fresh immigration is supposed to be
possible. Most of the Chinese servants are old timers, who have learned
white people's ways, and--what is more important--understand them. They
are quite capable of initiative; and much more intelligent than the
average white servant.

But a green Chinaman is certainly funny. He does things forever-after
just as you show him the first time; and a cataclysm of nature is
required to shake his purpose. Back in the middle 'eighties my father,
moving into a new house, dumped the ashes beside the kitchen steps
pending the completion of a suitable ash bin. When the latter had been
built, he had Gin Gwee move the ashes from the kitchen steps to the bin.
This happened to be of a Friday. Ever after Gin Gwee deposited the ashes
by the kitchen steps every day; and on Friday solemnly transferred them
to the ash bin! Nor could anything persuade him to desist.

Again he was given pail, soap, and brush, shown the front steps and walk
leading to the gate, and set to work. Gin Gwee disappeared. When we went
to hunt him up, we found him half way down the block, still scrubbing
away. I was in favour of letting him alone to see how far he would go,
but mother had other ideas as to his activities.

These stories could be multiplied indefinitely; and are detailed by the
dozen as proof of the "stupidity" of the Chinese. The Chinese are
anything but stupid; and, as I have said before, when once they have
grasped the logic of the situation, can figure out a case with the best
of them.

They are, however, great sticklers for formalism; and disapprove of any
short cuts in ceremony. As soon leave with the silver as without waiting
for the finger bowls. A friend of mine, training a new man by example,
as new men of this nationality are always trained, was showing him how
to receive a caller. Therefore she rang her own doorbell, presented a
card; in short, went through the whole performance. Tom understood
perfectly. That same afternoon Mrs. G----, a next-door neighbour and
intimate friend, ran over for a chat. She rang the bell. Tom appeared.

"Is Mrs. B---- at home?" inquired the friend.

Tom planted himself square in the doorway. He surveyed her with a cold
and glittering eye.

"You got ticket?" he demanded. "You no got ticket, you no come in!"

On another occasion two ladies came to call on Mrs. B---- but by mistake
blundered to the kitchen door. Mrs. B----'s house is a bungalow and on a
corner. Tom a