Mori translated.
“What do they say?” asked the lieutenant.
There was a pause.
“Nothing yet,” said Mori, stiffly.
While the officials still stared, the officer turned to the offending screens. With his own hands he began their demolition. Slowly, one by one, the Japanese joined him. Soon the space once enclosed by the screens was bare to the view of all on the American vessels. The officer moved towards his boat.
“I wish to speak some more words with you,” said Mori, following him.
“Oh, certainly. What is it?”
“Not here, if you please. Down by the boat.”
“Come.”
Followed by the angry looks of the whole group of Japanese sub-officials, in which there was distinct hostility towards himself, Mori went with the lieutenant to a spot towards which the boat was approaching.