Moments dragged on. Then suddenly the door swung wide. A little man in a wide robe stepped out, bowed low, then said in perfect English:
“The humble accommodations of our poor temple are at your service.”
“We—we’d like some tea,” said Jan.
“You shall have tea and hot rice cakes. Then, if you wish, you may rest.
“The monkeys,” he added, noting Gale’s look of apprehension, “are harmless. They are great pets. No animals are ever harmed here.”
“And we too,” he smiled broadly, “are harmless. Our only wish is to serve. And to serve ladies of your rank from the land that is to free our land, China,—ah! That is a rare privilege.” He led the way into the temple.
“You came a long way to see our temple. We are highly honored,” said the monk when they were all three seated at a plain board table.
“Oh, we didn’t come to see your temple,” Jan volunteered. “We—” she caught Gale’s eye, then stopped short.
“We have a mission that takes us farther into the mountains,” Gale stated simply.
“Alone?” The monk stared at her.