"You haven't either," said Taro.
"We both of us didn't beat then," said Take. "Come here and I'll tie yours for you."
Taro backed up to Take, and she tied his sash in a twinkling.
Then she held up her sash. "Now, you tie mine for me, Taro," she said.
"Wait until Mother can help you," said Taro. "Boys shouldn't do girls' work."
"Oh, please, Taro," said Take. "I tied yours for you. I don't see why you can't tie mine for me!"
"Well, you know what Father said," Taro answered. "He said you are a girl and must mind me. You get Mother to do it."
"He said you should be kind and noble, too," said Take. "It would be kind and noble of you to tie my sash, because I'm just suffering to have it tied." She looked at him sidewise. "Please do," she said.
Taro thought it over. Then he said, "Well, come behind the lantern, and just this once I'll do it. But don't you tell, and don't you ask me to again."
"Cross my heart, Taro," Take promised. "I won't tell. You are a good, kind boy."