Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/217

 They adored flowers as do all men of China. And in that garden they had grown to man's estate. Cheng Foong had long since departed front is world and gone on a far journey. But his influence was still felt. The house was loo e after as carefully as when he was there to guide. Whenever a thing outside the usual routine arose the eight sons gathered to discuss the matter. They tried to pass upon it and decide as their noble father would have decided. It was a safe method to adopt for Cheng Foong had been noted for his sagacity.

Jade masters, philosophers, jewel merchants still came from the far quarters of the country to view the collection of jewels and jades which the father of Hung Long Tom had left Hoo, the eldest of the sons of Cheng Foong had been reared as a jewel merchant. He had studied for years with the set purpose of understanding the rare collections which the house possessed. He had read and absorbed a thousand books about jewels. He had memorized all the poetry that touched upon precious stones. He had gone far and wide to