She laughed in her delicious gurgling way, and pressed her face against his sleeve. He slipped one hand beneath her chin, raising the flawless oval face to the full light of the moon.
"Thou art very beautiful," he said, half below his breath. "A thousand men assuredly have loved thee since we bade farewell."
Su Su O sighed. "But none have laid a finger on me in love, Tani—save one, and him I struck."
The man smiled a little, and then his face grew grave. He fretted with the sling which supported his left arm. "What manner of man was he, this love-besotted fool?"
"A German, Tani; a man of great stature, bearded, with a jewel set in the centre tooth of his upper jaw."
Tani released her chin. "A diamond, belike, Little Flower?"
She nodded assent. "And by force he kissed me—upon the mouth."
"Ah!" For a moment the sandal-maker stared across the water, his eyes narrowed into slits, his face inscrutable. Then, with a sudden jerk of the wrist, he sent something spinning through the air—something that glittered like a point of flame in the moonlight. It fell with a splash, scaring the lazy carp that lay just beneath the surface.
"He has paid his forfeit," said Tani grimly.
All uncomprehending, Su Su O nestled against him and slipped her slender hand into his. Together they turned towards the temple.