“There must be no more of these,” he said, “else how can I have the strength to go?”
“I have shed my last tear, Kiyo,” was her answer. “You have promised me!”
XII
THE “glorious news,” as they termed it, was given to the children the following morning. Even Juji was called to the family council, while the nurse-maid, Norah, held the baby in her arms.
Mr. Kurukawa talked of his going to the front as if it were a cause to make them happy and rejoice. His words had the desired effect upon the Japanese children. Taro, Plum Blossom, and Iris were thrilled with pride and excitement. Taro wanted to rush out to the village at once to proclaim to every one the great tidings. His father was going to serve Ten-shi-sama. He was going to recruit a new regiment from their town and vicinity. And they would all march away, with drums beating and the sun flag flying. His satisfaction and excitement spread to some extent to Billy, who began begging his step-father to let him and Taro go, too, as “drummer-boys,” just as the little boys in the Kipling stories did. But Marion stole from the room to weep. She loved her step-father as dearly as if he were her own father, and so in imagination she saw him wounded, or even killed. Her tender little heart was bruised at the thought. The pride and elation of her step-brothers and sisters horrified her. She could not understand it. She cried out her thoughts in her mother’s arms.
“Oh, mamma, mamma, hear them singing! Oh!—and papa may be killed, and they are glad—glad!”
She had expected her mother at least to understand, and to weep with her, but to her astonishment her mother put her gently from her arms.
“Listen, Marion! Listen, darling, to what they are singing! Don’t you know what it is? It is the national hymn, Marion. Oh, my little girl, be brave, too, with them. There is nothing to cry about—nothing—nothing!”
Taro bounded into the room, his cheeks aflame. “My fadder goin’ ride away. Mebbe he leave to-marl-low.”