“It would be many times impossible for me or mine to do enough for you, sir. I was such a stupid boy, and you both were so always patient.”
“Tut, tut, Hata, you always had a very retentive mind. Well, Miss Dulcie, I saw a little trinket, which Hata secured for me, and I have brought it to you. I want you to accept it with an old man’s affection.”
“Ha—grr-r-r-r-r, same here!” said Doctor Sims, dropping his parcel into Dulcie’s lap.
She opened the quaint worn metal cases. In each nestled a jewel of purest jade; a necklace from Doctor Trigg, and from Doctor Sims a bracelet. Dulcie had never seen anything quite so lovely.
“Oh, you dears, you shouldn’t have done it,” she sighed, brooding lovingly over the jewels.
“Mere trifles,” said Doctor Sims. “I think Hata, here, beat the shopkeepers down.”
Prince Hata smiled. “They received their price,” he assured them. “Quite most satisfactory.”
Dulcie looked at him suspiciously. She knew a little about jade. But the dark face was bland and impassive. After all, whatever Hata had done, he had done to give happiness to his two old friends. Dulcie rallied a diplomacy equal to his own. “They are perfect,” she said. “And I love you both for them. I shall keep them all my life, and remember how I came by them, and what they mean.”
“We have a most old saying in Japan, Miss Hammond,” said Prince Hata. “‘The jewel is never so lovely as the wearer.’ I mourn that I shall not see you again today except in my capacity as official. There is a garden party to stroll into this afternoon, and tonight enters a great dinner. Afterwards an entertainment for the officers and crew. You might enjoy to go. It is permissible. The Geisha girls will dance.
“Tomorrow, Miss Hammond, I do trust that you will graciously allow my mother to receive you. She is unfortunately unable to leave her home. If you would so benevolently come to her?”