Softly she glided out past her ladies-in-waiting and sank down before me with her white forehead upon the mat. “Ten thousand felicitous years to my Lord Woroto!” she murmured.
“The good wish of Azai Sama is acknowledged,” I replied. “The august lady is requested to seat herself at the left hand of her teacher.”
“Pardon, my lord, but it is not permissible for a woman to sit in the presence of one so vastly above her.”
“Let two boxes of this height be brought,” I ordered, holding my hand at the height of a chair.
O Setsu San glided out, and returned in a few moments with a pair of lacquered cases about the size of tea chests. I signed her to set them down near the side of the room that faced the garden.
“As teacher of the tojin learning and customs,” I explained, “I will begin by showing the Princess the tojin etiquette practised between a gentleman and a lady. The Princess will be pleased to act as directed.”
I rose and offered her my hand. “May I have the pleasure of assisting you to rise?”
Azai glanced up at me with a startled look. I smiled. “The august lady is to take my hand, and say, ‘You are very kind.’”
“You are very kind, my lord!” she whispered, and half averting her head, she entrusted one of her tiny hands to me.
I drew her up, stepped back, and swept her a bow in Occidental style. “Permit me to conduct you to a seat.”