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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Sister Snow, by Frances Little
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Little Sister Snow
+
+Author: Frances Little
+
+Release Date: August 16, 2004 [EBook #5960]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LITTLE SISTER SNOW ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland David Widger and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+
+
+LITTLE SISTER SNOW
+
+BY
+
+FRANCES LITTLE
+
+Author of "The Lady of the Decoration"
+
+
+WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY
+GENJIRO KATAOKA
+1909
+
+
+
+TO MY NIECE
+
+ALICE HEGAN RICE
+
+IN MEMORY OF MANY HAPPY MONTHS
+SPENT TOGETHER IN JAPAN
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+A fervent, whispered prayer . . . _Frontispiece_
+
+With outstretched hands and flying feet
+
+She would throw her into the ditch
+
+The two old people
+
+Yuki San was called before her father
+
+With paint and brush she fell to work
+
+At the slightest sound she listened
+
+Not willing to be surpassed in salutation
+
+"My heart bleed for lonely"
+
+She busied herself with serving the tea
+
+Very helpless and lonesome
+
+To make good her promise to the gods
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+A quaint old Japanese garden lay smiling under the sunshine of a
+morning in early spring. The sun, having flooded the outside world
+with dazzling light, seemed to sink to a tender radiance as it wooed
+leaf and bud into new life and loveliness. It loosened the tiny
+rivulet from the icy fingers of winter, and sped it merrily on its way
+to a miniature lake, where shining goldfish darted here and there in
+an ecstasy of motion. It stole into the shadows of a great pine-tree,
+and touched the white wings of the pigeons as they cooed the song of
+mating-time. It gleamed on the sandy path that led to the old stone
+lantern, played into the eyes of Kwannon, the Goddess of Mercy, and
+finally lost itself in the trees beyond.
+
+Under a gnarled plum-tree, that for uncounted years had braved the
+snow and answered joyously the first call of spring, a little maiden
+stood and held out eager hands to catch the falling blossoms. The
+flowering-time was nearly done, and the child stood watching the
+petals twirl quickly down, filling the hollows and fashioning curious
+designs on the mossy grass.
+
+The softest of breezes coming across the river, over the thick hedge,
+saucily blew a stray petal straight into the child's face. To Yuki
+Chan it was a challenge, and with outstretched hands and flying feet
+she gave chase to the whirling blossoms. Round and round the old tree,
+into the hedge, and up the sandy path she raced, her long sleeves
+spreading like tiny sails, her cheeks flushed to the same crimson as
+her flowery playmates. A sudden stillness in the air ended the romp.
+Yuki Chan returned to her playground beneath the tree, and taking her
+captured petals from the folds of her kimono, began to count her
+trophies.
+
+"Ichi, ni, san, ichi, ni, san," she rhythmically droned, three being
+the magical number that would bring good luck if the petals were
+properly arranged and the number repeated often enough.
+
+But the monotony of repetition brought rest, and soon Yuki Chan,
+forgetting to count, made a bed of the fallen petals and turned her
+face toward the little straw-roofed house from which noises of busy
+preparation came.
+
+It was a birthday. Not Yuki Chan's, for that came with the snow-time.
+This was the third day of the third month, which in the long ago was
+set apart as the big birthday of all little girls born in the lovely
+island, and was celebrated by the Festival of Dolls.
+
+Yuki Chan lay with her slim body stretched in the warmth of the sun.
+In every graceful line was the imprint of high breeding; her white
+face, so unusual with her race, was stamped with the romance and
+tragedy of centuries; while her eyes, limpid and luminous, looked out
+at the world with eager, questioning interest.
+
+Through the wide-open _shoji_ of the house she caught glimpses of
+her father and mother hurrying and holding consultations. She marked
+frequent visits to the old warehouse that held the household
+treasures, and the bringing out of bundles wrapped in yellow cloth.
