"Oh, he's just fifty years out of date, that's all," commented another. "That's the way it was when _he_ went to the field--the imperialistic white man and the downtrodden native--but times have changed. People wouldn't act like that now. Each race has its own culture, and its own contribution to make to enrich the culture of the world. We realize all this now. The Christian world has come a long way since _he_ was in training. Pride of race! We're more likely to be ashamed of our race, if he only knew it. Look at the state the world's in--all trouble stirred up by the white race!" "Some of those old missionaries _were_ imperialistic, all right!" A slight, blond youth joined the conversation. "You should hear some of the tales my father tells! Ordering the native people around as if they were slaves! Such cases were few and far between, of course. But, you know, I don't think that's the sort of thing he was driving at. Times may change, but not the human heart. Pride is just as easy a sin to fall into as it ever was. Thinking that we're better than someone else--it may not be because of our race, but merely because the other fellow is poor or uneducated--we can't just dismiss it and say, 'I'm in no danger of that.'" "Well, perhaps there's something--" "Aw, just because you grew up on a mission field--" "You know, _I_ think--" Several began to talk at once. Suddenly a gong rang, and the group scattered in all directions. "Oh, Ann, I've been wanting to find you! A bunch of us are planning to go to Tong's for a Chinese meal. Do you want to come along?" "Chinese meal? Dear me, I've never had one. Do you have to eat with chopsticks? Don't they serve you rats and mice and all sorts of horrible things?" "Of course not, you silly! There are the most delicious things! And you don't have to eat with chopsticks unless you want to. In fact, they always give us knives and forks unless we especially ask for chopsticks. But I adore strange ways! This will be my third time for Chinese food. We always ask for chopsticks--it's the most fun trying to use them! Though I must admit that we usually give up halfway--the food is so delicious and we're so hungry we have to. Then you'll come?" "Well--to tell the truth, I'm afraid it will be some awful stuff I can't eat." "I'm surprised at you, Ann! You're a missionary candidate, aren't you? You'll _have_ to get used to strange--" "No, but it seems so sort of uncivilized to eat with sticks, or fingers--and all out of one dish, isn't it? Ugh!" "Now don't be fussy! Didn't you hear that missionary talk last night? You've got to appreciate other people's ways on the mission field--can't go around thinking your ways are best!" "I know." Ann was suddenly very serious. "But there's only one thing about it that bothers me. What if your own ways really _are_ best?" * * * * *