THE old grandmother was the first to arise on the auspicious morning. The sun had not yet made its appearance when she opened her shoji and looked out at the dawning.
She dressed herself hastily, and then went to arouse the servants. While the family still slept the house was put in perfect order, and soon breakfast was preparing. When she had set all the maids at their tasks the grandmother returned to the floor above, and entered the room now shared jointly by Taro and Billy. Opening the shutters she let in the light. Then as they did not stir, she deftly turned down their bedclothes and drew the pillows from beneath their heads. Taro sat up grumbling and yawning, while Billy turned over on his side, felt about for the pillow, and then slept uneasily without it. Taro, now awake, shook Billy.
“Oh, let me sleep,” complained Billy.
“All ride,” said Taro, slipping out of bed and beginning to put on his clothes quickly. “You kin sleep when we marsh off with my fadder. No more Port Authur. Soon no more Lussians!”
Billy was out of bed in a minute, suddenly recalled to the fact of what this day was to bring forth.
“I’ll beat you dressing,” said he.
Meanwhile, Madame Sano was helping the little girls with their toilets.
Iris was standing patiently while her hair was being dressed in an elaborate mode. Plum Blossom, her round, fat little face still flushed with sleep, was sitting on the floor drawing on a white stocking.
A maid was helping Marion. The latter’s hair was arranged in the same fanciful mode as her step-sister’s.
“Grandmother, please let me wear my new cherry-blossom kimono to-day,” coaxed Iris.