+The air brought her whiffs of cooking food, and the flower- and
+fish-men deposited a fair part of their stock on the porch. But Yuki
+Chan was banished from these joys of preparation because of naughtiness,
+and as she lay in the warm sunshine she thought of her recent
+wickedness. She smiled as she remembered how she had hid her father's
+pipe that he might work the faster, and broken the straps of her
+mother's wooden shoes, so that she could not go outdoors. She laughed
+softly when she thought of the stray cat which she had brought into the
+house and coaxed to drink milk while she, with skilful fingers and a
+pair of scissors, transformed her smooth fur into a wonderful landscape
+garden. Short work had made kitty's head slick and shiny, like a lake,
+with a stray bristle or two, which stood for trees. In the middle of her
+back stood Fuji, the great mountain, with numberless little Fujis to
+keep company. Many winding paths ran down kitty's legs to queer,
+shapeless shrines, and it was only when Yuki Chan had insisted on making
+a curious old pine-tree with twisted limbs of kitty's short and stubby
+tail that trouble ensued, and she had been requested by her mother to
+take her honorable little body to the garden.
+
+Yuki Chan remembered her mother's beautiful smile of love as she
+gently chided her, and recalled the note of trouble in the kind voice.
+Was the mother sorry because she had stuck out a very pink tongue at a
+cross-eyed old image that sat on the floor on the very spot that she
+wanted to step upon? Or was it--and Yuki Chan grew grave--that the
+last _go rin_ had been spent for the new dress she was to wear that
+day?
+
+All her short life Yuki Chan had lived in a house of love, but no veil
+of affection, no sacrifice, could shield her from the knowledge of
+poverty. She had never seen her mother wear but one festival dress,
+yet her own little kimono was ever bright and dainty, and even the new
+brocade of the dolls' dresses stood alone with the weave of gold and
+tinsel.
+
+A solemn thought, like a pebble dropped into water, caused circle
+after circle to trouble her childish mind. She did not quite
+understand, but she knew there was something she must learn. She had
+been naughty and weighed her mother's spirits. She had caused a grave
+look in her father's kind eyes, and had sent the household pets
+scattering with her mischief. Now she must be good--very good--else
+the fox spirit would come upon her, and she would go through life an
+unhappy soul. She would give more obedience to the honorable mother,
+whose every word had been a caress. It was as if for the first time
+the great book of life opened before her and, though unconscious of
+its meaning, the first word she saw spelled Duty.
+
+The noises from the house grew fainter. The child, with blinking eyes,
+lay gazing straight above her. Overhead the branches overflowed into a
+canopy of crimson, which shut out the great real world and opened into
+a fairy world wherein only the untried feet of youth may tread and the
+fragile flowers of child-dreams bloom. The gates thereto are slight
+but strong, and only knowledge erects an impassable barrier.
+
+The wind sang its lullaby through the blossoms of the tree, and sleep
+would soon have overtaken Yuki Chan had not a peculiar sound aroused
+her and caused her eyes to fly wide open. Once before she had heard
+it, and it had meant death to the big robin who lived in the branches
+above. The cry came from the mother bird this time and brought Yuki
+Chan to her feet.
+
+Through the shower of blossoms, brought down by the mad fluttering of
+wings, she saw a tiny half-feathered thing struggling in the sharp
+claws of her lately acquired pet. With certainty of success, the cat
+let its victim weakly flutter an inch or two away, then reaching out a
+cruel paw drew it back. Twice repeated, the green eyes narrowed to
+slits, and Yuki Chan, horrified, saw big red drops slowly dripping
+from either side of the whiskered mouth. Terror held her for a moment
+as she heard the crunching of small bones, then white passion
+enveloped her as she stole noiselessly from behind and closed her two
+small hands around the furry throat.
+
+_"Baka!"_ she cried from between her clenched teeth. _"Baka_--to eat
+the baby birds! This day will I ask Oni to make you into a stone,
+which every foot will kick and hurt, and you can neither move nor cry.
+You cruel, cruel beast!" In vain the cat struggled. Yuki Chan held it
+firmly at arm's-length while she decided what was to be its fate.
+
+Looking sternly at the offender, her lips rounded into a long-drawn
+"s-o," the light of anticipated revenge danced in her eyes. At last
+she knew what to do, O most honorable but very ugly cat! She would
+throw her into the ditch, where great crawling frogs with popping eyes
+would stick out long tongues; where flying things would sting, and
+creeping things would bite; where the great tide would come later and
+take her out to the big, big ocean, where there was neither milk to
+drink nor birds to eat.
+
+At the thought of her furry playmate floating alone and hungry in the
+vast place which, to Yuki Chan, had neither beginning nor end,
+something of pity touched her heart, and she slightly loosened her
+grasp.
