Page:Mrs. Spring Fragrance - Far - 1912.djvu/316

 hands over them, when there arose upon the air the cry of Bo Shuie, the candy man. Yen gave a hop and a jump. In a moment he was at the corner of the street where stood the candy man, a whole hive of little folks grouped around him. Never was there such a fascinating fellow as this candy man. What a splendid big pole was that he had slung over his broad shoulders, and, oh, the baskets of sweetmeats which depended from it on either side!

Yen gazed wistfully at the sugared almonds and limes, the ginger and spice cakes, and the barley sugar and cocoanut.

"I will take that, honorable candy man," said he, pointing to a twisted sugar stick of many colors.

"Cash!" said the candy man holding out his hand.

"Oh!" exclaimed Yen. He had thought only of sugar and forgotten he had no cash.

"Give it to me, honorable peddler man," said Han Yu. "I have a cash."

The peddler man transferred from his basket to the eager little hands of Han Yu the sugar stick of many colors.

Quick as his chubby legs could carry him. Yen ran back to the cottage. His grandfather was still dozing.