“I have arranged it all,” said Sky-High simply.  “A barge will meet you, and take you to this summer palace.  There will be fireworks for the sake of Charles and Lucy; the heavens will blaze.  The mandarins have heard of your family.  They wish to receive you and to please the children of the mandarin of Boston.”

Lucy danced at these hospitable words.  She had treated little Sky-High like a wang.  She had dreamed that he was a wang.  Perhaps—­well, little Lucy found it thrilling to feel that almost anything splendid might happen!

But Mr. Van Buren had no idea that his family had become of importance to the grandees of China, although it was true that his father and grandfather had traded in the country and had extensive correspondence with the hongs.  “Sky-High,” said he, “you must be simply amusing yourself!  A grand mandarin would not order fireworks for Charles and Lucy.  What mandarin is he?”

“Of the Crystal province.  He has heard of you; he wishes to honor you as a noble American and the friend of his people.”

Mr. Van Buren wondered if his wife’s little house-boy had gone insane.  He spoke with impatience.  “Let us not be fooling ourselves with this business any longer!”

“I have never deceived you, master,” said the little serving-man.  “I am as the great George Washington in his youth.  The mandarin of the province of the Crystal Sea holds you in high esteem, and he wishes to entertain the children.”

Mr. Van Buren inquired at the American consular office concerning this “Mandarin of the province of the Crystal Sea.”  The consul informed him, with a smile, that the mandarin in question was especially rich and powerful, that he took an interest in American manners and customs, and often entertained Americans who had been kind to his people in America as well as merchants who had dealt honorably with the Chinese.

Still, Mr. Van Buren could not understand how a great and high-born mandarin should be in communication with his servant.

Here little Lucy spoke up.  “Papa, I know it is all so!  Our Sky-High has never told a lie.  Even General George Washington would have liked him.”

XVI.

IN THE LITTLE WANG’S LAND.

The family set out for Canton under the direction of their little servant, whose heart seemed full of anticipation and delight.

The boat stopped when some distance still from the city.  A gilded barge with a dragon’s head and silken curtains had come to meet them.  Not far away they saw a landing, with boats and people.

“You are to wait for me here,” said little Sky-High, as he went aboard the barge.  “I will return soon.”

Gongs sounded, banners waved, as the gilded boat made its way through the river craft.  Mr. Van Buren could see a row of sedan chairs standing upon the landing, gorgeous in gilded frames and silk curtains, with bearers and servants in rich costumes.  Presently, among these people they saw their little Sky-High approach a tall man, who seemed to be a master of ceremonies, when the gongs were again beaten.