“No, thanks.” The professor smiled at Ethel. “How went the lesson this morning? Was Takasaki interesting in his ‘parts of speech’?”
“I do wish, Ethel, you would give up teaching the Japs,” broke in Patterson, before she could answer the professor. “I’ve never understood why you let that little Japanese artist monopolize so much of your time when you went to the embassy last winter.”
“Oh, Mr. Soto!” Ethel smiled at a sudden recollection, then blushed hotly as she met the professor’s amused look; Patterson’s jealousy was patent to all. “I miss Mr. Soto and am so sorry he had to return to Japan. He was great fun. You should cultivate a sense of humor, Jim,” with a mischievous glance at Patterson’s glum countenance.
“I found little amusement in watching Soto making sketches of you,” he protested. “It was a great liberty. I am surprised, Ogden, that you permit Ethel to continue to give lessons to the Japanese.”
“Well, really!” Ethel turned and faced Patterson indignantly. “I cannot see that it is any concern of yours.”
“I did not mean it quite in the way it sounds,” Patterson hastened to explain. He had been in a temper all the morning, and his disappointment at not getting Ethel to accompany him motoring had not added to his amiability. “I do not see why any patriotic American desires to teach a Japanese English, and thereby advance the knowledge and education of our future foes.”
“You are decidedly looking into the future,” chuckled Ogden.
“Not half as much as the Japs themselves,” retorted Patterson, happy again in having found his hobby. “The high cast Japanese as well as the coolie is not too proud to spy. They are intensely patriotic; it is the keynote of their character. Tell me honestly, Ethel,” addressing her directly. “Does not Takasaki invariably turn your conversations into questions about our ships, shipyards, and the personnel of our army and navy?”
“No, not always,” declared Ethel in surprise. “In fact, I often allude to them and he changes the topic. Oh, no, I do not give him information.”
“Not intentionally, no,” agreed Patterson, lowering his naturally loud voice. “But the Japanese is ever seeking, always grasping little details, unconsidered trifles, and from that foundation builds and reasons in a manner our Occidental mind never grasps. The Japanese knows more of us today—our habits, our weaknesses, our shortcomings——”