nd silk, and was, moreover, the land of their
dear little Sky-High, was like listening to the "Arabian Nights." The
winter passed away quickly, delightful with their preparations for the
great journey.

"You said that you had lived with the mandarin of Manchuria, I think,"
remarked Mr. Van Buren to Sky-High one evening.

"With _a_ mandarin in Manchuria, master," corrected Sky-High.
"There are many mandarins in Manchuria. Manchuria is a large country."

"Are there more people than in Boston?" asked Charlie.

"I do not know how many there are in Boston--there are fifteen million
in the province of Manchuria."

"Did the mandarin live in great, wonderful, gorgeous splendor?" asked
Lucy.

Sky-High's eyes opened with a gleam. "His gifts are gold," he said.
"His dragons have teeth of gold. The monoliths in his garden are one
thousand, it may be two thousand years old. At the Feast of Lanterns he
covers the sky over his palace with fire. You should see his gardens and
the gables of his houses! It takes some minutes to speak his whole name."

"I wish I could look upon a man like that!" said Charlie. "I hope we
shall see that mandarin when we go to China."

"That will be easy," said Sky-High.

* * * * *

The family sailed away from the Pacific coast in the spring. Mr. and
Mrs. Van Buren really felt very glad to have such an intelligent servant
as Sky-High for their visit to the Chinese provinces, even though they
were to leave him behind at his home.

When they arrived at Hong Kong there was a surprise. Some officials at
the port appeared to recognize Sky-High, and brought to him an
important-looking mail which he received with a sudden dignity. He also
was paid attentions from notable Chinese people, such as servants would
not seem likely to meet.

Mr. Van Buren finally explained it to himself. He carried letters to
many consuls and commercial houses. Sky-High was noticed because he was
in his service. "In such countries," said Mr. Van Buren, "customs are
different from ours."

Certain high Chinamen in the hongs--the trade-houses--bowed low in a
most respectful way to Sky-High, their manner very noticeable. Whenever
Lucy and Charles accompanied him they were offered Chinese sweetmeats
or novel toys of ivory and jade.

"The people are very kind and polite to you," said Mr. Van Buren to
Sky-High, one day. "You are fortunate to come back in our service.
Our family has traded with Chi