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Message: <blockquote data-quote="tzhfsh6" data-source="post: 11442027" data-attributes="member: 380662">〈Eight Cousins〉Serial•Trip to China-2[FONT=宋体]　[/FONT]"Well, child, how would you like to take a voyage round the worldwith me in a jolly old craft like this?" asked her uncle, as theyrested a minute in the captain's cabin.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I should like to see the world, but not in such a small, untidy,smelly place as this. We would go in a yacht all clean andcomfortable; <a href="http://www.cheapoakleysoutlet.org/" target="_blank">Oakley sunglasses cheap</a>,Charlie says that is the proper way," answered Rose,surveying the close quarters with little favour.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"You are not a true Campbell if you don't like the smell of tar andsalt-water, nor Charlie either, with his luxurious yacht. Now comeashore and chin-chin with the Celestials."After a delightful progress through the great warehouse, peepingand picking as they went, they found Uncle Mac and the yellowgentlemen in his private room, <a href="http://www.cheapoakleysoutlet.org/" target="_blank">cheap Oakley sunglasses for sale</a>,where samples, gifts, curiosities,and newly arrived treasures of all sorts were piled up in pleasingpro-fusion and con-fusion.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]As soon as possible Rose retired to a corner, with a porcelain godon one side, a green dragon on the other, and, what was still moreembarrassing, Fun See sat on a tea-chest in front, and stared at herwith his beady black eyes till she did not know where to look.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Mr. Whang Lo was an elderly gentleman in American costume,with his pig-tail neatly wound round his head. He spoke English,and was talking busily with Uncle Mac in the most commonplaceway so Rose considered him a failure.[FONT=宋体] [/FONT]<a href="http://www.cheapoakleysoutlet.org/" target="_blank">cheap Oakley sunglasses for men</a>, But Fun See wasdelightfully Chinese from his junk-like shoes to the button on hispagoda hat; for he had got himself up in style, and was a mass ofsilk jackets and slouchy trousers. He was short and fat, andwaddled comically; his eyes were very "slanting," as Rose said; hisqueue was long, so were his nails; his yellow face was plump andshiny, and he was altogether a highly satisfactory Chinaman.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Uncle Alec told her that Fun See had come out to be educated andcould only speak a little pigeon English; so she must be kind to thepoor fellow, for he was only a lad, though he looked nearly as oldas Mr. Whang Lo. Rose said she would be kind; but had not theleast idea how to entertain the queer guest, who looked as if he hadwalked out of one of the rice-paper landscapes on the wall, and satnodding at her so like a toy Mandarin that she could hardly keepsober.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]In the midst of her polite perplexity, Uncle Mac saw the two youngpeople gazing wistfully at one another, and seemed to enjoy thejoke of this making acquaintance under difficulties. Taking a boxfrom his table, he gave it to Fun See, with an order that seemed toplease him very much.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Descending from his perch, he fell to unpacking it with greatneatness and despatch, while Rose watched him, wondering whatwas going to happen. Presently, out from the wrappings came ateapot, which caused her to clasp her hands with delight, for it wasmade in the likeness of a plump little Chinaman. His hat was thecover, his queue the handle, and his pipe the nose. It stood uponfeet in shoes turned up at the toes, and the smile on the fat, sleepyface was so like that on Fun's when he displayed the teapot, thatRose couldn't help laughing, which pleased him much.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Two pretty cups with covers, and a fine scarlet tray completed theset, and made one long to have a "dish of tea," even in Chinesestyle, without cream or sugar.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]When he had arranged them on a little table before her, Funsignified in pantomime that they were hers, from her uncle. Shereturned her thanks in the same way, whereupon he returned to histea-chest, and, having no other means of communication, they satsmiling and nodding at one another in an absurd sort of way till anew idea seemed to strike Fun. Tumbling off his seat, he waddledaway as fast as his petticoats permitted, leaving Rose hoping thathe had not gone to get a roasted rat, a stewed puppy, or any otherforeign mess which civility would oblige her to eat.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]While she waited for her funny new friend, she improved her mindin a way that would have charmed Aunt Jane. The gentlemen weretalking over all sorts of things, and she listened attentively, storingup much of what she heard, for she had an excellent memory, andlonged to distinguish herself by being able to produce some usefulinformation when reproached with her ignorance.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]She was just trying to impress upon her mind that Amoy was twohundred and eighty miles from Hong Kong, when Fun camescuffling back, bearing what she thought was a small sword, till heunfurled an immense fan, and presented it with a string of Chinesecompliments, the meaning of which would have amused her evenmore than the sound, if she could have understood it.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]She had never seen such an astonishing fan, and at once becameabsorbed in examining it. Of course, there was no perspectivewhatever, which only gave it a peculiar charm to Rose, for in oneplace a lovely lady, with blue knitting-needles in her hair, satdirectly upon the spire of a stately pagoda. In another charmingview a brook appeared to flow in at the front door of a stoutgentleman's house, and out at his chimney. In a third a zig-zag wallwent up into the sky like a flash of lightning, and a bird with twotails was apparently brooding over a fisherman whose boat wasjust going aground upon the moon.