Page:Mrs. Spring Fragrance - Far - 1912.djvu/319

 and taking for granted that Yen had explained the candy all right, he nibbled a little at one of the sticks, then put it down.

"Eat some more, eat all, honorable grandfather," urged Yen.

The old man laughed and shook his head.

"I cannot eat any more," said he. "The old man is not the little boy."

"But—but," puffed Yen, becoming red in the face again, " I want you to eat it, honorable grandfather."

But Grandfather Chan would not eat any more candy, and Yen began to puff and blow and talk very loud because he would not. Indeed, by the time Mother Chan returned, he was as red as a turkeycock and chattering like a little magpie.

"I do not know what is the matter with the little boy," said Grandfather Chan. "He is so vexed because I cannot eat his candy."

Mother Chan glanced at the string of cash and then at her little son's flushed face.

"I know," said she. "The candy is not sweet to him, so he would have his honorable grandfather eat it."

Yen stared at his mother. How did she know! How could she know! But he was glad that she knew, and at sundown he crept