ophet.
He was positively elate. If I were a pantheist I should think him a
relative of the northeast wind. The storm of the previous night had
been exactly to his liking. All his worst prognostications had been
fulfilled, and quite a bit thrown in _par dessus le marche_. He told
me that a tiny, rickety house across the harbour had first been
unroofed, and then one of the walls blown in. It is a real disaster
for the family, for they are poor enough without having Kismet thus
descend upon them.

The hospital boat had held on safely, but several little craft were
driven ashore. Naturally the children love the aftermath of such an
event, for the world is turned for them into one large, entrancing
puddle, bordered with embryo mud pies.

Topsy again! I am informed that she has tried to convert her Sunday
best into a hobble skirt, reducing it in the process to something
hopelessly ludicrous. It can never, never be worn again.

My arm aches and I cannot decide whether it is from much orphan
scrubbing or from much writing, but in either case I must bid you _au
revoir_.

_September 25_

Last night I was awakened by a terrific noise proceeding from the
lower regions. Armed with my umbrella, the only semblance of a stick
within reach, I descended on a tour of investigation. Opening the
larder door I beheld six huge dogs, and devastation reigning supreme.
These dogs are half wolf in breed, and very destructive, as I can
testify. When I wildly brandished my umbrella, which could not
possibly have harmed them, they jumped through the closed window
leaving not a pane of glass behind. This, I suppose, is merely a
nocturnal interlude to break the monotony of life in a country which
boasts no burglars.

The children attend the Mission school, and yesterday Topsy was sent
home in dire disgrace for lying and cheating. She is not to be
permitted to return until she is willing to confess and apologize. She
thereupon tried to commit suicide by swallowing paper pellets, and in
the night the doctor had to be called in to prescribe. She is white
and wan to-day, but when I went in to bid her good-night I found her
thrilling over a new prayer which she had learned, and which she
repeated to me with deep emotion:

"Little children, be ye wise,
Speak the truth and tell no lies.
The LORD'S portion is to dwell
Forever in the flames of hell."

I want to tell you something about our babies. They are four in
number