The water was cooler now. Taro's head disappeared below the edge of the tub. He splashed a minute, then he said:—
"I guess a real truly Samurai would scream a little if he were boiled." His words made a big round sound coming out of the tub.
Pretty soon it was Take's turn. She climbed into the tub. She splashed, too, but she didn't scream. Then she stuck her head over the edge of the tub.
"I'm boiled, too," she called to Taro, "but I'm not going to cry."
"Then the water isn't hot," was all Taro said.
When they had finished their baths, they were dressed in clean kimonos. Then they had their breakfast and at seven o'clock they were all ready for school.
Their Mother gave them each a paper umbrella in case of rain. She hung a little brocaded bag, with a jar of rice inside it, on the left arm of each Twin. This was for their luncheon. Then she gave them each a brand-new copy-book and a brand-new soroban. A soroban is a counting-machine.
It is a frame with wires stretched across it and beads hung on the wires. The Twins felt very proud to have sorobans and copy-books.
"Now trot along," the Mother said.
The Twins knew the way. They marched down the street, feeling more grown up than they ever had felt in all their lives. Their Mother watched them from the garden-gate.