they had left, 
 and nothing but mountains could be seen. Although 
 the sun was high, the air was fresh and bracing on the 
 heights, and the spirits of the travellers rose as they 
 resumed their journey. A turn in the path showed 
 them the plain, far below, veiled by the heat-mists of 
 a summer morning. They mounted their chairs, and 
 the bearers cheerfully took up the burden, remarking 
 among themselves, ' It is certainly better to carry 
 foreigners than our own countrymen.' The path 
 
1 64 Children of Cathay 
 
 •wound round the face of the hillside, and was some- 
 times very narrow. Mrs. Davis cautioned her little sons 
 that they must sit very still in the chair, but she was 
 anxious about them until the ridge was safely crossed, 
 and the path descended a rocky valley, following the 
 bed of a stream. Lovely butterflies flitted by. Bright- 
 plumaged birds darted in and out amongst the trees. 
 The terraced rice-fields were luxuriant and green, 
 being supplied with water from the heights above. 
 
 • Oh, Agnes, what a change from our parched fields ! 
 If only our poor people could come this way,' said Eva. 
 
 As she spoke, they caught sight of a little party 
 of travellers. The father carried two baskets 
 slung from the ends of a long pole. In one were 
 some garments, upon which rested a small child 
 not two years of age. In the other were some pots 
 and pans and a couple of live fowls. The mother 
 carried a tiny infant in her arms and a bag of 
 grain on her back. Two little children ran beside 
 them, gathering sticks as they went along. 
 
 This was the first band of emigrants they passed 
 on the mountain-journey. The next one consisted 
 of two people only, a young man carrying his aged 
 mother on his back. From the famine-stricken plain 
 people were flocking southward, and in some fertile 
 districts the influx was so great that proclamations 
 were issued to prevent others from coming, and a 
 guard was set on the chief roads. 
 
Fleeing for Life 165 
 
 That night was spent at a tiny inn, the dirt and 
 discomfort of which can hardly be described. The 
 mules had arrived first, and Chung T'ing, who was 
 riding that day, had swept out the poor guest-rooms, 
 and laid the bedding on the k'angs. He had also 
 bought a chicken, which he was broiling in native 
 fashion, so that a prospect of food and rest cheered 
 the travellers. Mr. Davis ordered his servant to 
 carry a rough table and benches into the yard, 
 preferring the open air to the close dark rooms ; so 
 supper was laid in rough-and-ready fashion with the 
 enamelled cups and plates carried in the provision 
 boxes. While they took a meal, Chung T'ing heated 
 some water, and they were glad to remove the dust 
 and stains of travel before retiring for the night. 
 A sheet of native oilcloth was first spread upon 
 the k'ang. The wadded quilt and pillows were laid 
 upon this. A tent of mosquito netting was hung 
 from a projecting beam, and when the two sisters 
 crept inside they tucked the edges well under the 
 quilt, to protect themselves, not from mosquitoes, but 
 from humbler, less respectable, foes. Despite these 
 precautions, a wakeful, restless night was spent, and 
 no one was sorry to hear a voice at the door calling, 
 ' Get up, get up, the men are preparing to start.' 
 
 Though it was yet dark, the inn was noisy with 
 the tinkling of mule-bells and the cries of the men. 
 As soon as the foreigners opened their doors, the 
 
1 66 Children of Cathay 
 
 servants ran in, rolled up the bedding, and handed 
 it to the muleteers. A cup of tea and a roll of 
 native bread were hastily taken, and without regrets 
 the dismal inn was left behind. 
 
 That day, at noon, as they were resting by the 
 roadside, Mr. Davis hailed a man who was passing by. 
 
 ' Hallo, friend, are you not the postman ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, foreign teacher. Are you travelling south- 
 ward ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, my friend. Will you allow us to take our 
 letters from your packet ? ' 
 
 ' Certainly, sir, with pleasm'e ! ' 
 
 So the home mail was received with joy, and the 
 postman went on his way with a lightened bundle 
 and a small gift. 
 
 The letters, written three months before, were 
 cheerful and full of news. No thought of special 
 danger had weighed on the hearts of the writers. 
 Mrs. Davis had her children's school news, the girls 
 heard from their mother and other friends. News- 
 papers and magazines promised them amusement for 
 days. 
 
 As night came, their hearts sank, as they thought 
 of the dreary inn and dirty rooms ; but after all, 
 it meant only a few hours of discomfort, and that 
 mattered little on an escape from death. 
 
 So the days passed on until the ninth from leaving 
 the city. The following evening would bring them 
 
Fleeing for Life 167 
 
 to the riverside, where they would embark for a 
 boat journey. On coming near a Httle town, the 
 teacher was greeted by messengers from the military 
 official resident there with the request that the foreign 
 gentleman would visit the Yamen. The ladies and 
 children were taken to an inn. Mr. Davis got out a 
 clean gown, and set out to pay his visit. 
 
 On reaching the Yamen, he was received with a 
 blare of trumpets, and when he entered the courtyard 
 the mandarin fell on his knees. Mr. Davis helped him 
 to rise, and with mutual compliments they went into 
 a side room, where tea and cakes were served. After 
 a little poHte conversation, the mandarin said that 
 he had received a letter, written by the governor's 
 own hand, charging him to take care of the foreigners 
 like brothers, and declaring that he would be held 
 responsible if harm befell them in his district. Now 
 a riot had occurred some ten miles away, and so 
 great was his solicitude, that he felt he could do 
 no less than escort the foreigners to the river bank, 
 and he was prepared to accompany them that same 
 day, on his pony. Accordingly, when the bearers 
 started once more, they were followed by the mandarin 
 on his wiry steed. When the river was sighted the 
 next day, he dismounted, made Mr. Davis a profound 
 salutation, and then rode home again, satisfied that 
 he had done his duty and fulfilled the wishes of the 
 governor. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 THE ESCAPE BY THE HAN EITEE 
 
 TN a hollow of the hills, where the mountains 
 J- divided and sloped down to the river, stood the 
 little town of Mu-t'a-kwan, the ' River-port of the 
 Wooden Pagoda.' On a hilltop above the town a 
 many-storeyed pagoda reared its head, and was much 
 respected for the good luck and busy trade which its 
 presence brought to the inhabitants. 
 
 Here a mission-house was established, in which 
 ■dwelt Mr. Callender with his wife and family. A 
 telegram had been received from Mr. Davis, asking 
 that boats should be hired for the party ; but no ex- 
 planations were given, and when the travellers arrived, 
 they were greeted with many questions. The hos- 
 pitable hostess drew the ladies into her pretty, bright 
 «itting-room, while the boys at once fraternised with 
 the young Callenders, who carried them off to see the 
 ■cow and calf, and other wonders of the home. Mr. 
 Davis and the servants paid and dismissed the chair- 
 fcearers, and made a present to the soldiers, who, 
 
 183 
 
The Escape by the Han River 169 
 
 however, refused to leave until the responsibility of 
 escorting the foreigners had been handed over to the 
 gunboat official, who had not yet arrived. 
 
 When all had assembled, Mr. Callender asked, 
 ' What made you leave in such a hurry ? Your 
 telegram amazed us.' 
 
 So the long story was told, and the faces of the 
 listeners grew serious. 
 
 ' No doubt our governor has received the same 
 instructions as yours. But this is an anti-foreign 
 province, and most likely he is preparing to carry 
 out the Empress* Dowager's commands. What do 
 you advise us to do ? ' said Mr. Callender 
 
 ' Have you noticed any special demonstration of 
 ill-will lately ? ' asked Mr. Davis. 
 
 'Nothing extraordinary. The people are never 
 very friendly, and I certainly have seen them laughing 
 .and jeering more than usual when I pass up and down.' 
 
 ' Then I think you had better accompany us to- 
 night,' said Mr. Davis. ' Do you think you can pack 
 up and be ready, Mrs. Callender ? ' 
 
 ' I could be ready, but we have not hired a boat, 
 and there are many things which need to be settled 
 before we can leave the house. Do you not think we 
 should let our friends go on ahead, and follow them 
 to-morrow night, John ? ' 
 
 ' Yes,' replied her husband. ' We shall attract less 
 notice in small parties, and after the excitement of 
 
lyo Children of Cathay 
 
 your arrival and departure, the people will not expect 
 us to go away, and we shall manage to slip off easily. 
 We may perhaps overtake you.' 
 
 Just then Chung T'ing, who had been helping to 
 put the luggage on the boats, came in with news that 
 the gunboat had arrived, the delay being caused by 
 the shallowness of the river, which obliged the men 
 to get out and tow the boat for some miles. The 
 head man was conferring with the soldiers. 
 
 ' It is wonderful, you know, to have a gunboat meet 
 you here,' said Mr. Callender. 'How was it arranged ? ' 
 
 ' Our governor telegraphed to his friend the southern 
 viceroy, and between them they arranged to escort 
 us across this corner of your province, knowing your 
 governor to be unfriendly,' said Mr. Davis. 
 
 ' Then both of them must have considered the 
 situation serious,' said Mr. Callender. ' I see how 
 important it is for us to escape without delay.' 
 
