Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/104

 soul is sick something more than drugs is needed. My people have an age-old proverb; 'You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over your head but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.' That is the type of philosophy that you need. Come with me to China. I have plenty of money, more money than I shall ever need. I have never been a poor man."

"Yet you chose to come and work as a servant for my father!" cried Scobee in astonishment.

"Have I been treated like a servant?" asked Hung Long Tom.

"That you could never be," was the fervent reply. "You've been the most patient friend and counsellor a lonely boy ever had. I shudder to think what my life would have been without you. Whenever I took your advice things worked out perfectly."

"And now I am suggesting that you go with me to China."

"What would be the use? I couldn't see anything."