Page:Mrs. Spring Fragrance - Far - 1912.djvu/334

 As they sat munching these, they became reflective. The charm of the sea and sky was on them though they knew it not.

"I think," said Lee Chu, "that these are the most beautiful pebbles that the sea has ever given to us."

"I think so too," assented Lee Yen.

"I think," again said Lee Chu, "that I will give mine to the Little Fat One."

"The Little Fat One shall also have mine," said Lee Yen. He ran his fingers through his pebbles and sighed with rapture over their glittering. Lee Chu also sighed as his eyes dwelt on the shining heap that was his.

The Little Fat One ran to greet them on his little fat legs when they returned home at sundown, and they poured their treasures into his little tunic.

"Why, where do these come from?" cried Lee Amoy, the mother, when she tried to lift the Little Fat One on to her lap and found him too heavy to raise.

Lee Chu and Lee Yen looked away.

"You bad boys!" exclaimed the mother angrily. "You have been on the beach instead of at school. When your father comes in I shall tell him to cane you."

"No, no, not bad!" contradicted the Little Fat One, scrambling after the stones which