At last the longed-for day came and I found myself with my father landing at Han-yang. At first I was bewildered by the busy crowds and clung to father’s gown as I walked along. How I trembled with excitement as we reached the school, and I think father felt as nervous as I did. But we were inside the gates at last. In a large yard we saw a group of girls playing. I gave a gasp of surprise. How could they run so? Then I saw that their feet were unbound, and the small, pointed shoes had given place to comfortable ones, which didn’t cause them to hobble along. I smiled a welcome at them, and wondered how long it would be before I could run as they did. We were shown in and introduced to the matron, a Chinese lady, who made us feel quite at home, and after a chat two foreign ladies came in. At first I could only stare, and I nearly forgot my manners; but I found that though they were dressed strangely they spoke my language; so my fear left me and I was soon enrolled as a scholar in the David Hill Girls’ School, and proud I was of the fact, too. Truly my new name suited me—I had found rest and peace. CHAPTER VIII. THE GIRLS’ SCHOOL. So began my school-life. There is not time to tell you all about it now. There were about seventy of us there, from five to seventeen years old. Some of them had been slave girls, and could tell a story to match mine. Twice a day we gathered for meals, and we learnt to clean out our rooms, mend and wash our clothes, and make our own shoes, so as to be useful when we returned home. Then there was study and drill, and all of it was so interesting—not a bit like the dry way they teach in Chinese schools. Yet, best of all, were the Sunday services in the chapel and the class-meeting and Bible-study in the week. My feet were gradually loosened, and as they grew again I learned to skip and run with the other girls; and when I went home it was wonderful the impression made on the people in our out-of-the-way village. Several years have gone by since I went to school and entered upon that new life. Now I am learning to teach others; for teachers are badly needed in our schools and women teachers are difficult to get. To-day I have been thinking over my life. Like a dreadful dream there rises before me the picture of Yin-dee, the neglected little slave of a cruel woman. I see myself hobbling over the ground picking cotton, or in the evil home making tea for opium-smokers and gamblers. I almost expect to hear the harsh tones of my mother-in-law calling me to do some menial duty.