Page:They're a multitoode (1900).djvu/66

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seemed a dream. One day the missionary heard my story. "You have come out of much tribulation," he said. Then turning to father, he remarked, "Why not give her a new name?" "Yes," said father, "we will not call her Yin-dee any more, but Ping-an—Rest and Peace—for that is what I have now found in Christ." So that is how my name was changed.

Then it was suggested that I ought not to grow up ignorant, but should learn to read and write; for in the Christian religion there is no difference made between girls and boys—all are alike precious to Jesus. The missionary told us that at Han-yang there was a school for girls, where many were living and being taught useful things, and, best of all, were taught the story of Christ. How excited I was at the prospect of going, though not a little afraid of so strange a place!

At last the longed-for day came and I found myself with my father landing at Han-yang. At first I was bewildered by the busy crowds and clung to father's gown as I walked along. How I trembled with excitement as we reached the school, and I think father felt as nervous as I did. But we were inside the gates at last. In a large yard we saw a group of girls playing. I gave a gasp of surprise. How could they run so? Then I saw that their feet were unbound, and the small, pointed shoes had given place to comfortable ones, which didn't cause them to hobble along. I smiled a welcome at them, and wondered how long it would be before I could run as they did.