"She'd be ashamed of us," said Taro.
"Let's see if we can't remember every single one of our manners after this," said Take.
Just as they were finishing their rice there came the sound of steps—Clumpity—clumpity-clump!
"Who's coming?" said Taro.
"I think it's the hairdresser," Take answered.
She ran out to see. An old woman was on the porch. She had just slipped off her clogs.
In Japan no one thinks of such a thing as wearing street shoes in the house. It would bring in dirt and soil the pretty white mats. That was why she took them off.
Take bowed to the old woman. "Oha-yo?" she said politely.
"Oha-yo?" said the old woman to Take.
The Twins' Mother heard them. She came to the door. She bowed to the old woman, and the old woman bowed to her.