Page:Ballinger Price--Fortune of the Indies.djvu/261

 Chinese phrases she spoke; "now where have I seen those eyes before?"

Her own dropped downward to where Ping-Pong, who had awakened, was twining herself apprehensively around Alan's feet. The gleam lit the woman's face; she pushed past doctor and student.

"In the name of all that's wonderful," she said heartily, "I believe you're Alan and Ping-Pong!"

At which Alan sat down abruptly on the bench and stared giddily at her.

"Now don't fash yourself," she said easily. "I've just as much as called your poor, decent brother a liar and sent him posting off to the Settlement. Rodney, will you go now and get another chair, and we'll all be off after him."

"But—" said Alan.

"But—" said Dr. Rodney.

"Havers!" said Miss Macdougal. "It's all right."

The way she addressed those surprised Chinese officials caused Alan to grin in ever-increasing respect and admiration. She spoke to them fluently in Chinese; she told them this had never been a municipal matter, anyway—it was for