CHAPTER V
GIRLS
It is hard to begin life as one who is not wanted. Many a Chinese girl cannot help knowing that she has come into the world bringing disappointment to her father and mother.
“What is your little one’s name?” said a foreigner to a woman, who was walking along with a small child near Amoy.
“It is a girl,” was the reply, as much as to say, “You need not trouble to waste time asking about her.”
“I know, venerable dame,” said the foreigner, “but what is her name?”
“Not Wanted,” was the strange answer.
“You should love your little girl as much as a boy. Why do you speak so unkindly of her?” said the foreigner, thinking that the mother meant she did not want her child. The woman laughed, but said nothing.
“Now tell me her name,” persisted the foreigner, anxious to show interest in the despised girl.
“Not Wanted,” repeated the woman again.
“Not ...” began the stranger once more, meaning to tell the ignorant woman not to speak so unkindly of her little girl.