In the midst of the tea drinkers a man was lying curled on a mat, a bent elbow his pillow, and fast asleep, with the opium pipe still beside him, and the lamp still lit.

A pretty little girl from the adjoining cottage came shyly out to see me.

I called her to me and gave her some sweetmeat.

I wished to put it in her mouth but she would not let me, and ran off indoors.

I looked into the room after her and saw her father take the lolly from her and give it to her fat little baby brother, who seemed the best fed urchin in the town.