“Mother,” he answered, in Japanese, “you do wrong in speaking thus. You misjudge me. It is not to assist these people I would search for her. No, though they had a thousand claims on her. But I must go to save her from herself. The cliffs on the hills are perilous, and the night would frighten the little one. It is for that reason I would seek her.”
He caught up his hat and made to leave the room, but again his mother stayed him.
“Oh, son, in such a garb you would frighten the little one.”
He paused in thought a moment, then turned in the opposite direction.
“It is true. My room—it is as ever?”
“As ever, son. Always awaiting thy return.”
He vanished through the foldingdoors. They heard him speeding rapidly up the stairs.
“Where has he gone?” asked Mrs. Lorrimer, sharply.
“To arrange his dress,” the Japanese woman answered, without raising her head.
“Oh, such folly!” she cried, angrily. “There is no time to be lost. He should start at once. What shall we do?”