“There’s nothing to be thankful for, only—they don’t understand.”
He took her hand in his as if to make friends, and she let him hold it for a moment, then she suddenly drew it away.
“Had not we better be going? What’s the time?”
“Twelve.”
“Will you come and have luncheon at the hotel?”
“No, thanks; why not come and lunch at my place? I’ll give you all sorts of funny Japanese things to eat. Luncheon won’t be till half-past one, but you can have a talk with Campanula. It will only take us ten minutes or so to get there from here.”
They came down to where the rikshas were waiting; he helped her in, tucked the linen apron round her, and gave the men their direction.
Campanula San had not yet returned, declared Pine-breeze, as she kow-towed before them on the matting.
“Well, she won’t be long,” said Leslie. “Shall we go into the house or the garden?”
“The house,” replied Jane. “I’m tired of the sunlight; let’s go in, and sit on the floor and talk.”