 Then the little party left the mission-house by a 
 back door and went to the river bank by secluded 
 paths. They found the boats in readiness. Mrs. 
 Callender had sent down extra matting for the roof, 
 to protect them from the fierce summer sun. She 
 had also stocked each boat with vegetables, flour, eggs, 
 and chickens. The servants bought two native stoves 
 and a supply of charcoal for cooking. 
 
 Eva and Agnes took possession of one boat. Two 
 soldiers were told off to travel with them, and Chung" 
 
The Escape by the Han River 171 
 
 T'ing also followed his mistress. Mr. and Mrs. Davis 
 and the boys, with their servant and guard, occupied the 
 next boat, and the gunboat was anchored alongside. 
 
 The little craft were about forty feet long. The 
 middle portion was covered with an arched roof of 
 matting, while the two ends were open. The captain 
 stood on a tiny deck at the stern, in charge of the 
 great rudder. Under the roof, the space was divided 
 into four compartments, the partitions being about 
 three feet high. The floor was made of bamboo poles, 
 about eight inches apart, and between these the bottom 
 of the boat could be seen, moist and slimy. Just in 
 the middle it was possible to stand upright. 
 
 The girls soon arranged matting on which to sleep, 
 and hung up curtains to secure a measure of privacy. 
 As the night threatened to be wet, the soldiers and 
 Chung T'ing had to sleep under cover; so Eva and 
 Agnes occupied the two centre compartments, leaving 
 the two end ones for the men. Wrapping themselves 
 in their quilts, they soon fell asleep, despite the un- 
 easy couch of bamboo poles and matting. Before a 
 glimmer of daylight appeared, they were awakened by 
 the shouts of the boatmen as they cast off the ropes, 
 and prepared to commence the journey. Stiff, and 
 aching in every limb, they rose, finding that a seat on 
 a box was preferable to lying down. 
 
 Chung T'ing was soon busy preparing breakfast in the 
 front part of the boat, and the sisters were glad to 
 
172 Children of Cathay 
 
 draw back the curtains and let in the fresh morning air. 
 The scene was lovely. Hills of red earth sloped to the 
 water's edge. Woods and fields clothed their fertile sides. 
 The blue sky above was flecked with hurrying white 
 cloudlets, and everything looked peaceful and prosperous. 
 
 They did not draw near to Mr. Davis's boat all 
 day, but saw it beside them on the river. At night 
 they anchored close together, and were invited to 
 come on board for supper. The little boys were full 
 of chatter, and wanted to tell the aunties all their ad- 
 ventures : how they had fished with a line over the side, 
 and how they had shared the boatman's dinner of rice. 
 While Agnes played with them,Mrs. Davis said to Eva — 
 
 ' To-morrow we are warned that we shall pass a 
 dangerous place, a town where anti-foreign feeling is 
 strong, and the soldiers say that we must shut up the 
 front and back of the boat, and keep very quiet all 
 day. The boys have been simply riotous to-day, and 
 I want to ask if you and Agnes would mind having 
 one of them to-morrow, just to keep them apart ? ' 
 
 Eva gladly consented, so Jamie was carried off, 
 jubilant, to sleep on the other boat, and the girls were 
 occupied all the next day devising quiet games and 
 telling stories, so that they quite forgot their own 
 danger till they were safely past the unfriendly spot. 
 When his parents came to fetch him in the evening, 
 he declared that he found the boat more comfortable 
 than their own, and preferred to stop. 
 
THEY FORGOT THEIR DANGER TILL THEY WERE SAFELY PAST. 
 
The Escape by the Han River 173 
 
 ' Oh no, young man,' said his father. ' You must 
 come back and play with Harold/ and he explained 
 that a few miles would bring them to the big river, 
 where, in midstream, any sounds would not be heard 
 on the banks. 
 
 So they glided down the broad breast of the stately 
 river Han, leaving the mountains behind them. They 
 were so far from the shore that they could hardly 
 distinguish figures on the bank, and their narrow boat 
 seemed very frail to float on such a mighty stream. 
 Even at this point, some five hundred miles above 
 Hankow, where its waters are poured into the 
 Yang-tse-kiang, the Han is as wide as the Thames 
 at London Bridge. 
 
 In the afternoon a great city was reached, and here 
 they must change from the small craft to a larger 
 kind of vessel, more suited to the journey on the Han. 
 Some missionary friends entertained them for the 
 night, laughed kindly at their fears, and invited then> 
 to stay for a time, and then return when their district 
 was quieter. Not a hint of coming trouble had 
 reached them, and they could hardly credit the 
 gravity of the situation. Yet only a week later a 
 telegram was received, urging instant flight, and they 
 had to follow Mr. Davis's party with all speed. 
 
 The new boats were far more comfortable than the 
 old ones. They had boarded floors, walls, and roofs, 
 and rooms completely divided from one another. The 
 
174 Children of Cathay 
 
 smaller of the two, which was occupied by Eva and 
 Agnes, had a nice little square cabin, with a table and 
 two stools in it, while a smaller room had a raised 
 platform or bed. Behind these two was a room 
 occupied by the boatman's wife and family. They 
 were quite a happy party, as there were no hired 
 sailors, who so often quarrel, and cause delay and 
 discomfort. The captain, with his eldest son and a 
 nephew, managed the boat. His younger son of about 
 fourteen helped them, while the wife cooked their 
 food and looked after her youngest child, a boy of five. 
 
 Eva tried to get into conversation with the woman, 
 but found that she spoke a different dialect, and could 
 not understand. So they made friends with the Uttle 
 boy by giving him some cakes and sweets, and often 
 found him peeping through the doorway to watch them. 
 
 The heat began to be very oppressive during this 
 part of the journey. It was July, the hottest month 
 in China, and often, when anchored at a wharf whUe 
 Chung T'ing went to buy food, the girls lay on their 
 hard bed, gasping for breath and unable to make any 
 exertion. When the boat was going at a fair speed 
 ■downstream, a pleasant breeze blew in at the open 
 door, but when stopping for the night, every crack 
 must be closed, for fear of the pirates who infest the 
 Han Eiver. These robbers have the practice of blowing 
 in the smoke of some drug between the planks of a 
 boat where the crew is all asleep, and then, when they 
 
The Escape by the Han River 175 
 
 are made insensible, the pirates can with impunity 
 rifle the contents of the boat, and get clear away before 
 the effects of the drug are lost. 
 
 When the doors were closed, and the little window 
 opening carefully shuttered, the heat which had been 
 absorbed during the day by the roof and walls caused 
 the tiny sleeping-room to become unbearably hot, and 
 the girls would rise and fan themselves, or open the 
 window for a few moments to get a breath of the cool 
 night air. 
 
 The soldiers on the gunboat beat a gong at intervals 
 to show that they were awake and to ward off any 
 evil-disposed people who might be planning robbery. 
 After the first few nights the girls did not notice the 
 noise, and slept peacefully if the heat would allow them. 
 
 They had now reached the friendly province of 
 Hupeh, and each evening took a short walk on the 
 land, when the anchorage was reached. 
 
 One morning the sky looked threatening, and the 
 boatmen remarked to one another that a storm was 
 coming on. Suddenly a black cloud arose, and with 
 all speed the helm was put about; but before they 
 could reach the shelter of the bank, the storm was upon 
 them. An exciting time ensued, until the anchor 
 was safely buried in the bank. After half an hour of 
 pouring rain and a hurricane of wind the storm ceased 
 as suddenly as it had begun. The anchor had been 
 dragged some yards from its position. 
 
176 Children of Cathay 
 
 As they neared Hankow, the riverside population 
 seemed less friendly, and one day Chung T'ing came 
 hurrying back to the boat from the town where he had 
 been marketing with a long face, saying that threats 
 had been used. The other boat came up, and Mr. 
 Davis heard the story, but thought that the boy was 
 exaggerating. He stepped on shore, but soon returned, 
 followed by a crowd of young men and boys, who 
 pelted the retreating boats with bricks and clods of 
 earth. After that, the evening walks were discontinued, 
 and the travellers concealed themselves untU Hankow 
 was reached. 
 
 Before gaining the foreign wharf, many miles of 
 river edged with houses and streets on both sides were 
 traversed. On the east bank of the Han is Hankow, 
 and on the west bank, Hanyang, both large and 
 populous cities. The shipping grew denser, until at 
 last the boatmen left their oars and poles, and worked 
 their craft along by pushing with their hands against 
 the sides of other vessels. 
 
 ■ The river narrows as it nears the Yangtse, and the 
 last half-mile was a perilous one, as the boats tossed 
 on the foaming waters and were carried far out into 
 the stream of the main river. Slowly the sailors 
 worked their way to shore and stopped at the foot of a 
 great flight of steps leading from the water to the bund 
 or embankment, which is a favourite promenade for 
 the residents in Hankow. 
 
