ene: IN THE EAST INDIES. 173 
Ask father to thank Mr. Thompson for writing 
about his son being in the Philippines; if we do go 
to Manila we shall certainly look him up. 
Good bye with love from us both. 
Your ever affectionate son, 
Tom. 
Hong Kong, April 30, 1907. 
Dear Ma : 
We received such a splendid mail here today; it 
took us simply hours to read it. The gold pieces ar- 
rived safely despite what every one predicted. But, 
as usual, I am sure some of the letters are missing. As 
yet I have no description of Jim, merely your letter 
which began by saying, ‘‘I will not describe J. H. L. to 
you, ete., as Sally has already done that’’; but no let- 
ter from Sal; it is very exasperating. 
This is a most fascinating place, although quite 
European in looks, buildings, streets, ete. There is a 
most attractive harbor with numerous boats, from 
ocean liners to the tiny sampans that dart in and out 
everywhere, and rickshaws in the streets, no horses or 
carriages; these are the views from this room. Tom 
very plously answered some of his mail all the after- 
noon while Katherina and I went shopping. You 
would simply go wild over the things here. There 
are most exquisite crepe shawls, three yards long, 
solidly embroidered, with silk fringe ten or twelve 
inches long. You can get them in all colors, pale 
blues, grays, pinks, whites, ete., and pay anywhere 
from one dollar to twenty dollars. Then such carved 
ivory ; magnificent parasol handles, carved exquisitely, 
$3 and $2.50; and silks, every color and shade imagin- 
