"Yes—at least I think so. I intended to cheer your Emperor and you, and to wish success to the Japanese united arms. I suspect I made a little mistake."
"No, no!" cried the young lieutenant Tomi. "It was beautiful! Splendid! It sounded so well, too. Didn't it?" he asked, turning to his brother.
"Yes; and so exactly to the point," added the captain, laughing again. "You are already an interpreter, Mr. Julius."
I felt rather "at sea" at this renewal of the merriment, but the officers quickly subdued their laughter, though it occasionally burst out in spasms while they alternately announced their business.
"We have another mission for you, Julius," said the younger. "A pleasant little trip to an English man-of-war perhaps."
I leaped to my feet in delight. "Really?" I said. "You mean that?"
"Oh yes, certainly. We understand English," he said, laughing.
I blushed, and felt annoyed with Tomi. But I dare not show this.
"When you and your brother have quite finished laughing"—I began.
But this attempt at dignity set them off again, and though really angry, I was compelled to join them. The whole business seemed so ridiculous.