CHAPTEE XIX 
 
 FKOM HANKOW TO SHANGHAI 
 
 TTANKOW is a great inland port, some six hundred 
 -*--*- miles from the mouth of the river Yangtse. 
 A large piece of land with a fine river-front is occupied 
 by foreigners, and is known as the Foreign Settlements 
 Here are noble buildings standing in beautiful gardens,, 
 occupied by consuls, bankers, and merchants. Here ia 
 the Eussian church surmounted by its cross, and 
 opposite to it the Anglican church. Several missionary 
 societies have long-established and successful work in 
 this city — hospitals, schools, churches, and orphanages- 
 for the teeming Chinese population. In the settlement 
 the streets are broad and well-kept, but in the narrow 
 lanes of the city filthy pools reek and beggars swarm, 
 exposing their loathsome sores to excite pity. 
 
 To the weary travellers it was a return to Western 
 civilisation after years of isolation amid Chinese 
 surroundings. Tung An was twenty-five days' journey 
 behind them, and now, as they stepped upon the em- 
 bankment, and saw the European gentlemen clad in. 
 
 12 
 
178 Children of Cathay 
 
 cool white flannel suits, the years seemed like a dream, 
 and they could fancy themselves watching the tennis 
 players on a hot summer day at home. But the voice 
 of Chung T'ing recalled them to the present. They 
 took leave of the boatman's family, and then followed 
 Mr. Davis to the house of a friend, where they could 
 wait for a steamer to take them on to Shanghai. 
 They were all received with a hearty welcome. 
 
 ' We have been so dreadfully anxious about you,' 
 said their host. ' All the foreign ladies were ordered 
 ■down to Shanghai a fortnight ago. We got your 
 telegram saying you had started, but during the long 
 journey so much might have happened.' 
 
 ' Have many other parties passed through Hankow ? ' 
 asked Mr. Davis. 
 
 ' You are the first to arrive from the north,' was the 
 reply. ' Several have come from the west and south, 
 and some of them have suffered terribly. You must 
 have got off remarkably well, for you do not seem to 
 be much the worse for the journey.' 
 
 ' On the contrary, we have enjoyed it,' said Eva. 
 ' If it had not been for the thought of our famine- 
 stricken friends, we should have had no care at all.' 
 
 ' Well, some had to escape through the midst of a 
 riotous crowd, and were knocked about by bricks and 
 other missiles. One man, with his wife and baby, got 
 away in a cart, but were stopped and had all their 
 luggage stolen. Some friendly folks helped them to 
 
From Hankow to Shanghai 179 
 
 get away on foot, and they were followed by a lad who 
 brought a tin of condensed milk from their own stores 
 for the baby. After a week of hiding by day and 
 walking by night, they got here safely, and went down 
 to Shanghai a few days ago.' 
 
 ' Is any trouble expected here ? ' asked Mr. Davis. 
 
 ' The viceroy is exerting his utmost influence to 
 keep the peace at present, but he has a well-drilled 
 army, and all the way from here to the coast the 
 forts are armed and camps are dotted along the banks. 
 At any moment his policy may change, for he keeps 
 his own counsel, and though he seems very friendly, 
 he has not committed himseK to any definite line of 
 action.' 
 
 ' What action have the foreign troops taken ? 
 asked Agnes. 
 
 ' As far as the Yangtse valley is concerned, they 
 have sent several gunboats to guard Shanghai, and 
 there are others at Chin-kiang, Nanking, and here 
 also. Most of the allied forces are now at Pekin, 
 fighting to liberate the foreigners who are shut up 
 within the walls.' 
 
 ' Have you no news of Pekin ? ' said Mrs. Davis. 
 
 ' Nothing definite at all,' was the reply. ' The tele- 
 graph lines have been cut, and we only hear rumours 
 from Chinese sources. We can only hope and pray 
 that our friends may be able to hold out till relief 
 reaches them.' 
 
i8o Children of Cathay 
 
 It was decided that the party should push on to 
 Shanghai by the steamer which would call at Hankow 
 the same evening. The two servants spent the day 
 on the wharf, unable to tear themselves away from 
 the new and wonderful sights they saw. Little steam 
 tugs puffed about officiously ; a shallow steamer 
 bound for the upper reaches of the river paused to 
 take up passengers and luggage. On the opposite 
 bank of the river, three miles away, lay the great city 
 of Wu-chang, and they could hear the beating of 
 drums and the blare of trumpets as a regiment was 
 drilled outside the wall. The river was busy with 
 native craft of all kinds, from the tiny sampan, which 
 looked like a mere cockleshell on the water, to the 
 great junk with lofty mast and many-ribbed sail. 
 Westward the mighty Han poured its waters into the 
 stream, and a dangerous whirlpool was the result of 
 the confluence, the noise of the foaming, tossing waves 
 causing a dull roar, continuous and deep. 
 
 Up and down the steep flights of steps leading to 
 the water's edge passed a constant stream of coolies, 
 carrying luggage down to the boats, or laden with 
 mud from the river-bed. Dredgers and steam-cranes 
 had not yet replaced cheap human labour, and it was 
 sad to see the dull, vacant faces surmounting such 
 splendid physical frames. 
 
 Along the streets, to the Russian warehouses, 
 passed the coolies with the chests of fragrant tea, 
 
From Hankow to Shanghai i8r 
 
 leaving the air laden with a pleasant, refreshing scent. 
 They steadied the carrying pole with one hand, while 
 in the other they held the bamboo strips or tallies 
 which were to form a check upon the safe delivery of 
 the goods. Their plaintive, monotonous cry, repeated 
 and echoed incessantly, and the whirring of the insects 
 in the trees, filled the air with busy stir and hum. 
 
 At last night fell, and taking leave of their kind 
 entertainer, the travellers went down to the wharf, 
 and found the steamer waiting. The servants had 
 placed the luggage on board. All the cabins reserved 
 for foreigners were full, but a row of Chinese cabins 
 was railed off from the Chinese quarters, and put at 
 the disposal of late-comers. The little boys were 
 quickly tucked into bed, and left in charge of a 
 servant, while the older people watched the lights of 
 Hankow fade into the distance as the steamer started 
 on its eastward journey. 
 
 Next morning they made the acquaintance of their 
 fellow-passengers. Nearly all of them were refugees, 
 and had some sad story to tell of trouble and suffering. 
 One Eoman Catholic priest from Hunan had escaped 
 by hiding in a hole in a rice-field for some days. 
 He had seen two of his companions tortured, one 
 having his eyes put out. 
 
 A young Norwegian couple, newly married, were 
 driven back from their holiday trip by anti-foreign 
 riots. They reached their home, and were besieged in 
 
i82 Children of Cathay 
 
 it, hardly daring to cross the yard, for fear of the 
 stones which were constantly being thrown over the 
 wall. At last they managed to reach the river, and 
 embarked on this steamer. A party of medical 
 missionaries from Hunan told how their hospital was 
 attacked and wrecked, and how, when the ladies were 
 placed in sedan chairs to be carried away, the mob 
 dragged them out again, and searched for hidden 
 treasure which might be concealed in the chair. 
 
 ' Although we have come farthest, we seem to have 
 fared best,' said Agnes. 
 
 ' How grateful we ought to be to the governor, Tuan 
 Fang,' said Mrs. Davis. ' If he had not befriended us, 
 how could we have escaped ? I feel that, under God, 
 he has been the means of saving our lives.' 
 
 ' Yes, he has indeed,' said Eva. ' I wonder how we 
 can show our gratitude. Is there any way that you 
 can think of, Mr. Davis ? ' 
 
 ' The consul at Hankow had a very complimentary 
 letter written in Chinese to send to him. When I 
 told him all that Tuan Fang had done, he was 
 astonished at his goodness. I also learned that Tuan 
 Fang has a son at school in Shanghai. Perhaps we 
 can do somethiag for him, but I fear our thanks 
 would only embarrass him, as he will want to keep 
 quiet about his friendship with foreigners when the 
 Empress Dowager finds out what has been done.' 
 
 ' Well, we must wait, and take any opportunity we 
 
From Hankow to Shanghai 183 
 
 can of speaking a good word for him. The British 
 consul at Shanghai must know, of course,' said Agnes. 
 
 ' Oh yes, I shall inform him of all the efforts the 
 governor made to help us. Now just look at this 
 lovely scenery. Those are the Twin Islets. That 
 building on the summit of one is a monastery. Ifc 
 can only be reached by the steps cut in the rock.' 
 
 ' What a lonely place to live in ! It is such a tiny 
 island,' said Agnes. 
 
 ' Yes, merely a rock, but the hermits are regarded 
 with great veneration.' 
 
 All day long they sat on deck, watching the 
 changing panorama of mountains, sky, and river. A 
 few more passengers were taken on, among them a 
 poor young widow with several children, whose husband 
 was a clerk in the Customs. He had died of fever, 
 and the previous day she came down to take the 
 steamer for Shanghai, hoping there to find some means 
 of supporting herself and the children. But in the 
 confusion and hurry her one little boy slipped off the- 
 gangway and was carried away by the river. Half- 
 maddened, she had rushed on shore, and all day the 
 men tried to recover his body. But it was useless, 
 and now she was starting again with the three tiny 
 girls, blind with grief, hopeless and despairing. Eva 
 and Agnes did their best to help and comfort her. 
 Mrs. Davis had tried at first, but the sight of Jamie 
 and Harold, healthy and happy, seemed to reopen the 
 
184 Children of Cathay 
 
 "wound, so Mrs. Davis had to keep away from the 
 -cabin. 
 
