We come back for our afternoon's work. The first part we spend in writing, and the remainder of the day preparing our lesson for the next morning. For the slightest offense the children are whipped severely. The teachers are so strict, that it is no wonder the children run away from school; some go fishing, or else to the woods hunting birds' nests. If the boys see anybody not belonging to their company they will climb up a tree as high as the branch can hide them from view. All you boys will know the reason we are afraid any one should see us. I remember running away from school once, but unfortunately my father sent my sister to the school for me to go home on business. As she could not find me, my father knew I had not been to school that day. I went home for lunch about the time school dismissed. When I got home, the first question my father asked was, "School dismissed?" I answered, "Yes sir." He then said, "How did you get along with your lesson?" I answered, "First class." "And who was the first one in the class to-day?" I answered, "I am, sir." Then I noticed his voice seemed to have an angry tone, and he said, "Are you sure you have been to school?" I answered, "Of course I did, do you think I am a liar?" I got terribly whipped this time, and when I went to school in the afternoon, I also got a whipping from the teacher. I did not have any more chance for running away from school this year, for I was too closely watched. The children of China, you see, have no pleasant time as you American boys and girls. The high schools are quite different from the primary. The students have to lodge and board in the school-house. We get up in the morning before daybreak to study; the teacher and all the students go to the explanation hall for our lesson. The teacher explains the meaning of the lesson, and in the afternoon we are expected to recite and give the explanation as given by the teacher. This is the hardest work of the whole day. Our evening lesson is studying essays and poems by Chinese Princes. About eleven o'clock school closes, and in a very few minutes I am sure you will find no one awake. In winter time we manage to get about six hours for sleep, but in summer only about four. We generally {pg 215} sleep a little while at the noon recess. It would not be surprising if when the teacher could not see us, we try to take a little nap in our seat. Each boy has a table to himself. None of the scholars sit erect as your American custom. Every boy leans his head upon his hands, so that he can manage to take a little sleep when the teacher is not looking.