"No, no, no," protested Otoyo, her voice rising with each no until it ended in a sweet high note like a bird's. "You not know the Japanese when you say that. I have received training. You have heard of jiu jitsu? Some day Otoyo will teach beautiful young American lady some things."
"Yes, but the jiu jitsu doesn't help you when you're tired, does it?"
"Ah, but I shall not be tired. You will see. Otoyo's feet great bigly."
She stuck out her funny stubby little feet for inspection and the girls all laughed. As a matter of fact, she was a sturdy little body and knew the secret of keeping her strength. She achieved marvels in her studies; was up with the dawn and the last person in the house to tumble into bed, but she was never tired, never cross and out of humor, and was always a model of cheerful politeness.
"Art ready?" asked Katherine Williams, appearing at the door in a natty brown corduroy walking suit.
"Can'st have the face to ask the question when we've been waiting for you ten minutes?" replied Judy.
It was a glorious September day when the walking club from Queen's started on its first expedition. The rules of the club were few, very elastic and susceptible to changes. It met when it could, walked until it was tired and had no fixed object except that of resting the eyes from the printed page, relaxing the mind from its arduous labors and accelerating the circulation. Anyone who wanted to invite a guest could, and those who wished to remain at home were not bound to go.
"Did anybody decide where we were going?" asked Molly.
"Yes, I did," announced Margaret. "Knob Ledge is our destination. It's the highest point in Wellington County and commands a most wonderful view of the surrounding country-side——"
"Dear me, you sound like a guide book, Margaret," put in Judy.