hole life had been a protest against
conventionality, and this impassioned denunciation came from a new
world. The sound maddened Tatsu. He leaped to the veranda, now a mere
ledge thrust out over darkness, threw an arm about the slender
corner-post, and strained far out, gasping, into the night. Kano
filled his pipe with leisurely deliberation. The time was past for
fear.

In a few moments the boy returned, his face ugly, black, and sullen.
"I will be your son if you give me the maiden," he muttered.

"Come now, this is much better," said Kano, with a genial smile. "We
shall discuss the matter like rational men."

Tatsu ground his teeth so that the other heard him.

"Have a pipe," said Kano.

"I want no pipe."

"At least make yourself at ease upon the cushion while I speak."

"I am more at ease without it," said the boy, flinging the velvet
square angrily across the room. "Ugh! It is like sitting on a dead
cat. Kindly speak without further care for me. I am at ease!"

Kano glanced at the burning eyes, the quivering face and twitching
muscles with a smile. The intensity of ardor touched him. He drew a
short sigh, the look of complacency left his for an instant, and he
began, deliberately, "As you may have gathered from my letter, I am
without a son."

Tatsu nodded shortly.

"Worse than this, among all my disciples here in Yeddo there has
appeared none worthy to inherit the name and traditions of my race.
Now, dear youth, when I first saw these paintings of yours, the hope
stirred in me that you might be that one."

"Do you mean that I should paint things as paltry as your own?"

"No, not exactly, though even from my poor work you might gain some
valuable lessons of technique."

"I know not that word," said Tatsu. "When I must paint, I paint. What
has all this to do with the Dragon Maiden?"

"Softly, softly; we are coming to that now," said Kano. "If, after
trial, I should find you really worthy of adoption, nothing could be
more appropriate than for you to become the husband of my daughter."

Tatsu dug his nails into the matting of the floor.
"Suitable--appropriate--husband!" he groaned aloud. "Farmyard
cackle,--all of it. Oh, to be joined in the manner of such earthlings
to a Dragon Maid like this! Old man, cannot even you feel the horror
of it? No, your eyes blink like a pig that has eaten. You cannot see.
She should be made mine among storm and wind and mist on some high
mountain