“Sure you were,” said Kate.

“That is enough. Leave your brother alone. You know that history is not his strong point, especially American history.” Father then turned and looked at Mr. Binns. “Will we be getting to your cousin’s house soon?”

“Yes, we are going to 310 Cherry Street. It is just a few blocks from here. But if I could impose, I would like to take a slight detour to do a little business and at the same time show off some of Philadelphia.”

“That would be fine. Where will we be going,” asked Father.

“He is going to pick up another batch of his special potion,” said Dawsey.

“Yes, Dawsey, thee is correct. You know that my customers appreciate the effectiveness of laudanum,” pointed out Mr. Binns. “We will be going to 8^th and Race Street to a store that carries Anchor Brand.” Mr. Binns turned to Kate. “It might help with Thee getting a good night sleep tonight.”

“Thank you, Mr. Binns. But I think that sleeping in a bed that does not roll around should be enough to help me sleep,” said Kate.

“Well if Thee changes your mind, just let me know and I can let you try it.”

“I am glad that you are not going to use the laudanum,” Father smiled at Kate. “I have heard that it will put you to sleep fast, but I do not like taking drugs to get to sleep. Still, thank you Mr. Binns for your kind offer.”

“Not everybody takes to it well. A few people have what I call a bad, waking dream. But most just get calm, then fall asleep. My biggest customers are mothers who give it to their colicky babies. A little drop puts the baby right to sleep.”

“It is safe for babies?” asked Kate.

“Oh yes, most certainly. It works like a charm,” replied Mr. Binns.

“Yes, a drop will put a baby to sleep. A whole bottle will put a horse to sleep,” added Dawsey.

“Thee should know.” Mr. Binns scowled at Dawsey.

Bertie giggled. “Is that what you gave the horse?”

Incredulously, Mr. Binns asked, “Did Thee know about the horse almost dying?”

“Not exactly, I did not know about the horse almost dying or that Dawsey used laudanum on the horse. He just told me that there was a ‘horse incident’ brought on by an ‘Anchor’. I thought that he had dropped an anchor on the horse’s head or something like that.” Bertie grinned at Dawsey.

“I think that I would have been in less trouble if I had used an anchor. I got into a lot of trouble that day if you recall from my letter.”

“Does thou think that thee should not have been punished? I almost lost my horse and I lost a bottle of the laudanum. Our livelihood depends on both of those items.”

“Yes, Papa, feeding the horse a bottle of laudanum was wrong.” Dawsey looked at the floor of the carriage.

Just then, Vicki looked up and pointed, “Oh look, is that Race Street?”

“No, that is Cherry Street, but we are getting close now. See over there?” Mr. Binns pointed at a corner store on the next corner. “That is Mr. Zhao’s Pharmacopium. I get the best prices for my supplies at that store.” The horse and carriage trotted up to the front the store.

“Well, This is where I will get off. Dawsey I want you to come in with me.”, said Mr. Binns.

“Do I have to?”, said Dawsey.

“Yes, Thee must come in with me.”

“Please, can I stay out here with the Haigh family?”

“No, I need your help inside.”

“Father, can I go in with Dawsey? I would like to see what this Pharmacopium looks like inside,” asked Bertie.

“Yes, if Mr. Burns thinks that would be helpful,” Father looked at Mr. Binns, “Would that be all right if Bertie joins you?”

“Yes, that would be great. I can always use another set of hands to help me move my goods on to the carriage” Bertie jumped off the carriage and started to run into the store.

“Whoa there young lad! Wait for us to join you,” said Mr. Binns. Dawsey and Mr. Binns got off of the carriage.

Mr. Binns turned to the carriage and the driver. “We will be just a few minutes, but if you could drive the carriage around the block while we are in the store, that would be helpful.”

“We will just circle around the block until I we see you,” said the driver. “Gideeyup!” The horses moved forward and the carriage took off down the road.

Mr. Binns and the boys turned and headed into Dr. Zhao’s Pharmacopium. When they entered the store, they could see all sorts of boxes, bottles, and potions. There were plants and animals hanging on the walls. The store had the smell of a pharmacy and was noisy with customers talking.

“靈芝蘑菇在哪裡,” said one customer.

“我需要一些濕冷的人的東西,” said a second customer.

“聞起來很香，你今天要煮什麼,” said a third.

“Mr. Binns, you are early. I was not expecting you until tomorrow,” said a middle-aged Chinese man with a long braid.

“Hello Friend Zhao! I am here early to pick up my young friend from the docks.” Mr. Binns put his arm on Bertie’s shoulder. “He is here all the way from Britain.”

“Welcome, welcome! Glad that you could make it to my humble store all the way from Britain,” Dr. Zhao’s eyes sparkled. “and what would your name be?”

“My name is Bertie Haigh. This is a brilliant store! There is so much here.”

“Did you come all this way to buy something special? I have many rare and exotic potions.” Dr. Zhao winked at Mr. Binns.

“No, I came to visit my friend Dawsey.” Bertie smiled at Dawsey. “Then my family will get on a train and go to Texas.”

“Ah Texas, a place I never want to go to, but from all accounts it is beautiful,” said Dr. Zhao who turned to Mr. Binns. “Well you are in luck. I have all of your boxes. Is there anything else that you need?”

“Only some ginger candies for the boys.” Dr. Zhao reached up on the shelf, grabbed a jar that contained little yellow sugarcoated candies, and put a scoop of the candies in a bag. “let me see, for 6 boxes of Anchor Brand Laudanum and one bag of candy that will come to $30.”

“Here you go $30. Thank you Friend Zhao. You have been very helpful as usual. Oh, I almost forgot, did your parents make it to San Francisco? I would hate to see them arrive in the U.S. just to be forced to return to China.” said Mr. Binns.