 At Nanking a sad burden was brought on board. 
 The body of a young paymaster who had died of fever 
 on a gunboat was carried up the gangway by his fellow- 
 officers, and accompanied by them to Chinkiang, where 
 4 miUtary funeral was held in the foreign cemetery. 
 
 The commander came to see that all was arranged 
 in order, and before leaving, spoke some words of 
 sympathy to the refugee missionaries, and congratulated 
 them upon their escape. 
 
 On the third day, Shanghai was reached. Anxious 
 friends rushed on board to seek their relatives and 
 •colleagues. Hospitality was freely proffered, and no 
 one could do too much for the entertainment of those 
 who had escaped from the jaws of death. Many 
 •were the questions as to the welfare of absent friends 
 of whom no news had been heard. Were they safe ? 
 Had they escaped ? 
 
 No one could tell. Those Chinese officials who had 
 carried out the commands of the Empress Dowager 
 ■had taken the precaution to cut the telegraph wires 
 which could convey a message to the coast, and weary 
 -weeks elapsed before faithful Chinese servants or 
 -evangelists brought the stories of suffering, imprison- 
 mnent, persecution, and massacre to the coast. 
 
 Just three weeks after the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Davis, Mr. Thirwall and Mr. Wood reached the coast. 
 
From Hankow to Shanghai 185 
 
 They had distributed what relief they could to the 
 poorest Christians, and were busy in organising 
 emigration parties, when one day the town officials 
 sent to them to say that they must positively leave 
 at onjee, as the situation was becoming critical. So 
 they joined a party of missionaries who were passing 
 through the city from a still more distant station, and 
 travelled with them safely to Shanghai. 
 
 Still the fate of those within the walls of Pekin 
 was unknown. Hope sank in every heart, until one 
 day the joyful news was flashed through the town, 
 ' Pekin is relieved, and the Europeans are safe ! ' 
 The settlement seemed to go mad with joy. A 
 thanksgiving service was held in the cathedral, for 
 those who were restored after such perils. 
 
 As the court had fled, and established itself in the 
 far north-west, and as matters seemed to be far from 
 a settlement, it was thought best for Mr. and Mrs. 
 Davis, with their children and the Martins, to return 
 to England for a furlough. Before leaving China, 
 Mr. Davis was able to secure the house of Tuan Fang 
 at Pekin from pillage and destruction, and all were 
 glad that some form of practical gratitude was possible. 
 
 It was with sad hearts that the sisters bade fare- 
 well to the land where they had spent happy years 
 and made many friends, but they looked forward 
 hopefully to a speedy return with renewed vigour and 
 fresh opportunities of work for the Master. 
 
CHAPTEE XX 
 
 AFTEK THE STOEM 
 
 "OUT what of those whom the foreigners left behind 
 -■-' them, those who could not escape from the 
 famine-stricken, strife-riven country where their lot 
 was cast ? When Wang T'ien En and his young 
 wife went with their father to the country home, they 
 found poverty and suffering far greater than had been 
 seen in the city. Mrs. Wang lay tossing on her 
 bed, often delirious and highly fevered. The little 
 daughter-in-law was but a child, and could not 
 manage to cook properly and tend the sick woman. 
 
 T'ien Pao complained loudly of the discomfort 
 which he suffered, but was too selfish to help in the 
 household work. Had it not been for old Mrs. Si, 
 the kindly neighbour, who came in every day to do 
 what she could, Mrs. Wang would have died of neglect 
 before her son could reach her. 
 
 The new daughter-in-law, Pearl, began at once to 
 mend matters. She set the house in order, and won 
 the allegiance of her little sister-in-law, who was glad 
 
 186 
 
After the Storm 187 
 
 to have her burden of responsibility lifted. Though 
 it was very difficult to get suitable food for the invalid, 
 basins of rice-water and millet-broth were prepared, 
 which the sick woman drank eagerly. Pearl had 
 learned in the mission - house that fresh air and 
 cleanliness were great aids to health, and under her 
 care Mrs. Wang began to get better. Her hard 
 spirit was broken by the suffering she had passed 
 through, and she showed no return of her anger 
 against T'ien En. She accepted Pearl's services 
 gratefully, and when her husband told her that she 
 was T'ien En's wife, she showed satisfaction, though 
 weakness prevented her from saying very much. 
 
 When she was convalescent, the news came that 
 Mr. Liu and his family had moved away to the 
 northern mountains. Eor some time the good man 
 had been living on leaves which he plucked from the 
 trees and boiled, so that a greater portion of corn 
 might be left for his family. The poor people dug 
 up all sorts of roots, gathered berries and wild dates, 
 collected the seeds of grasses, leaves, and mosses, all of 
 which they used for food in some way. The cows and 
 donkeys were sold to anyone who would buy them, 
 as the owners could not feed them. The once 
 prosperous peasants lost all they hadj and at last 
 Mr. Liu decided that they must leave the district. 
 A change of clothing was packed in bundles, a few 
 precious books were put inside, cooking utensils, a 
 
1 88 Children of Cathay 
 
 little store of grain, and all the money that could be 
 gathered, were piled on to a wooden wheel-barrow and 
 secured with stout ropes. Mr. Liu pushed the barrow, 
 and his two sons pulled in front. Mrs. Liu and 
 Ngen-hwa walked slowly, as both were weakened 
 by famine. Little Ngai-tsi had been claimed by her 
 parents-in-law, for they feared to lose her altogether 
 if she took the long journey to the northern 
 mountains. Mr. Cheng, her father-in-law, thought 
 it better to move into the city, where grain was 
 stored, and where relief would be distributed by the 
 magistrates if the famine continued. 
 
 Then came the news of the awful massacres of 
 foreigners and Christians in the neighbouring province. 
 A messenger had been despatched by Mr. Thirwall, 
 before he left the district, to the missionaries in the 
 next province, to tell them of the events which had 
 led to his colleagues' departure. But when the man 
 reached the fords of the Yellow Kiver he heard a 
 story of treachery and murder, and saw on the bank 
 the bloodstained shoe of the lady who had been slain 
 with her husband and child by the escort who had 
 falsely promised to lead them to a place of safety. 
 The man returned, horror-stricken, but was too late to 
 tell Mr. Thirwall, who had already left. 
 
 With fiendish cunning the wicked governor had 
 guarded all the roads by which escape was possible. 
 He had decoyed as many foreigners as he could into 
 
After the Storm 189 
 
 the capital, with promises of protection, and then im- 
 prisoned and murdered them all. Yet the Christians, 
 who witnessed the fate of their teachers and friends, 
 refused to recant and give up their faith, and many of 
 them perished in the same way. 
 
 Hearing of the good confession made by their 
 fellow-Christians, those under the protection of the 
 friendly governor, Tuan Fang, were strengthened in 
 their faith, and rejoiced that so many were faithful 
 unto death. Persecution was not their lot, but the 
 horrors of famine increased. 
 
 After the flight from Pekin, the Empress Dowager 
 and her great court moved westward, until they 
 reached the city where Tuan Fang ruled. He was 
 removed from office, but his life was spared, as one 
 of his relatives was a favourite with the Empress. 
 Even her hard heart was touched as she travelled 
 through her mighty empire, and saw the desolation 
 of her people. It is reported that she refused to take 
 her meals for some days after arrival at her palace, 
 but wept for the sufferings of the peasants. 
 
 The young Emperor, Kwang Hsii, was brought in her 
 train, but was treated as a prisoner, and was not per- 
 mitted to send letters or messages away. He contrived 
 to convey a message to the telegraph clerks, who trans- 
 mitted it to Pekin. This was discovered, and the clerks 
 who had warned Mr. Thirwall were publicly beheaded. 
 
 The army of thirty thousand soldiers and camp- 
 
I go Children of Cathay 
 
 followers had to be fed, and this further impoverished 
 the district. During the following winter thousands 
 of people died in the streets, and were carried out- 
 side the walls for burial. Human flesh was offered 
 for sale in the city. People ate greedily chaff and 
 cotton-seeds instead of bread. 
 
 In the spring, the brighter weather brought but 
 little cheer. No rain had fallen, and the wheat had 
 not been sown. Eelief began to arrive from America, 
 England, and other pitiful nations. But the weakened 
 frames of the people could not assimilate the food when 
 it came, and many died after help had reached them. 
 In the autumn, some of the missionaries were able 
 to return, to distribute famine relief. They found 
 that the faithful pastor and evangelists had been 
 caring for their scattered flock, strengthening them 
 spiritually and encouraging them in their distresses. 
 
 Here is a letter written by Li-T'sung-Ohu to Mrs. 
 Davis, after the return of her husband. 
 
 ' To Mrs. Davis, Dr. Martin and Teacher Martin, 
 happiness and peace. To commence. Since I last 
 saw you, in the fourth month of last year, more than 
 a year has passed. I have not sent you one letter, 
 and certainly the fault is mine. I hope you will all 
 forgive me. I have seen Mr. Davis, and have heard 
 news from him. 
 