+
+The cat gained a good breath and used it. In the fight for freedom a
+sharp claw was drawn down the child's arm, leaving a line of red in
+its course. Compassion took flight, and Yuki Chan, clutching anew,
+went swiftly down the path that led to the street, with a watchful eye
+on the lodge of the keeper of the gate.
+
+The keeper was very old, and very cross, and lately had acquired a
+curious idea that little girls must ask his honorable permission to go
+in and out the gate. One day he actually threatened punishment, and
+Yuki Chan, in her scorn, invited him to cut off his head with a sword,
+that he might save his face. Now the way was clear.
+
+She turned her head and bumped her small body against the weight of
+the heavy gates until they swung slightly apart and permitted her to
+slip through.
+
+So intent was her purpose to reach the ditch across the street that
+she did not see an approaching jinrikisha, and before she knew it she
+had been tumbled over and sent rolling to the side of the road. Still
+clutching the kitten, she sat up and rubbed the dust from her eyes.
+
+Standing over her was the jinrikisha man, and beside him was his
+passenger, a young American boy, whose light hair and blue eyes held
+her spell-bound. He was brushing the dust from her kimono, and his
+foreign tongue made strange sounds.
+
+"Say, kid," the boy was saying, as he transferred the dust from his
+hands to his handkerchief, "glad you're not hurt or got any bones
+cracked. Where's your mama, or your papa, or your nurse, to give you a
+spanking and keep you off the street?"
+
+As he talked Yuki Chan grew fascinated watching his mouth, and forgot,
+for a moment, her direful intention. The cat, again taking advantage
+of her relaxed hold, began to tug for freedom, and a lively struggle
+ensued.
+
+The boy, looking on, began to laugh, a laugh that began in his eyes,
+ran over his face and down into his throat, whence it came again in a
+shout of boyish merriment.
+
+Yuki Chan, looking from him to the smiling jinrikisha man, grew
+crimson with anger. With a swift movement she ran toward the ditch.
+
+Divining her purpose by the look in her eyes, Dick Merrit went
+gallantly to the rescue of the kitten. He was tall for his sixteen
+years, and his long strides more than matched the pattering steps of
+the slip of a girl who raced before him.
+
+"No, you don't, kiddie," he cried; "your manicured cat is not going
+into the ditch, if we have to scrap for it."
+
+Merrit caught Yuki Chan in one arm, and again and again loosened her
+fingers from the struggling kitten.
+
+"Iya, Iya!" the child screamed; but Merrit, as determined as she, held
+her firmly, and ended by lightly slapping first one little hand and
+then the other.
+
+The child, thus coming into contact for the first time with physical
+force, relaxed her grasp and gazed in amazement at the boy's
+determined face.
+
+"I guess your 'Iya' means no, little lady, and I say 'Iya' too," said
+Merrit, taking the cat into his arms and smoothing its uneven back.
+"You are not going to put it into the ditch. Why don't you give it to
+me? I am getting up a collection of cats and things at the school, and
+I'd like to take this queer specimen along. Ask her if I can have it."
+
+The jinrikisha man, who stood a smiling spectator, saw Dick Merrit's
+hand move toward his pocket, and was instantly alert and eager to
+settle the matter.
+
+"Him ve'y bad girl," he said; "him make dead for catty. You give me
+ten sen, I take girl homely. You have much of catty."
+
+But Dick declined all interference, and putting the cat inside his
+coat he stooped down and took one of Yuki Chan's unresisting hands.
+Her sleeve fell back, and he saw the long red scratch.
+
+"Hello! The cat had an inning too, didn't she? I'd like to chuck her
+for hurting you, but I can't let you give her a bath in that dirty
+hole. Never mind, I'll take her home, and some day I'll bring you
+something. I bet you don't understand a word I'm saying, but I'll be
+hanged if I know how to make you."
+
+Feeling rather helpless, Dick talked on, patting first Yuki Chan and
+then the cat.
+
+The child stood speechless and looked deep into his eyes, not having
+entirely recovered from the shock of the first blow she had ever
+received.
+
+"You'll be good, won't you?" he went on coaxingly, "not drown any more
+cats and things?"
+
+Yuki Chan, with the intuition that only a child can have, suddenly
+bridged the gulf of strange language and understood. With the quick
+movement of a nestling bird, she bent forward and laid her cheek
+against the boy's shoulder. It was not only complete surrender, but
+allegiance to the conqueror.
