that never came. In their place came famine, gaunt and relentless.
Our family was one of the very first to suffer. Gradually clothes and goods were sold, for my father-in-law's opium craving had to be satisfied somehow, and with it all my miseries increased. Yet I dare not run away, for that meant certain death. In the wake of the famine came fever. Weak with constant opium-smoking, my father-in-law was an early victim, and we buried him hastily outside the village. The two eldest sons left secretly, and bitterly my mother-in-law cursed them for leaving her thus in her distress.
There should have been some help obtainable from the Benevolent Halls; but though many subscriptions had been given in the good years, the money could not be accounted for now that it was wanted, and the man in charge committed suicide when faced by the angry people. The wealthy hid their money lest it should be stolen by the bands of fearless robbers who prowled everywhere. Our home was now sold, and as we soon used up the money, there was nothing for it but to join the crowds of starving people going into the cities to seek for help.