 ' The Christians of this district have received grace 
 
After the Storm 191 
 
 and help from God ; they have escaped persecution, 
 but could not avoid the misery of famine. This is 
 the grace of God, who wished to test His people and 
 show forth their faithful conduct; because when the 
 famine is over, the Christians will not be as formerly, 
 but will have had special experiences and will be much 
 better than before, pure, knowing shame, having faith. 
 Weakness besets us ; but though this is so, alas ! the 
 rules of the Church are of great benefit. 
 
 ' And the girls' school cannot now be as formerly, 
 because many of the elder scholars have married. 
 Those that I know of are Hoa Eung-Tsi and Li Pu- 
 T'ao. About six with the above have married. Those 
 who are betrothed, but not yet married, are Wang 
 Ngen-hwa, Liu Ngai-tsi, Tu Hsin Chen, and Chang 
 Mei-Jung. I also promised to record that Ch'in Si 
 died in the third month, in the northern mountains. 
 His family do not know the particulars. 
 
 ' Of the boy-scholars there are some who have died 
 of hunger, Chang Hsiin I and Wang T'ien En suffered 
 great bitterness because of the famine. Wei-Yii-T'ing 
 died of disease. Yu-San-En has left the doctrine. 
 At this time the professions that have been made, 
 empty or sincere, true or false, must be found out. 
 
 ' Last year I myself went to and fro to Gen-Ngan-f u 
 eight times, each time 680 li; three times to Hsi- 
 Ngan-fu, each time 120 li ; once to Pekin, going and re- 
 turning, 5400 li. The Heavenly Father strengthened 
 
192 Children of Cathay 
 
 me, so that my bodily vigour was great, and I felt 
 within my heart that God was helping me, and 
 therefore I had peace. 
 
 'Homes have been broken up in every place, 
 alas ! whether people have died of disease, or whether 
 they have no shelter — one family in three places! 
 Although the famine has been outside my door, I 
 myself have not suffered great bitterness, because the 
 comfort of the Lord has not forsaken me. I know 
 that every matter is ordained by God, and cannot be 
 wrong. All things are for our good. 
 
 'At the present time, the Church promises to 
 prosper greatly. May you ladies soon return, and 
 may the Lord send more workers to reap His harvest. 
 
 ' Enough : I will conclude. 
 
 ' And may the grace and peace of our Lord remain 
 with us always. Amen. 
 
 ' The least in the Church, Li-T'sung-Chu, salutes you.' 
 
 This letter gave great joy to the recipients in 
 England. It assured them that the work was not 
 stopped, but that God could raise up workers to 
 carry on His designs. It increased their desire to 
 return to the land of their adoption, and with longing 
 they awaited the summons which should call them 
 once more tp labour among the Children of Cathay. 
 
 /'Tinted by Morribox & Gibb Luiites, Udmburgh 
 
A Seledion of 
 
 Story Books 
 
 For 
 
 Adult and Juvenile 
 
 Readers 
 
 Issued by 
 
 The Religious Trad Society 
 4 Bouverie Street and 
 65 St. Paul's Churchyard 
 London, E.C, 
 
POPULAR 8TORIE8 BY 
 HESBA STRETTpN. 
 
 JESSICA'S FIRST PRAYER. By Hesba Stretton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, cloth, Is, 
 The Sword and Trowel says : — ' One of the most tender, touching, 
 and withal gracious stories that we ever remember to have read. 
 A dear little book for our children. We are not ashamed of 
 having shed tears while reading it ; in fact, should have been ten 
 times more ashamed if we had not. The sweet portrait of the 
 poor child Jessica is a study, and old Daniel is perfect in his own 
 way.' 
 
 IN THE HOLLOW OF HIS HAND. A Story 
 of the Stundists. By Hesba Stretton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, Zs. 
 The Life of Faith says : — ' We should like to place a copy of this 
 
 beautiful story in every Christian home in the land.' 
 The Methodist Recorder says : — ' This book, which will be eagerly 
 
 read by young folks, would do good service in a Sunday School 
 
 Library.' 
 The Pall Mall Gazette says : — ' The story is well told and interesting.' 
 
 PILGRIM STREET. A Story of Manchester Life. 
 By Hesba Stretton. illustrated. crownSvo.zs. 
 
 The Literary Churchman says : — ' There is more adventure in this 
 little story than is often met with in books of its kind. Some of 
 the characters are extremely natural and well brought out : the 
 policeman in particular is very good.' 
 
 The Athencsum says: — 'The wholesome and clever story may be 
 recommended to the buyers of religious tales. The moral is 
 unexceptionable ; and some of ihe illustrations are of more than 
 ordinary artistic merit.' 
 
 NO PLACE LIKE HOME. By Hesba Stretton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, Is. 
 
 The Literary World says : — ' The hand of the author of " Jessica's 
 First Prayer " has not lost its cunning. She knows as well as 
 ever how to touch the heart by a tale of lowly life, in which the 
 struggle against adverse circumstances and moral ignorance is 
 portrayed with great vividness and pathos. The story is very 
 graphically and pathetically written, and will be read with equal 
 Interest by young and old.' 
 
 The Rock says : * Marked by great pathos, and full of those exquisite 
 little touches which this clever writer knows so well how to 
 employ.' 
 
 i:.ONP0W ! THE REUCIQUS TR^CT SOCIgTY, 
 
POPULAR STORIES BY 
 HESBA STRETTON. 
 
 ALONE IN LONDON. By Hesba Stretton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, Is. 6d. 
 The Weekly Review says :— ' A sweet and touching little book for 
 
 children, and, if it does not make them cry, it will give the 
 
 parents a good opportunity to lift their hearts with gratitude to 
 
 that God Who careth for them.' 
 The Baptist Magazine says :— ' This is another pathetic story by the 
 
 author of " Jessica's First Prayer." Since the days of Mrs. 
 
 Sherwood, no lady writer has done better for youthful readers 
 
 than Hesba Stretton.' 
 
 A THORNY PATH. By Hesba Stretton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, 2s. 
 
 The Baptist says: — 'The book thoroughly deserves the acceptance 
 
 which it is sure to gain.' 
 The Daily Chronicle says : — ' Hesba Stretton writes with deep pathos 
 
 and tender feeling of the sufferings of the poor.' 
 The Sunday School Chronicle says : — ' The book should be in all our 
 
 homes and Sunday Schools.' 
 
 LITTLE MEG'S CHILDREN. By Hesba Stretton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, Is. 6d. 
 
 The Sword and Trowel says: — 'A story equal to "Jessica's First 
 Prayer" in simple pathos. What encomium can be higher ? We 
 confess to having gone upstairs for a dry handkerchief after read- 
 ing this tale. The writer has the key of our heart.' 
 
 The Weekly Review says : — ' There are many pathetic and touching 
 incidents described ; and we are sure that every thoughtful child 
 who reads little Meg's troubles will receive a lesson for life — a 
 greater sympathy for the poor.' 
 
 The English Independent says : — ' An affecting tale, written with all 
 the pathos which obtained for "Jessica's First Prayer."' 
 
 UNDER THE OLD ROOF. By Hesba Stretton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, Is. 
 The story is told with the writer's well-known power and pathos. It 
 turns upon a state of things which the 'Married Woman's 
 Property Act ' has rendered impossible for the future. The 
 recovery of the old home, the loss of it. and the final restoration 
 through the conversion of the stepson, form a narrative of great 
 interest 
 
 LONDON : THE REUOIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
THE ADVANCE SERIES. 
 
 Well-bulking, andattractlvely bound In decorative Cloth Cover» 
 Each with Coloured Frontispiece. Crown 8va. iy- each. 
 
 THE LAST HOUSE IN LONDON. By Crona 
 Temple. 
 
 The Methodist Recorder says : — ' A very readable book. A story 
 with a well-sustained •' mystery "in it is usually attractive, and 
 this one is no exception. The reader's interest never flags. There 
 are some excellent people, and some odd ones in the book. One 
 little boy, son of the lady in whom the " mystery " centres, is 
 specially charming . ' 
 
 The Publishei's' Circular says : — ' This is a story of city life, written 
 in an easy and graceful style, dealing with a phase of life which 
 wiJI appeal with special force to elder schoolgirls. The book is 
 full of every-day interest and human charm.' 
 
 TAKEN BY STORM ; or, An Old Soldier's Em- 
 barrassments. By E. A, Bland. 
 
 The Hull Daily Mail says :— ' ' ' Taken by Storm ; or. An Old Soldier's 
 Embarrassments," is a first-rate story for the boys of our upper 
 Sunday School classes. It is well written, unexceptionable in tone, 
 full of interesting incident, and the subject is brightly treated.' 
 
 The Leeds Mercury says : — ' A brightly-written story, and one which 
 young people will like.' 
 
 RIGHTS AND WRONGS. By S. S. Pugh. 
 
 The Nonconformist and Independent says : — ' An exceedingly graphic 
 description of village life, showing what is sometimes its great 
 narrowness, and yet how quick and powerful are the feelings, the 
 loves and hates, and ambitions of the small circle enclosed. 
 This is a capital book for young people, more especially boys.' 
 
