They were shown to their seats, and then the children looked around, waited eagerly for the curtain to go up, while Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey talked together.  More and more people came in.  There were a large number of children, for it was a play especially for them, though, of course, lots of “grown-ups” came also.

The musicians entered and took their places on the funny little place back of a brass rail.  Then came the delicious thrills of the squeaking violins as they were tuned, the tap-tap of the drum, the tinkle of a piano, and the soft, low notes of a flute.

“Oh, it’s going to begin soon,” whispered Nell to Nan.

“I hope it’s a good show,” said Bert to his chum Billy, and trying to speak as if he went to a matinee every other day at least.

“Oh, they have pretty good shows here,” Billy said.

“Look!” suddenly whispered Nan, pointing to a box at their left.  “Look at the Chinese children!”

And, surely enough, into a near-by box came several boys and girls about the age of the Bobbsey twins, and some almost babies, but they were dressed in beautiful blue, golden and red silken garments.  And with them came their father, who also wore a silk robe of blue, embroidered with golden birds.

“Who are they—­some of the actors in the play?” asked Bert.

“No, that’s the Chinese minister and some of his family, and I guess some of their friends,” explained Billy.  “I’ve seen them before.  They don’t often dress up in the same kind of clothes they wear in China, but they did to-day.”

“Oh, aren’t they cute!” said Nell to Nan.

“Too lovely for anything!” agreed Nan enthusiastically.

Many eyes were on the box, but the Chinese minister and his beautifully dressed children did not seem to mind being looked at.  The children were just as much interested in staring about the theater as were the Bobbsey twins, and the Oriental tots probably thought that the other children were even more queer than the American boys and girls thought the Chinese to be.

Having given a good deal of attention to the Chinese children in the box, the Bobbseys looked around the theater at the other little folk in the audience.

“Oh, look at the funny fat boy over there!” cried out Freddie in a loud voice.

“Hush, hush, Freddie!” whispered Nan quickly.  “You mustn’t talk so loud.  Every one will hear you.”

“But he is awful fat, isn’t he?” insisted Freddie.

“He isn’t any fatter than you’ll be if you keep on eating so much,” remarked Bert.

“Oh, I don’t eat any more than I have to,” declared the little boy.  “When you are really and truly hungry you can’t help eating.  Nobody can!”

“And you’re hungry most all the time,” said Bert.

“I’m not at all!  I’m hungry only when—­when—­I’m hungry,” was Freddie’s reply.

Then the orchestra began to play, and, a little later, the curtain went up and the fairy play began.