In the providence of God the lives of a few missionaries had been spared to return, and with the benefit of their experience, to help new workers to an understanding of a situation which, mishandled, would inevitably lead to disastrous consequences. Nothing could give Mrs. Hsi greater pleasure than to hear from her friend, Miss French, that Hwochow was to be her future centre. I, as a new worker, was to accompany her, and together we reached the city which was to be henceforth our home. The reception given by the very few Christians who gathered to meet us, was both cordial and critical. Miss French was welcome as being one whose reputation had long ago reached them, who had already paid several visits to the station, and whose Chinese, they soon remarked, was "as good as Miss Jacobsen's!" Of me they knew nothing, and I had to meet the gaze of many eyes and listen to the remark, before I opened my month to speak, that it was impossible to understand my words. I had only one asset, and that was the fact that this being my first station I should belong to them, and when the day dawned that would release my stammering tongue, the honour of having taught and trained me would be theirs! FOOTNOTES: [4] _Yamen_=law courts or Mansion House. [5] From _Fire and Sword in Shansi_, by Dr. E. H. Edwards. LIFE IN THE VILLAGES "Great things are done when men and mountains meet; These are not done by jostling in the street." WILLIAM BLAKE. "Arrived there, the little house they fill, No look for entertainment where none was; Rest is their feast, and all things at their will; The noblest mind the best contentment has." WILLIAM SPENSER. CHAPTER V LIFE IN THE VILLAGES AN INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE HOME LIFE