 AT THE SIGN OF THE ' BLUE BOAR.' By 
 Emma Leslie. 
 
 The Congregationalist says : — ' It is a pleasant and at the same tim* 
 instructive story. The writer has evidently made a careful study 
 of the period, and contrives to impart not a little useful historical 
 information concerning the Act of Uniformity, the Great Plague, 
 and the Five Mile Act, The picture of the times that she gives is 
 both true and vivid.' 
 
 The Sword and Trowel says : — 'It Is a good story, full of interest. 
 Such facts in history, as the Restoration of the King, the 
 Plague, and the Great Fire of 1666, are put before the reader in 
 the most attractive manner. A sound religious tone runs through 
 the entire Volume.' 
 
 LONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, 
 
THE ADVANCE SERIES. 
 
 Well-bulking, and attractively bound In decorative Cloth Covers. 
 Each with Coloured Frontispiece. Crown 8vo. V- each. 
 
 MARCHING ORDERS. By L. Taylor. 
 
 Pi. story of a boy who, amid all the temptations and privations of Lon- 
 don life, learns how to become Christ's soldier, and how to fight 
 for Him in and through the daily events of life. 
 
 FROM BONDAGE TO FREEDOM. By Emma 
 Leslie. 
 
 The Graphic says : — ' It is a carefully-written story, with attention 
 to picturesque detail, and tolerable faithfulness to history, this is 
 a very attractive volume.' 
 
 MISS MONTEITH'S RIDDLE. By Margaret 
 S. Comrie. 
 
 The Rock says : — 'There is a good deal of character and incident in 
 this story, and it ends happily in the orthodox style. If such 
 works do not take high rank as literature, they at least fully meet 
 the object of their publication, in providing pure readable books 
 for those whose tastes are not cultivated to demand the very 
 best.' 
 
 The Christian World says : — ' Its heroine is a winsome Marjory, who 
 determines to become a medical missionary, but is led, chiefly by 
 means of two fascinating little sisters, to prefer the title of " My 
 Dearest " to that of M.D., and her experiences make very inter- 
 esting and wholesome reading.' 
 
 THE MINISTER'S FAMILY. By L. Redford. 
 
 Girl readers will thoroughly enjoy a book like this, for it faithfully 
 delineates the character of one Kathleen Humphries, who was an 
 example of the best of her sex. Faithful to her father and home, 
 she is seen also loyal to a good man who won her love, but was 
 blind before he married her. Her brothers also are worthy of 
 note, and the story is throughout good in style and purpose.' 
 
 THE PRISONER OF PRAGUE. By Emma 
 Leslie. 
 
 The Scottish Reformer says : ' The story is written in a classical 
 style, quite entrancing. It is graphic and pathetic, and of a truly 
 ennobling and elevating character. Serves an important purpose 
 in keeping memorable events which should never be forgotten 
 prominently before the minds of the rising generation. And the 
 stories of the struggles of old could certainly not be brought be- 
 fore us in a more attractive form.' 
 
 LONDON : THB RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCTFTY 
 
THE * PIONEER' SERIES. 
 
 A splendid series of hooks suitable for hoys and girls, containing 
 stories of school and home life, and of adventures on sea and 
 land, by such well-known authors as Evelyn Everett-Green, 
 George E. Sargent, Eglanton Thome, and many other 
 prominent writers of juvenile hooks. 
 
 Each contains not less than 160 pages with Illustrations. 
 Crown 8vo Q\ In. by 5 InDi Is. each, 
 
 HONOUR, NOT HONOURS. By Mrs, Austin 
 Dobson, Author of ' Cherryburn,' etc. 
 
 The Sword and Trowel says : — ' This story will be appreciated by 
 boys v/hose surroundings are those of wealth and refinement. 
 Seme of the situations are sufficiently mysterious and sensational, 
 but the " one thing needful " is kept before the youthful reader, 
 and, therefore, it has our good word.' 
 
 The Freem.an says : — ' It is a story for boys, and may be very cor- 
 dially recommended to them as of a very healthy tone, full of 
 interest and incident, and sure to give them both gratification 
 and profit." 
 
 The Bookseller says :— ' A capitally-written story for boys.' 
 
 FARMER BLUFF'S DOG BLAZER ; Or, At the 
 Eleventh Hour. By Florence E. Burch, Author 
 of ' Josh Jobson,' ' Ragged Simon,' etc. 
 
 The School Guardian says : — ' An interesting story for boys. Far- 
 mer Bluff is the old squire's bailiff. Excessive drinking, in spite 
 of repeated warnings, brings on gout, and ultimately kills him. 
 The squire's heir is a sripple, who visits the old bailiff and talks 
 seriously to him, at last converting him when on his death-bed. 
 The farmer's dog (which saves two lives) is left to the future 
 squire, who melts down the bailiff's silver beer-mug into a collar 
 for his dog.' 
 
 ANEAL'S MOTTO. By B. E. Slade. With 
 Frontispiece. 
 
 The Literary World says : — ' " Faithful in that which is least " was 
 Aneal's motto. The story shows how a brave girl strove to live 
 up to it, and to help others to do the same. The story itself is 
 very pleasantly told.' 
 
 The Sydney Morning Herald says : — ' A story based on the motto : 
 " Life is made up of small things." The small things here work 
 up into a tragedy and much suffering before the pleasant endin? 
 comes,' 
 
 LONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, 
 
THE 'PiONEER' SERIES. 
 
 A splendid series of books suitable for boys and giris, containing 
 stories of school and home life, and of adventures on sea and 
 land, by such well-known authors as Evelyn Everett-Green, 
 George E. Sargent, Eglanton Thome, and many other 
 prom,inent writers of juvenile books. 
 
 Each contains not less than 160 pages with lliustrations. 
 Crown 8vo (7i In. by 5 in.)i Is. each. 
 
 IT'S ALL REAL TRUE. The Story of a Child's 
 Difficulties. By Eglanton Thorne. 
 
 The Record says : — ' A very touching story of an orphan girl's sor- 
 rows and difficulties.' 
 The Christian World says : — 'A touching story.' 
 
 BOYS WILL BE BOYS. By George E. Sargent, 
 Author of 'The Story of a Pocket Bible,' etc. 
 
 The Freeman says : — ' There is throughout the story a fine manly 
 
 tone We thank the author for a book which inculcates 
 
 lessons of the highest moment in so attractive a style. ' 
 
 The Scotsman says : — ' Illustrating very happily both boyish failings 
 and boyish excellences.' 
 
 The Evangelical Magazine says : — ' A capital story for school-boys 
 and others who may be exposed to the temptations and business 
 of city life.' 
 
 THORNS AND THISTLES. By M. H. Cornwall 
 Legh, Author of ' Gold in the Furnace.' 
 
 The Methodist Times says : — ' A cleverly constructed story for girls.' 
 The Christian says : — ' The author could not have chosen a more 
 
 fitting title for her capital and fascinating narrative. ' 
 The Gentlewoman says : — ' A pretty love story deeply tinged with 
 
 religious feeling.' 
 The Glasgow Herald says : — ' It is a capital piece of work." 
 
 CELIA'S FORTUNES. By Annette Whymper, 
 Author of ' The Autobiography of a Missionary 
 Box.' 
 
 The Methodist Times says : — ' This is a well-told story of an in- 
 heritance lost and a life won.' 
 
 The School Guardian says : — ' The story is interesting and healthy.' 
 
 The British Weekly says : — ' A very pleasing story. Celia is a 
 natural high-spirited girl.' 
 
 The Methodist Recorder says : — ' It is a pleasant sketch of a pretty 
 and rather wilful girl, told by herself.' 
 
 LONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
The Young Girl's Library. 
 
 A neiu series of luett-produced and targe-sized Books, 
 brimful of incident and interest, specialty saitabte for younger 
 girls. Excellently adapted for all presentation purposes. 
 
 Illustrated, targe crown 8'vo, cloth gilt, with a Coloured 
 Medallion, 2s. each. 
 
 GWEN'S INFLUENCE. By Frances Toft, 
 Author of "Uncle Ronald," etc. With Three Illustrations by 
 Charles Horrell. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, with 
 Coloured Medallion on cover. 2S. 
 
 The School Guardian says : — ' The heroine is a fine character, the 
 religious tone of the book is good, and the story is interesting.' 
 
 The Life of Faith says : — ■' The authoress of this story has drawn 
 a delightful picture of the quiet influence of a school-gtrl who seeks 
 to live as an out and out Oiristian. ... It is so good all through, 
 with its shades as well as its sunshine, that they will forget this in 
 the bright picture of a true Christ-loving girl.' 
 
 CHRISTIE REDFERN'S TROUBLES. By 
 
 Mrs. Robertson. With Three Illustrations by E. Barnard 
 LiNTOTT, Author of "The Orphans of Glen Elder." Large 
 crown Svo, cloth gilt, with Coloured Medallion on cover. 2s. 
 
 The FutlisherU Circular says: — 'A sympathetically written little 
 •tory.' 
 
