LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Page
[A Little Almond Blossom][Frontispiece]
[“Oh, what a dreadful monster”][5]
[“The Chinese children all marched to the music in a row”][7]
[“Everybody giggled all the time, in their funny little Chinese way”][9]
[“She brought forth from the flute the most wonderful sounds”][17]
[“It was the old nurse, Suey”][22]
[“ ‘Where are you going, little one?’ ”][50]
[“Little Priest”][65]
[“She and one of her sisters were on the step in front of their home”][67]
[“Suey Hip was very much dressed up”][99]
[“She sometimes longed to get out, she and her two little brothers”][109]
[“There was a big bouquet for Ping Pong”][147]
[“Through the narrow streets”][177]
[“Two of his little friends, with their queer little Chinese caps on”][208]
[“His own beautiful mo chun”][227]

IN THE LAND OF THE DRAGON

Little Almond
Blossoms

IN THE LAND OF THE DRAGON

CHUNG GOY ran as fast as his little sandals would permit, up the narrow flight of steps which led to the Chinese restaurant, and out on the balcony, where a crowd of Chinamen were watching for the great Procession of the Dragon. His little legs were encased in pale green silk trousers tied at the ankles, and his lavender shom (blouse) gleamed in the light of the many dragon lanterns which were swaying in the night breeze. His hair was in a long queue, and on his head he wore the little round black cap of the Chinese, with a button on top.

Chung Goy was so afraid he would miss seeing the dragon. He had never seen it as yet, for he was not so very old, and now that the long-expected moment had come he fairly trembled with excitement.

His ho chun (father) was on this balcony, which was near their home, and he hurried to nestle up to him, as it was cold, and the wind was always blowing in San Francisco.

It seemed as if the procession would never come; he grew tired watching so many people pass, and perhaps the fumes of the opium his father was smoking got into his brain; but, at any rate, the first thing he