"Koto-san, let us some day go up to Tokyo alone. Lots of girls now travel alone, and we are so near the city. We would not let my father know, and as he is away with Takashima Sachi all day, he would never miss us. No one will recognize us in the city, or if they do they'll think we are there with some friends, but it is common for two girls to be together in the city, is it not, Koto?"
Koto said it was, but looked a trifle scared at this proposal. However, she was as eager as Numè to carry it out, for they had both grown very tired of the quietness of their life; especially Koto, who was used to the noisy city. She entered into the project at once.
"Let me go first to the city alone to-morrow," she said, "and I will tell your father that I have business to do there; then I will go and make arrangements at a jinrikisha stand to send a special vehicle to meet us each day—or every other day."
"And will we see Shiku?" Numè asked.
Koto's face beamed.
"If you say so, Numè-san—if you will permit."
"Why, of course I will," Numè said, excitedly. "Where will we see him?"
"I will tell him to meet us. He works for the American consul, and he is very good to Shiku."
Numè looked at her narrowly.
"Do you know, Koto-san, that the American consul is the Mr. Sinka I tell you of?"