 ANGEL'S BROTHER. By Eleanor A. Stooke, 
 Author of "The Bottom of the Bread Pan." With Three 
 Illustrations by W. H. C. Groome. Large crown Svo, cloth 
 gilt, with Coloured Medallion on cover. 2S. 
 
 There is good value for money in this book. The heroine is a 
 sweet-tempered child who contrives in the end to bring to a. better 
 mind a. most unsatisfactory brother who is selfish and disagreeable 
 to the last degree. 
 
 THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. LONDON, 
 
The Young Girl's Library. 
 
 TWO GIRLS IN A SIEGE. A Talc of the 
 
 Great Civil War. By Edith C. Kenyon, Author of 
 "Queen of Nino Days," etc. With Three Illustrations by 
 J. Macfaslane. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, with Coloured 
 Medallion on cover. 2s. 
 
 The School Guardian says : — ' Miss Kenyon gives us in this book a 
 tale of the great Civil War, founded upon facts contained in old 
 books relating to the place and period. The scene is the neighbour- 
 hood of Cardiff and Chepstow. A good deal of careful thought and 
 reading has evidently been devoted by the authoress to her task, 
 and the result is eminently satisfactory, and she evolves a most 
 interesting stoiy. It is to be hoped that she will continue her 
 researches amongst the old records of the Principality of Wales 
 and the county of Monmouth, and give us other similar works.' 
 
 THE SHEPHERD'S FAIRY. By the Author 
 
 of • Mr. Mygale's Hobby." With Three Illustrations. Large 
 crown 8vo, cloth gilt, with Coloured Medallion on cover. 2s. 
 
 A charming story for girls. The overwhelming love of a pretty 
 Baroness for her little girl gives rise to jealous feelings on the part 
 of the father. In order to weaken this strong attachment, the 
 Baron sends the child, on his own yacht and in charge of her 
 uncle, to England. The yacht mysteriously disappears, but the 
 little girl is landed on our south coast. The distress of the 
 Baroness, and the concern of the Baron for her — ^prompting him to 
 make a search for the little girl — are well described. How she 
 becomes the " Shepherd's Fairy " ; how she is eventually restored 
 to her parents; the story of her life in the intervening years with 
 its own tender love incidents ; all this is told as the plot is skilfully 
 developed. 
 
 MISS NETTIE'S GIRLS. A Story of 
 
 London East End Life. By Constance Evelyn. 
 
 With Three Illustrations. Large Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, with 
 
 Coloured Medallion on cover. 29. 
 A story of work among factory girls. It is full of East End 
 incident, and beautifully illustrates the difierent petitions of the 
 Lord's Prayer. 
 
 THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. LONDON. 
 
THE 'SNOWDROP' SERIES. 
 
 This is a splendid series of Favourite Stories for juvenile readers 
 of both sexes , each book containing not less than 192 pages, 
 well printed and illustrated, and attractively bound in cloth 
 gilt. 
 
 Is. 6d. each. 
 
 HAROLD'S FRIENDS; Or, The New Rector of 
 Greythorpe. By C. A. Burnaby, Author of ' Our 
 Story,' ' Tom Larkins,' ' Fred Fern's Decision,' 
 etc. 
 
 The Sword and Trowel says : — ' If we must have stories, let us have 
 them like this. There are exciting incidents, and a love match, 
 of course ; but, above all, the tale " tells the old, old story "in 
 remarkably clear language on several occasions. The young 
 squire and the new rector are, as usual, the heroes of the story. 
 What would the poor tale-tellers do if there were no parsons and 
 squires ? They might have to manufacture heroes out of the 
 Baptist ministers and shop-keepers. ' 
 
 The Methodist Record says : — ' A very exciting story, and one of the 
 best we have read for a long time. The characters are natural 
 and well drawn. Harold himself reminds one at times of Little 
 Lord Fauntleroy. The incidents are true to life and the interest 
 is well sustained.' 
 
 THE SECRET ROOM. A Story of Tudor Times. 
 
 By L. Pocklington. with Three Illustrations by 
 Raymond Potter. 
 
 An unusually well written story of the time of Queen Mary. The tale 
 is well conceived, and the little book is full of valuable reading.' 
 
 THROUGH THE LINN; Or, Miss Temple's 
 Wards. By Agnes Giberne, Author of ' Anthony 
 Cragg's Tenant,' ' Gwendoline,' etc. 
 
 The Congregationalist says : — ' We trust this story will be widely 
 circulated amongst the young. It teaches girls an impressive 
 lesson as to the end and blessedness of patience and submission. 
 The lesson is so difficult and so valuable that we may well be 
 grateful to any writer who indicates it with special effectiveness. 
 This assuredly is done in " Through the Linn." In the delinea- 
 tion of character, in mental analysis, and in the ability to con- 
 struct an interesting story from simple materials, the writer shows 
 unquestioned power.' 
 
 LONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
THE 'SNOWDROP' SERIES. 
 
 This is a splendid series of Favourite Stories for juvenile readen 
 of both sexes, each book containing not less than 192 pages, 
 well printed tnd illustrated, and attractively bound in oloth 
 gilt. 
 
 18. 6cl' each. 
 ROY: A Village Story. By Mrs. Harding Kelly. 
 
 The Methodist Sunday School Record says: — 'This is a pretty 
 story of village life, in which is shown how a child's wilfulness 
 was finally overcome by the charm of a wise and gentle woman. 
 It is a study in character, and a lesson of the possibilities of a 
 gracious influence in the home. It is a bright, attractive story, 
 well told, and will be helpful to every reader.' 
 
 The Liverpool Daily Courier says : — ' Parents on the look out for a 
 good healthy story for their young folk may be recommended to 
 Mrs. Harding Kelly's " Roy." It is a good tale, with sufficient 
 incident, and the telling is robust and straightforward. An excel- 
 lent moral is enforced without mawkishness.' 
 
 AN OLD SAILOR'S STORY. By George E. 
 Sargent. 
 
 The Rock says : — ' The sailor's story is well narrated, and we may 
 recommend it to the notice of all as well worthy of perusal.' 
 
 The Evangelical Magazine says : — ' How many boys are fond of the 
 sea and shipping I This is the book for them. It has instruction, 
 also, for other boys, and will be sure to interest all who read it.' 
 
 Our Own Fireside says : — ' Just the book for boys ; full of adven- 
 tures.' 
 
 HIS SOLDIER. By Mrs. Cameron Wilson. 
 
 The Primitive Methodist says : — ' This is a bright story of two vil- 
 lage boys and their experiences in the army. It is written in a 
 happy, easy style, and tells how the lads were led to enlist in the 
 army of the "King of kings." It would be difficult to secure a 
 prize-book of healthier character, or one which would be read 
 with greater interest and profit by young people.' 
 
 The British Weekly says : — ' It deserves to be widely known. 
 The Presbyterian says : — 'It is highly suitable as a gift book to Sun- 
 day School children,' 
 
 LONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
THE 'SNOWDROP' SERIES. 
 
 This is a splendid series of Favourite Stories for juvenile readers 
 of both sexes, each book containing not less than 192 pages, 
 well printed and illustrated, and attractively bound in cloth 
 gilt. 
 
 Is. 6d. each. 
 
 THE SECRETS OF THE OAK ROOM. By 
 Marion E. Forster. 
 
 The School Guardian says;—' This is a pleasant story of the adven- 
 tures of some children in Devonshire, who live in an old manor 
 house full of mystery. How they discover secret passages and 
 trap-doors of all kinds forms the basis of the story, which is inters 
 esting from first to last.' 
 
 LITTLE ROBIN GRAY. By Edith C. Kenyon. 
 
 The Record says : — ' A touching story, told with delightful charm, of 
 a little boy's adventures in the Far West. Robin Gray is given 
 into the care of a bachelor uncle, who does not at first bestow 
 upon him much kindness or attention. The boy repays him with 
 love, and in trying to serve his uncle, passes through a number of 
 exciting adventures. As a gift book it vrill be found admirable.' 
 
 The Christian Advocate says : — ' The story is a very exciting one, 
 and has a pleasant ending. Its tone is admirable.' 
 
 THE CHILDREN OF BROOKFIELD HALL. 
 By Lydia Phillips. 
 
 The School Guardian says : — ' A charming little story, in which an 
 invalid uncle teaches his nephew and niece to be wholesome, 
 right-minded children.' 
 
 The Church Family Newspaper says : — ' This is a very delightful 
 book for young people. The story is both good and interesting.' 
 
 The Methodist Times says : — ' It is a delightfully-written book for 
 children, and one thoroughly healthy in tone. It is full of interest 
 from cover to cover, and is one which will be heartily welcomed 
 by our young folks.' 
 
 The Life of Faith says : — ' A capital story for the young folk*. 
 Instructive and full of fine feeling,' 
 
 LONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
THE * FAVOURITE GIFT' SERIES. 
 
 This is a fine series of Story Books for juveniles by such pohular authors 
 as Mrs. Walton, Hesba Stretton, and many other favourite writers of books 
 for young i>eoi>le. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo (7i in. by 5 In.), cloth gilt, Is. each. 
 
