“Peanut!” said she, in English; “nize. For you!” She had remembered the words now.
“Oh, thank you, thank you, darling,” said Mrs. Kurukawa. Wishing to show her delight in the gift, she added:
“Come, we will all have some.”
She emptied the contents into her lap, then stared for a moment. Gradually her astonishment changed to laughter.
The package contained only shells. Juji had eaten the peanuts.
Plum Blossom and Iris felt completely disgraced. Iris, from the shelter of her father’s arms, whither she had gone, now flew towards the wicked Juji.
“Oh, the bad boy!” she cried.
Juji’s lip broke. One of his terrific roars ensued. He was borne from the room by the humiliated little girls.
“And now,” said Mr. Kurukawa, rubbing his hands and speaking in a loud voice: “Where are my sons? Taro!” he called.
Promptly the boy answered. He came literally tumbling into the hall, which, with the panels pushed aside, had now become a large room.