“Of a truth,” said Wistaria, smiling up at him; “we must repay the gods.”
“We must, indeed. What shall we do? Build a thousand temples to—well, which one?”
“I consider!” quoth Wistaria, thinking very seriously. Then, suddenly, with a little, silvery laugh: “I have it. Let us deify my own august uncle. Is he not the god who befriends us?”
“Not consciously,” said Keiki, “for I doubt not my Lord of Catzu would fume and curse me roundly did he know I took advantage of his honorable disposition to sleep.”
Wistaria laughed softly.
“Now I am quite ready to swear,” she said, “that of late my honorable uncle is perfectly conscious when he sleeps.”
“Pray tell me,” cried Keiki, starting.
The girl nodded merrily.
“Will you tell me, then, how it is possible for one to fall asleep in a small, rocking boat? Could you or I do so, my Lord Keiki?”
“Oh, not you or I; but your honorable uncle is divinely lethargic.”