Dr. Zhao took the money. “Yes, they have arrived in San Francisco. They are on a train right now and will arrive here in Philadelphia in a few days. Hopefully they arrive here in Philadelphia before the 該死的 Exclusion Act is official.”

“Yes, I hope that they get here in time too.” Mr. Binns turned to the boys. “OK, two boxes for each of you and I will take two boxes and the candy.” They all took their boxes and headed to the door. One of the assistants held the door, but glared at the Mr. Binns as they left the store.

“Thank you friend,” said Mr. Binns and they all walked out. They then walked to the edge of the curb, put all their boxes down, and looked up the street for the carriage.

“Where is the carriage,” asked Bertie.

“It will be here any minute. They are just going around the block,” said Mr. Binns.

Bertie, Dawsey, and Mr. Binns looked at the broughams, surreys, hansom cabs, and other carriages as they went about their business, but their carriage was not to be seen.

“Do you think they got lost,” asked Bertie.

Just them, two Chinese teens came up behind the Binns. “你不能站在那裡. 移動它,” said one. “是的，沒錯. 我們正在和你說話,” said the other one.

Mr. Binns turned around. “What did you say?”

“我說你必須把你的白屁股移開,” said one. “你是不是太笨了看不懂中文,” said the other.

Mr. Binns stepped in front of Dawsey and Bertie. “What did you say. I do not understand Chinese. Speak English.”

“Just as I thought, idiot white people. I said move! This is our block.”

“This is not just your block, this is everyone’s block. Go on your way and leave us alone,” said Mr. Binns.

“You are wrong! This is our block and we want you to leave,” said the first teen. The second teen grabbed a big stick next to Dr. Zhao’s door.

“Mr. Binns what do thay want? What are they going to do?” said Bertie.

“Do not worry. They just want to scare us. We must stay strong.” Said Mr. Binns.

“But I am scared,” said Dawsey.

“What are you gonna do?” said the first teen. “Cry?” said the second teen.

“We want you out of here and we want you to leave NOW!” said the first teen.

“我要你們兩個暴徒馬上離開!” The two teens turned around and saw Dr. Zhao standing in the doorway with a bat.

“是的,” said the first teen. “立即地,” said the second teen. The two teams ran down the street.

“Thank you Friend Zhao,” said Mr. Binns.

“What did you say to them?” said Dawsey.

“I just told them that I would tell their mothers what they were doing.”Dr. Zhao winked.

“Thank you for your help. Those boys looked really mean.” said Bertie.

“Those boys can be really mean. They can also be really nice. Just depends what mood they are in. I am guessing that they just heard about the Exclusion Act.” said Dr. Zhao.

“What is the Exclusion Act? I’ve never heard of that,” said Bertie.

“It is a law that Congress will probably pass soon and once that is done, no one from China can emigrate to the United States. The family of those two boys are in China now. They will never be allowed to come to the United States. That is what makes those boys mean. They will never see all of their family ever again.” said Dr. Zhao.

“That is so sad,”said Bertie. “Why would Congress do that?”

“Most people here in the US do not like people from China,” said Mr. Binns.

“I am sorry to hear that. That makes me sad. People should just get along,” said Bertie.

“That is not going to happen. People enjoy being mean to each other,” said Dawsey.

“Do you really believe that,” asked Bertie.

“Yes, I do. I see people coming into Papa’s store and they are mean to each other for no good reason. I ask them why they are that way, but I never get a good answer.”

“You probably never will, but keep on asking. One of these days you may get an answer that will help you understand,” said Dr. Zhao. “Unfortunately, I cannot give you one either. I have to get back in the store. Further, you have to leave. Your carriage has arrived.” Dr. Zhao pointed up the street.

“Father! I was worried that you would never arrive.”

“You need not worry Bertie. This driver really knows his way around town,” said Father.

“I am glad that you got here too. Arthur, please come down here and help us load up these boxes,” said Mr. Binns.

“Sure,” said Arthur and in less than a minute the carriage was all loaded. Then everybody jumped in the carriage.

“Where are we going next?”asked Vicki.

“The next stop is my cousin’s house just a few blocks from here,” said Mr. Binns.

“Bertie, did you like the Pharmacopium,”said Father.

“Yes, I did. There was lots of neat stuff to see and there were Chinese people speaking Chinese,” said Bertie. “Mr. Binns got us some candy too.”

“I almost forgot to hand that out. Everybody can have a piece.” Mr. Binns passed around the bag.

“Please thank Dr. Zhao next time that you see him. This candy is great,” said Bertie.

“Did you see anything interesting on your trip around the block,” said Mr. Binns

“Not particularly. Just a bunch of people running around doing stuff,” set Arthur.

“Yes, we saw lots of people walking back-and-forth and we saw people in carriages going all over the place. People were dressed up very nice. They were very colorful. But they all looked like they were in a big hurry to get somewhere. This is a very busy town,” said Vicki.

“It is the middle of the week and most people have work to do. But we can amuse ourselves as we go by Franklin Square and the fountain with no distractions. Look, over there. There it is,” said Mr. Binns.

“it is beautiful,” said Kate. “Will we be stopping here?”

“No, not today. I need to get these boxes to my cousin’s house before it gets dark. Maybe we can have a picnic here when we return to my home.”

“I would like that,” said Kate.

“I would like that too,” said Vicki.

“Then it is settled. We will have a picnic,” said Mr. Binns. As they said this, the carriage turned left on to Cherry Street and a row of small townhouses.

“Hello William!” said Mr. Binns to a well dressed man standing in front of one of the houses.

“Hello Thomas and welcome to you all to my house,” said cousin William.