“I’m living from hand to mouth, Natie. I’ve been here the last three years—waiting on trade, interpreting for my employers because I learned how to speak a little Japanese. Think of it, Natie—waiting on trade for a godless heathen—me!”
“Under the circumstances it ought to be a very good position,” observed the son.
The visit continued in this strain until noontime. Then they went out together to a small restaurant and had tiffin. Johnathan managed to get Nathan alone.
“Son,” he cried brokenly, “you must loan me some money. I’m at the end of my rope. Some days I think there’s nothing left but to jump in the Bay.”
“How much money do you need?”
“All you can spare me,” was Johnathan’s modest request.
“I’m low on funds, father. I’ve got just about enough to get me back to Vermont. I wanted to buy Miss Theddon a diamond but have had to wait until——”
“Could you let me have a thousand yen, say? That’s only five hundred and ten dollars!—in cash!”
“It’s out of the question, just now. I’ve only a hundred and eighty dollars with me and my passage across America will use up a hundred of that.”
Ultimately Nathan gave his father twenty-five dollars,—fifty-five ten-yen notes. Johnathan took them rather sourly. He placed more stock in the money Nathan promised to wire when he reached Vermont.