“Kind, but not familiar.”
“Oh, I will try. Now, what must I do to call her?”
“Why, clap your hands.”
“So simple a signal for a princess?”
“Yes. Just so. I will illustrate.”
Her little signal sounded sharp and clear. Masago started and trembled at its sound. Then she turned toward the opening doors. She heard the low voice of the princess whispering close beside her.
“Speak to her. Say, ‘Maid, take up the light.’”
Masago walked with faltering steps toward the doors. Her voice shook a moment, then raised in nervousness, it sounded oddly harsh.
“Take up the light!” she said.
But at her voice the sleepy Natsu-no started, turned, and looked up at her face in wide-eyed surprise and growing fear; then her eyes went slowly to that other one, now with her back toward her near the shadow of the shoji, the bright outline of her huge obi bow alone in the light. Natsu-no, shaking and trembling, advanced a pace toward her, glancing fearfully meanwhile at that object standing there in her mistress’s habiliments, yet in so strange and unfamiliar aspect.