Ah Oi laughed her peculiar, rippling, amused laugh. She was in no wise abashed, and, indeed, appeared to be enjoying the situation. Her bright, defiant eyes met her questioner’s boldly as she answered: “Mag-gee has gone to eat beef and potatoes with a white man. Oh, we had such a merry time making this play!” “See how worthless a thing she is,” said Hwuy Yen to the young bridegroom. The latter regarded Ah Oi compassionately. He was a man, and perhaps a little tenderness crept into his heart for the girl towards whom so much bitterness was evinced. She was beautiful. He drew near to her. “Can you not justify yourself?” he asked sadly. For a moment Ah Oi gazed into his eyes—the only eyes that had looked with true kindness into hers for many a moon. “You justify me,” she replied with an upward, pleading glance. Then Ke Leang, the bridegroom, spoke. He said: “The daughter of Hwuy Yen cared not to become my bride and has sought her happiness with another. Ah Oi, having a kind heart, helped her to that happiness, and tried to recompense me my loss by giving me herself. She has been unwise and indiscreet; but the good that is in her is more than the evil, and now that she is my wife, none shall say a word against her.” Ah Oi pulled at his sleeve. “You give me credit for what I do not deserve,” said she. “I had no kind feelings. I thought only of mischief, and I am not your wife. It is but a play like the play I shall act tomorrow.” “Hush!” bade Ke Leang. “You shall act no more. I will marry you again and take you to China.” Then something in Ah Oi’s breast, which for a long time had been hard as stone, became soft and tender, and her eyes ran over with tears. “Oh, sir,” said she, “it takes a heart to make a heart, and you have put one today in the bosom of a Sing Song Woman.” _Tales of Chinese Children_ THE SILVER LEAVES There was a fringe of trees along an open field. They were not very tall trees, neither were they trees that flowered or fruited; but to the eyes of Ah Leen they were very beautiful. Their slender branches were covered with leaves of a light green showing a silvery under surface, and when the wind moved or tossed them, silver gleams flashed through the green in a most enchanting way. Ah Leen stood on the other side of the road admiring the trees with the silver leaves. A little old woman carrying a basket full of ducks’ eggs came happily hobbling along. She paused by the side of Ah Leen. “Happy love!” said she. “Your eyes are as bright as jade jewels!” Ah Leen drew a long breath. “See!” said she, “the dancing leaves.” The little old woman adjusted her blue goggles and looked up at the trees. “If only,” said she, “some of that silver was up my sleeve, I would buy you a pink parasol and a folding fan.”