 SAVED AT SEA. By Mrs. O. F. Walton. 
 
 The Home World says : — ' The special feature of the book is that 
 each little incident serves as a text for some plain truth about 
 religion, told in a manner that cannot fail to impress itself upon 
 the young reader. The book is very attractively got up, and 
 contains several illustrations.' 
 
 The Literary World says ; — ' The story is simple, and not without 
 pathos.' 
 
 The Baptist Magazine says : — ' Will be a favourite with the young 
 folks.' 
 
 The Edinburgh Daily Review says : — ' A tale we can heartily 
 recommend.' 
 
 MRS. BURTON'S BEST BEDROOM, and other 
 Stories. By Hesba Stretton. 
 
 The Rock says : — ' A well illustrated volume, comprising not only the 
 story in question, but many others of a similar character, all of 
 which are well suited for working classes.' 
 
 The Literary Worle says : — ' Really readable, and contains many 
 touching and useful stories and articles.' 
 
 ADAORA. A Tale of West Africa. By Mary E. 
 Bird. 
 
 The Christian says :-—' An interesting, instructive, and in every way 
 a valuable book, picturing to English readers the manners and 
 ways, and, far more, the dark and cruel superstitions of the poor 
 demon-worshipping race of the Ibos, on the banks of the Southern 
 Niger.' 
 
 The Life of Faith says: — 'A very well written story, which easily 
 holds the reader's interest to the very last page. It presents a 
 vivid picture of real life in West Africa.' 
 
 The Glasgow Herald says: — 'The story is well told and very 
 enjoyable.' 
 
 DAYBREAK IN BRITAIN. A. L. O. E. 
 
 The Daily Review says : — ' It is intended to explain the elementary 
 doctrines of Christianity, and this is accomplished in a simple 
 and very effective way.' 
 
 The Literary World says : — ' The teaching is skilfully done, and the 
 interest of the story is well sustained throughout.' 
 
 LONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
POPULAR STORIES BY 
 
 MRS. O. F. WALTON. 
 
 CHRISTIE'S OLD ORGAN; Or, Home, Sweet 
 Home. By Mrs. O. F. Walton, illustrated, crown 
 
 8vo, Is,: Large Type Edition, with Coloured Pictures, 
 imperial 8vo, picture boards. Is. 
 
 CHRISTIE, THE KING'S SERVANT. A Sequel 
 to * Christie's Old Organ.' By Mrs. O. F. Walton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, 1s. 
 
 The Sword and Trowel says : — ' Thousands who remember " Christie's 
 
 Old Organ " will give the heartiest possible welcome to its sequel, 
 
 " Christie, the King's Servant," by the same author, Mrs. Walton. 
 
 It will first attract attention because of its predecessor, but it will 
 
 retain the reader's affection for its own sake.' 
 The Irish Times says : — ' The volume is full of incident, and it will 
 
 engage the attention of all into whose hands it falls.' 
 The Churchman says : — ' Everybody will want to read this, as it is a 
 
 sequel to " Christie's Old Organ," told in the charming authoress's 
 
 best manner.' 
 
 LITTLE FAITH ; Or, The Child of the Toy Stall. 
 
 By Mrs. O. F. Walton, illustrated. CrownSvo, Is.i 
 
 Large Type Edition, with Coloured Pictures, Imperial 8vo, 
 
 picture boards, Is. 
 
 The story displays simphcity and pathos. Tears not unfrequently fill 
 
 the eyes of the reader. Mrs. Walton has previously rendered 
 
 valuable literary service, but she has never written a story which 
 
 will do greater credit to her intellect and heart. 
 
 THE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE. By Mrs. O. F. 
 
 Walton. Illustrated. Crown 8vo, Is. 
 The Sword and Trowel says :— ' The book has several claims for 
 public favour. First its readableness. Next its authoress, Mrs. 
 Walton, whose " organ recital," on " Christie's Old Organ," has 
 charmed thousands. Thirdly, its godliness : for in it the three 
 R's— Ruin, Redemption, and Regeneration— are clearly taught.' 
 
 NOBODY LOVES ME. By Mrs. O. F. Walton. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo, Is. 
 This is a reprint of a popular story by the author of 'Little Dot,' 
 ' Christie's Old Organ,' etc. It tells of the blessing brought to a 
 poor old woman by a little child she adopted. She found that in 
 doing good she obtained good, and that in showing hospitality to 
 the friendless she ' entertained an angel unawares, 
 
 UJJJPOJS : THE RELir,TOUS TRACT SOCIETY, 
 
POPULAR STORIES BY 
 AMY LE FEUVRE. 
 
 PROBABLE SONS, By Amy Le Feuvre. Crownsvo. 
 
 Is.: and with Coloured Pictures, Imperial 8vo, picture 
 boards, Is. 
 
 The Sunday School Chronicle says : — ' Likely to charm old and 
 young alike.' 
 
 The Rev. F. B. Meyer says : — ' One of the prettiest stories I have 
 read for a long time. It will open the eyes of many prodigals to 
 the simplicity of the way of return to God.' 
 
 The Sword and Trowel says : — ' A lovely story that everybody — 
 man, woman, boy or girl— ought to read. The heroine is a 
 charming child who, in a most winning way, applies to everyday 
 life the Parable of the Prodigal Son, whom she mis-calls " The 
 Probable Son." It is scarcely possible to praise too highly this 
 delightful shilling volume.' 
 
 TEDDY'S BUTTON. By Amy Le Feuvre. crownSvo, 
 
 Is.: and with Coloured Pictures, Innperial 8vo, picture 
 boards, Is. 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Spurgeon says : — ' A smile-provoking, tear-com- 
 pelling, heart-inspiring book. I wish every mother would read 
 it to her children.' 
 
 The Life of Faith says: — '"Teddy's Button" is by the author of 
 "Probable Sons," and it would be difficult to say which is the 
 better.' 
 
 The Christian says : — ' A lively little story, telling of a lad whose 
 military spirit found satisfaction in enlisting in Christ's army and 
 fighting God's battles.' 
 
 A THOUGHTLESS SEVEN. By Amy Le Feuvre. 
 
 Crown 8vo, Is. 
 
 The Church Family Newspaper says:— 'A very brightly written 
 
 story of a lively family of boys and girls.' 
 The Manchester Courier says:— 'A capital story of child life, in 
 
 which some good lessons of conduct are inculcated.' 
 The Baptist Magazine says :— ' A good, healthy story.' 
 The Methodist Times says :— ' The illustrations are real works of art.' 
 
 BUNNY'S FRIENDS. By Amy Le Feuvre. 
 
 Crown 8vo, Is. 
 The Christian World says :— ' A charming tale for little readers.' 
 This is a little fairy tale, in which, through a little girl's fancies with 
 
 regard to rabbits and ponies and moorland heather, some very 
 
 beautiful lessons are taught. 
 
 J^ONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
THE 'BUHERGUPS AND DAISIES' SERIES. 
 
 It is always difficult to find a series of books eminently suitable in 
 every respect for young readers. This is owing to the fact 
 that it is not by any means an easy matter to write for 
 children. Juvenile literature should not only be written in 
 simple language, but should at the same time be interesting 
 and attractive. The Religious Tract Society have endeavoured, 
 and with no little success, to produce a series of volumes 
 combining these essential quaHiies, and the stories already 
 issued in the ' Buttercups and Daisies ' Series will be found 
 to supply a m.uch felt want. Additional volumes will be 
 added to the series from time to time. 
 
 Illustrated. Crown 8vo C7^ In. by S In.), attractively bound, 
 Is. per volume. 
 
 1. WHEN DADDIE'S SHIP COMES IN. By 
 Beatrice M. Purser, with Three illustrations. 
 
 2. IVY'S DREAM ; or, Each One His Brick. By 
 Harriette E. Burch, Author of ' Bab,' etc. 
 
 3. JOYCE'S LITTLE MAID. By Nellie Cornwall. 
 
 With Five Illustrations. 
 
 4. CORRIE. A Christmas Story. By Ruth Lynn. 
 Author of 'City Sparrows,' etc. 
 
 5. LIZ'S SHEPHERD. By F. Marshall, Author 
 of 'Joseph's Little Coat,' etc. 
 
 6. A WAIF AND A WELCOME. By Mabel 
 
 Quiller-CoUCh. with Three Illustrations. 
 
 7. FIVE LITTLE BIRDIES. By Agnes Giberne. 
 
 With Three Illustrations, 
 
 8. MEGSY'S INFLUENCE. By M. I. Hurrell. 
 
 With Three Illustrations. 
 
 9. KARL JANSEN'S FIND. By Mary E. Ropes. 
 
 With Three Illustrations. 
 
 10. ZACH AND DEBBY. By Mabel Quiller- 
 
 Couch. With Three Illustrations, 
 
 11. A PAIR OF KNIGHT-ERRANTS. By Muriel 
 
 D. C. Lucas. With Three Illustrations. 
 
 12. WILLIE AND LUCY AT THE SEA-SIDE. 
 
 By Agnes Giberne. with Three illustrations. 
 LONDON : THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
 S. & Co. No. 5.