o discuss with An Ching ways and means for releasing
the children.

The arrangements were very simple. In eight days' time there would be
sufficient moonlight.

The children were to wait until they were sure that Ku Nai-nai was
asleep, and then squeeze themselves through the window over their kang
and come out into the court. Chang would be on his side with Chi Fu, and
they would let down a large round basket, into which the children must
get, one at a time, and be hauled over the wall. An Ching suggested that
she should ask Ku Nai-nai to allow her to go and visit a relative on the
day which would be arranged for the flight, and she would stay there all
night, to avoid suspicion. She saw very well that Chang could not take
her away too, but she begged him to aid her if she found any means of
joining Nelly later. Chang promised to think about it. Then he threw
Nelly the pencil and a sheet of paper, and took leave of them all for
that day. Nelly at once began to consider what to say to her parents,
and finally wrote the following letter:

'DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER--I am quite safe here in Yung Ching
with the Kus, and so is Little Yi, but we want to come home.
Chang, who lives next door and heard us singing, is going to
try to help us to get away. Ku Hung Li, who stole us, says he
will send us home with a barber, but I would rather go with
Chang. There is a very nice girl called An Ching, who is very
kind to us, and I want her to come and live with us in Peking,
but her feet are very small, so she can't do much, though she
can sew beautifully. How is Baby Buckle? and Bob and Bessie and
Arthur, and all the other children? I wear Chinese dress now,
but my hair has only been shaved once. There is no more room on
this paper, and this is all I have. Chang gave me it; he is a
Christian.

'Your loving daughter,
'NELLY GREY.'

This letter took Nelly more than a day to write. When it was done she
threw it over the wall into Chang's compound.

Chang and Chi Fu were very busy during the next few days in making
arrangements for a cart to be ready on the night fixed for the flight.
Nelly and Little Yi on their side were all impatience for the day to
arrive, and poor An Ching was despondent. She hunted over all her
treasures, and gave each of the children a keepsake. Nelly's was a
little square looking-glass with tassels, to hang from her belt, and
Little