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]It was altogether a fascinating thing, and she would have satwafting it to and fro all the afternoon, to Fun's great satisfaction, ifDr. Alec's attention had not suddenly been called to her by abreeze from the big fan that blew his hair into his eyes, andreminded him that they must go. So the pretty china was repacked,Rose furled her fan, and with several parcels of choice teas for theold ladies stowed away in Dr. Alec's pockets, they took their leave,after Fun had saluted them with "the three bendings and the nineknockings," as they salute the Emperor, or "Son of Heaven," athome.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I feel as if I had really been to China, and I'm sure I look so," saidRose, as they glided out of the shadow of the "Rajah."She certainly did, for Mr. Whang Lo had given her a Chineseumbrella; Uncle Alec had got some lanterns to light up herbalcony;[FONT=宋体] [/FONT]<a href="http://www.cheapoakleysoutlet.org/" target="_blank">Oakley sunglasses</a>, the great fan lay in her lap, and the tea-set reposed at herfeet.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"This is not a bad way to study geography, is it?" asked her uncle,who had observed her attention to the talk.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"It is a very pleasant way, and I really think I have learned moreabout China to-day than in all the lessons I had at school, though Iused to rattle off the answers as fast as I could go. No oneexplained anything to us, so all I remember is that tea and silkcome from there, and the women have little bits of feet. I saw Funlooking at mine, and he must have thought them perfectlyimmense," answered Rose, surveying her stout boots with suddencontempt.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"We will have out the maps and the globe, and I'll show you someof my journeys, telling stories as we go. That will be next best todoing it actually.""You are so fond of travelling, I should think it would be very dullfor you here, uncle. Do you know, Aunt Plenty says she is sure youwill be off in a year or two.""Very likely.""Oh, me! what shall I do then?" sighed Rose, in a tone of despairthat made Uncle Alec's face brighten with a look of genuinepleasure as he said significantly"Next time I go I shall take my little anchor with me. How will thatsuit?""Really, uncle?""Really, niece."Rose gave a little bounce of rapture which caused the boat to"wiggle" in a way that speedily quieted her down. But she satbeaming joyfully and trying to think which of some hundredquestions she would ask first, when Dr. Alec said, pointing to aboat that was coming up behind them in great style"How well those fellows row! Look at them, and take notes foryour own use by and by."The "Stormy Petrel" was manned by half a dozen jaunty lookingsailors, who made a fine display of blue shirts and shiny hats, withstars and anchors in every direction.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"How beautifully they go, and they are only boys. Why, I dobelieve they are our boys! Yes, I see Charlie laughing over hisshoulder. Row, uncle, row! Oh, please do, and not let them catchup with us!" cried Rose, in such a state of excitement that the newumbrella nearly went overboard.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"All right, here we go!" and away they did go with a long steadysweep of the oars that carried the "Bonnie Belle" through the waterwith a rush.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]The lads pulled their prettiest, but Dr. Alec would have reachedthe Point first, if Rose, in her flurry, had not retarded him byjerking the rudder ropes in a most unseamanlike way, and just asshe got right again her hat blew off. That put an end to the race,and while they were still fishing for the hat the other boat camealongside, with all the oars in the air, and the jolly young tars readyfor a frolic.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Did you catch a crab, uncle?""No, a blue-fish," he answered, as the dripping hat was landed on aseat to dry.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"What have you been doing?""Seeing Fun.""Good for you, Rose! I know what you mean. We are going to havehim up to show us how to fly the big kite, for we can't get the hangof it. Isn't he great fun, though?""No, little Fun.""Come, stop joking, and show us what you've got.""You'd better hoist that fan for a sail.""Lend Dandy your umbrella; he hates to burn his pretty nose.""I say, uncle, are you going to have a Feast of Lanterns?""No, I'm going to have a feast of bread and butter, for it's tea-time.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]If that black cloud doesn't lie, we shall have a gust before long, soyou had better get home as soon as you can, or your mother will beanxious, Archie.""Ay, ay, skipper. Good-night, Rose; come out often, and we'llteach you all there is to know about rowing," was Charlie's modestinvitation.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Then the boats parted company, and across the water from the"Petrel's" crew came a verse from one of the Nonsense songs inwhich the boys delighted.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Oh, Timballoo! how happy we are,We live in a sieve and a crockery jar![FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]And all night long, in the starlight pale,We sail away, with a pea-green sail,And whistle and warble a moony songTo the echoing sound of a coppery gong.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Far and few, far and fewAre the lands where the Jumblies live;Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,And they went to sea in a sieve."</blockquote>

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