The New York herald., 1922-06-18
and my first sight Of her gave me

and my first sight Of her gave me
a renewed sense of Homecoming. I
was dimly aware of a large hall, at
he back of which stood high altar.
with wreaths Of sweet smelling
smoke rising in straight columns be-
fore lettered tablets and brilliant
images under glass cases. The glitter
OF golden and scarlet embroideries
against the wall splintered the dim
Less with rays of light like sunshine
through prism. Heavily carved
b.ackwood chairs with tea tables, and
also marble topped stools with gay
brocaded cushions were ranged about
the room.
We passed through this main hall
into the apartment of Nine. Liang,
where was given a chair. and sat,
suddenly remembering that I was
very tired.
Other members of the family, dis
tant relatives and first cousins and
guests, all women, came in, and
was presented to them. Nine. Spring.
time, wife of the second son, did
first honors for the family. She was
so very youthful-only 17-and SO
wistfully other worldly that among
those mature housewives, clever and
practical managers of their house.
holds and husbands estates, she
seemed like a branch of peachbloom.
In festal garb Of jade green and
Observation-Disclosures shoes on her
tiny feet and an embroidered head
dress crowning her shining black
hair and framing the oval of her
shy, smiling face, with its sloe black
eyes-she came bearing a lacquered
tray and presenting to each of us
sweet tea in cups of finest porcelain.
with standards and covers of silver
and with tiny silver spoons having
flower shaped bowls.
The pretty little tea ceremony was
| then repeated by various memters
of the family. while the small sons
were given hot milk and cakes. An
eager group gathered about the tiny
new daughter still sleeping peace ,
fully.
A bubbling. busy little lady, about
the age of Nine. Liang, leaned over
me, with a quizzical smile and bobbed
her gay, pretty head emphatically at
me when my mother introduced her
as Nine. Chau. Elaborated dressed
in rich colors, in direct contrast to
my soberly garbed mother. she was
as merry as Nine. Liang was grave
and she tripped about on her almost
invisible golden lily feet with an
energy that yet did not destroy the
grace of her willow walk"
But the many colored costumes,
the great curtained bed on one side,
the voices-all suddenly seemed far
away. And as I wavered, smiling de-
terminedly, 1 heard my husbands
voice. Mother thinks you are tired;
so this woman will show you to our
room, where you must lie down and
rest"
VI
Some time later as I lay resting
with Alicia sleeping on my arm
on the bed. which had purple cur
tains and soft white blankets, Chan
King stepped quietly into the room.
Feel as comfortable as you look?"
he asked, and when nodded
drowsily he touched box of cakes.
These were brought to you by
Nine. Chau. the busy little lady out
there. You know" he hesitated
a moment, "she would have teen
my mother-in-law if I hadn't in
sisted on your mother instead" aud
he gave my cheek gentle pinch.
l was now wide awake. THE little
bird lady out there-mother of Lii
Ying?" I asked. Where is Lii Ying.
them"
"They didn't tell me anything di-
rectly." Chan-King answered. "But
I gather from several pointed con-
versations carried on in my hearing
that Nine. Chau has just returned
from her daughters house in Singa-
pore. Just imagine, little Lying is
married too and also has three chill