Evening star., 1938-03-13

disappoint either one of them. 1t was the first
burden of manliness placed upon him. And
while he tossed all night in restless slumber, he
knew he would go through with it and never
utter one word of complaint
But the next day he suffered from self pity.
He was sorry he was Chinese He wished he
could be like the other boys, accepted as one of
them, and not be looked upon as being diff
ferent. Didn't he like to 60 roller skating, too?
Didn't he like to play marbles? And didn't he
know some fancy swear words he could use on
the proper occasions? He could even show the
boys some new games. if they'd only let him.
Wednesday came as usual School was dis
missed early after the morning session so the
children could go home and dress.
Jin-Wai's mother had gotten the clothes
from box where they had been packed away in
sweet smelling herbs. And his father stopped
work in the laundry to assist and give instruc-
tons. Hing giggled and laughed as he was told
how to wear the clothes; the white stockings,
the black satin shoes, the silk trousers bound at
the ankles. and the beautiful blue blouse.
Jin-Wai closed his eyes tightly as his
father put on him the long gown that he said
was the proper thing for scholar to wear. And
he squirmed as the round black cap with a
button on the top was adjusted on his head.
"Very proud father" said Fong. "Very
proud, although l am lacking in modesty to
say so. You will do me great honor, my sons.
Come home after the celebration is over, and
we shall have feast to celebrate my sons first
appearance in public as becomes Chinese
gentlemen"
'Proud?" thought Jin-W Wal His father didn't
have to walk through the streets wearing skirts
like girl. He didn't have to have everybody
look at him and laugh. And when Hing knew
what jibs and jeers were awaiting him he
wouldn't be smiling so happily either.
Taking Hing by the hand, Jin-Wai trotted
out onto the street His father and mother stood
in the doorway and waved their hands, jim
Wal looked neither to the right nor the left, but
trudged manfully forward. pulling Hing along
after him.
TOO fast! Too fast" said Hing, who had
short legs and had to give little jump every
now and then to keep up.
But Jin-Wai paid no attention As he drew
nearer the school it wasn't half as bad as he
thought it would be- Other boys all dressed up
were going into the school, and they were all
too busy with their mothers standing about and
fussing over details of their attire to pay any
attention to him. He found his seat in the class
room and pulled Hing up beside him. As the
other boys took their places Jin-Wai looked
straight ahead and kept saying to himself, II
am obeying my father. l am obeying my
father" The only consoling thought he had.
The exercises were to be held in the assembly
hail. 1t wasn't until they were marching to join
the children from the other classrooms that
Jin-Wais teacher saw him. She had been
fluttering around trying to calm the excited
mothers and keep the boys from mussing up
their costumes.
"Why. Jin-Wai! she said breathlessly. Il
didn't know you were planning to come dressed
up. How nice you look And is this your
brother? Isn't he cute. Dear, dear - we'll have
to think up something for you to do. wish I'd
known" And she dashed ahead to separate
two boys who had started to fight.
So she hadn't expected him to come dressed
up! In vain had been his suffering of the past
a -