“You do—for some of us,” said Luke, as he reached forward and pressed Ruth’s hand.
“Silly!” she whispered.
“I hope he gives her some lichi nuts,” said Sammy to the two little girls, as they followed Ruth and Luke to the path that led to the end of the yard. Nothing was said to the other two young couples.
The moon shone brightly on the old-fashioned garden of the Corner House, casting fantastic shadows where the old pavilion stood—the pavilion, vine-covered, where Uncle Peter had spent his last lonely days.
“Where is Hop Wong?” asked Ruth, as they neared the place where Sammy had said the Celestial Kingdom’s citizen was waiting.
“Oh, I guess he’s around here. He was right under the apple tree when I saw him first,” the boy reported.
Then, as they all looked about and saw no slant-eyed figure waiting for them, Sammy raised his voice and called:
“Hop! Oh, Hop Wong! Where are you? Here’s Ruthie!”
There was no answer—just the white, silent moonlight over everything.
“Hop Wong!” called Sammy again. “Ruth Kenway is here.”