ch woman was called, etc.

So home she came, resolved to do better. Toy was placidly finishing up
for the afternoon. Billy followed him around for a while, being a
housekeeper. Toy watched her with round, astonished eyes. Finally he
turned on her with vast indignation.

"Look here, Mis' White," said he. "What a matter with you? You talk just
like one old woman!"

Billy paused in her mad career and considered. That was just what she
was talking like. She laughed. Toy laughed. Billy went shooting.

After your Chinaman becomes well acquainted with you, he develops human
traits that are astonishing only in contrast to his former mask of
absolute stolidity. To the stranger the Oriental is as impassive and
inscrutable as a stone Buddha, so that at last we come to read his
attitude into his inner life, and to conclude him without emotion. This
is also largely true of the Indian. As a matter of fact, your heathen is
rather vividly alive inside. His enjoyment is keen, his curiosity
lively, his emotions near the surface. If you have or expect to have
visitors, you must tell Ah Sing all about them--their station in life,
their importance, and the like. He will listen, keenly interested,
gravely nodding his pig-tailed, shaven head. Then, if your visitors are
from the East, you inform them of what every Californian knows--that
each and every member of a household must say "good morning"
ceremoniously to Ah Sing. And Ah Sing will smile blandly and duck his
pig-tailed, shaven head, and wish each member "good morning" back
again. It is sometimes very funny to hear the matin chorus of a dozen
people crying out their volley of salute to ceremony; and to hear again
the Chinaman's conscientious reply to each in turn down the long
table--"_Good_ mo'ning, Mr. White; _good_ mo'ning, Mis' White; _good_
mo'ning, Mr. Lewis----" and so on, until each has been remembered. There
are some families that, either from ignorance or pride, omit this and
kindred little human ceremonials. The omission is accepted; but that
family is never "my family" to the servant within its gates.

For your Chinaman is absolutely faithful and loyal and trustworthy. He
can be allowed to handle any amount of money for you. We ourselves are
away from home a great deal. When we get ready to go, we simply pack our
trunks and depart. Toy then puts away the silver and valuables and
places them in the bank vaults, closes the house, and puts all in order.
A week or so before