Chiang was then given command of a regiment, and led three thousand men to Hangchow, Wenchow, and Taichow, all in his native province of Chekiang. His exploits sounded impressive, but the truth was that he encountered practically no opposition. As soon as a force was led against a town, imperial authority collapsed. Officials resigned or fled, and revolutionary leaders, mostly military, assumed authority. The progress was gratifying but hardly exciting.

Her mother came back in and pulled her out into the hallway as if she were bundling her off on a date and whispered urgently to her.

We got a horseface for a home room teacher.

The boy dragged on his rope reins, stirred a bit painfully in his seat, and drove slowly and knockingly away.