“And you wished also to see me?” she questioned.
“Yes.” He flushed boyishly, and then added with Spartan honesty, “Also I wanted some of your cherries.”
“They are very good,” said the princess.
“Oh, yes, there are none so good without.”
“Did the guards deign to let you pass through the gates?”
“No.” A pause, then: “I deigned to climb over the wall.”
“Some day,” said Sado-ko, wistfully, “her Majesty says a prince will fly over the walls and carry me away. Perhaps you are that prince.”
“Oh, no; I am not a prince, but if you wish, I will play that I am one.”
“How is that?” she asked, bewildered.
“This cherry tree will be your august castle. I will come over the wall, and you must run around the castle to escape me. I will pursue you, and then I will carry you off from this dark and lonesome prison over the walls to the beautiful world outside.”