Perhaps it was because Cousin Peregrine was so very seldom troubled by
chubby English children with a claim on his good nature that he was
particularly indulgent to his young cousins. However this may be, they
soon stood in no awe of him, and a chorus cried around him--
"Where's your new medal, Cousin? What's it about? What's on it?"
"Taku Forts," said Cousin Peregrine, smiling grimly.
"What's Tar--Koo?" inquired the young people.
"Taku is the name of a place in China, and you know I've just come from
China," said Cousin Peregrine.
On which six voices cried--
"Did you drink nothing but tea?"
"Did you buy lots of old China dragons?"
"Did you see any ladies with half their feet cut off?"
"Did you live in a house with bells hanging from the roof?"
"Are the Chinese like the people on Mamma's fan?"
"Did you wear a pigtail?"
Cousin Peregrine's hair was so very short that the last question raised
a roar of laughter, after which the chorus spoke with one voice--
"Do tell us all about China!"
At which he put on a serio-comic countenance, and answered with much
gravity--
"Oh, certainly, with all my heart. It will be rather a long story, but
never mind. By the way, I am afraid I can hardly begin much before the
birth of Confucius, but as that happened in or about the year 550
B.
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