this game, and there is great laughter when a string is cut.

13. In the house, during the day, girls like to blow soap bubbles. At
dusk they are fond of hunting fire-flies, and driving them to and fro
with fans.

14. In the summer they catch grasshoppers, and keep them in small bamboo
cages. They say that the chirping of the grasshoppers brings them good
luck.

15. All Japs are polite--even boys. When a boy goes to the house of a
friend he squats on his heels. Then he places his hands on the floor,
and bows until his forehead touches his toes. This he does again and
again, and all the time he speaks very politely.

[Illustration: {Boys bowing}]

16. Jap children are taught to be very kind and helpful to their elders,
and to the poor and the weak. Yesterday I saw a little girl run from her
mother to take the hand of a blind man and lead him across the street.

17. Now, my dears, I must end this letter. To-morrow I start on my
homeward way. I shall sail across the ocean to the great land of
America. I hope you are all well, good, and happy. Your loving FATHER.

* * * * *

24. A LETTER FROM CANADA.