Page:Mrs. Spring Fragrance - Far - 1912.djvu/308

 "And the little pigs, where are they?" cried the father of Soon Yen.

The boys looked down at the baskets which had held the little pigs. While they had been dreaming of future glories, the young porkers had managed to scramble out of the loosely woven bamboo thatch of which the baskets were made.

The fathers of Ping Sik and Soon Yen produced canes.

"Without shoes and caps," said they, "you cannot attend school. Therefore, back to the farm and feed pigs."  

M so glad! so glad!" shouted little Yen.

"Why?" asked Wou. "Has any one given you a gold box with jewels, or a peacock feather fan, or a coat of many colors, or a purse of gold? Has your father become rich or been made a high mandarin?"

Wou sighed as he put these questions. He had voiced his own longings.

"No," answered Yen, giving a hop, skip, and jump.

"Then, why are you glad?" repeated Wou.

"Why?" Yen's bright face grew brighter.