ber it oftener!"

"And you think him more better for me?" asked Yuki San, still
perplexed.

"You bet I do!" said Merrit with conviction. "Take my word for it and
don't forget."

"I no forget," she said.

A sliding of the screen and a call from the court-yard announced the
arrival of the jinrikisha men, who had come for the baggage.

Merrit thrust back his half-finished breakfast.

"By Jove! I'd most forgotten this is my last meal with you. Just to
think all that tiresome old government contract is finished and I'll
soon be on my way to the other side!"

"You want to see other side?" she asked. "Mama San not there no more."
Then seeing his face darken, she laid a quick hand of sympathy on his.
"I have the sorrowful for you," she said earnestly, then went on
hastily: "That other side! Yes, I know that most beautiful 'Merica.
Most big ship in the world come rolling into Hatoba. Merrit San so
long and big, stand way out front and see over much people. Then he
cry out, 'Herro!' herro!' with glad and much joyful. He see that
lovely girl like picture waiting there!"

Without pausing for a reply, she pushed open a door and called in
Japanese to her father and mother, who never made their appearance
till Merrit's breakfast was finished.

"Come, make ready to give our guest an honorable departure," she said.

In the small courtyard facing the street the girl found the men, with
their jinrikishas and baggage-wagon, waiting to convey Merrit to the
station. She carefully directed the tying on of the various trunks and
bags, and placed the family just where they should stand that the
greatest honor might be done the departing guest.

As Merrit came out of the little house and reached for his shoes,
which stood waiting at the side, Yuki San started toward him, eager to
serve him to the last. Merrit motioned her back.

"Don't come too near, Yuki San. If you happened to fall into one of
those shoes, you'd be lost for ever and ever, and that big Mr. Saito
would be inviting me to cut off my head."

Yuki San laughed and smoothed the cushions in the jinrikisha while she
gave minute directions to the jinrikisha men.

Merrit made his adieu with high good humor, and so many big words that
Yuki San was hard pressed to interpret. He invited the family and all
their relatives to come to see him in America. When he reached Yuki
San he held out his hand. Made shy by the unusual ceremony, she
timidly laid a cold and unresponsive li