r be remarkably clever, or they must have applied themselves with
unusual devotion." They led their class in their Junior year, and in their
Senior year were surpassed by only one student. Dr. Breakey, specialist in
skin troubles, on whose staff they worked during their Senior year, speaks
warmly of their earnestness and devotion to their work. Another professor
said at the time of their graduation, "They will be a credit to the
University of Michigan. The society which provided for their course will
never regret having done so."

As their study at the University drew to a close, the young physicians
received many evidences of the appreciation that was felt for the work they
had done. Before commencement a reception was given them in the Methodist
church of Ann Arbor, at which each of them received a case of valuable
surgical instruments. Many other gifts were also showered upon them,--from
medical cases, cameras, clocks, and bedquilts, to books and dainty
handkerchiefs.

In order not to attract attention they had adopted American dress during
their stay in Ann Arbor; but their graduation dresses were sent from China,
made in Chinese style, of beautiful Chinese silk, with slippers of the same
material,--Ida's blue, Mary's delicate pink. Seven hundred and forty-five
students received their diplomas at that commencement, but to none was
accorded the universal and prolonged applause which broke forth as the two
young Chinese women stepped on the platform to take their diplomas from
President Angell's hands. Even the medical faculty applauded heartily, the
only time that the staff joined in the demonstrations of the audience. One
who was in the audience says, "Their bearing and dignity made us very proud
of them." President Angell was much interested in them and said to their
friends, "Their future career will be watched with every expectation of
eminent success."

The two months succeeding their graduation were spent in Chicago in
hospital work, and in the autumn they sailed for China. While they were in
America an old gentleman said to Ida, "I am glad you are going back to your
country as a physician. Your people need physicians more than they need
missionaries." The Chinese reverence for old age was too great to permit
Ida to contradict him, but turning to her friends she said quietly, "Time
is short--eternity is long." So it was not only as a physician, but as a
regularly appointed medical missionary that she returned