+
+Dick rose, red and confused. Then he climbed into the jinrikisha,
+trying to ignore the smiles of the man.
+
+Yuki Chan, with her hands joined just below her sash, bent her body
+like a half-shut jack-knife.
+
+"Arigato--arigato," she said politely, as she bowed again and again.
+
+"Him say t'ank you," interpreted the jinrikisha man.
+
+"Good-by," called Dick. "Don't forget--be good!"
+
+Yuki Chan watched the back of the jinrikisha and the swinging brown
+legs of the jinrikisha man that showed beneath. She had forgotten the
+cat, but she still remembered the kind look in the blue eyes of the
+boy.
+
+"Yuki, Yuki!" came the voice of the mother in her native tongue.
+"Come, the feast is prepared, and the sandals are worn from my feet
+running to seek you. Hurry! before the red beans grow cold."
+
+The child sent a long-drawn "Hei" in answer to her mother, then to
+herself she said over and over:
+
+"Be goodu--be goodu."
+
+She had heard the words a few times before, but they were associated
+with her visits to the mission-school and a certain oblong box out of
+which came sticks of red and white with a very sweet taste. Now, as
+she said them, a new meaning seemed to play about them.
+
+She slipped through the gate and walked with unhurried feet toward the
+small house, so gay in its festal plumage. As she passed the old
+plum-tree she looked up and saw the mother bird cuddling her babies
+beneath her breast.
+
+Some tender thought lighted the child's face into a strange beauty, as
+a stray sunbeam finds a hidden flower and glorifies it. Turning her
+face upward to the nest, she patted her own cheek and said: "Be goodu,
+Yuki, be goodu."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+In the springtime a Japanese house is a fairy-like thing, with only
+top and bottom of straw and a few upholding posts to give it a look of
+substance.
+
+Yuki Chan's house was typical. The paper screens were carefully put
+away during the day, that the breezes might play unobstructed through
+the house. At night the heavy wooden doors were fitted into grooves
+and served not only to keep out the night air, but also the evil
+spirits that come abroad when the great sun ceases watching.
+
+Binding the whole was a narrow porch, showing a floor polished like a
+mirror from the slipping and sliding of generations of feet. Yuki Chan
+first learned to know her face in its reflections and, alas! by the
+same method had learned the saucy fascination of sticking out her
+small pink tongue.
+
+On the side of the porch toward the plum-tree the child found her
+father and mother waiting. The two old people sat on gay cushions with
+hands folded and feet crossed. Their festal attire bore the marks of a
+once careless luxury, but now shabbiness tried to hide itself under
+the bravery of tinsel, where once had been pure gold.
+
+Each year the struggle of obsolete methods of business and the
+intricacies of progress plowed the furrows a little deeper in the
+man's face, and when his eyes, that in youth had blazed with ambition,
+grew wistful and troubled, he dropped them that his wife might not
+see.
+
+But what silence could hide from this frail woman any mood of the man
+she had served with mind and body and soul these many years? When she
+came to him as a shy bride on trial, she knew no such word as love.
+Duty was her entire vocabulary, and she asked nothing and gave all.
+
+Many little souls had come to her, with hands all crimped and pink,
+like new-blown cherry-leaves, only to close their eyes and pass out to
+the good god Jizo, who is always waiting to help little children
+across the river of death.
+
+In years gone by, night after night sleep had flown before the terror
+that another woman would be brought into the house that the family
+name might not die out. Silently she would slip out to the little
+shrine and pour out passionate words of prayer that just one little
+soul might be permitted to live.
+
+No matter how long the night, nor how bitter the struggle, morning
+always found her bright and cheerful, bending every effort to invent
+new diversions for her husband. She labored to anticipate every wish,
+and even though she did without, she provided him the best of comfort.
+Working far into the night, secretly disposing of her small personal
+treasures, acquiescing in his most trivial statements, she planned
+that no slightest gap in the domestic arrangement should suggest
+itself to him.
+
+The woman worked and prayed and waited. Then she triumphed. In the
+wake of a great snow-storm came the longed-for child, and they called
+her Yuki, after the snow that had brought them their wish. Hand in
+hand with Yuki Chan came love, and bound the hearts of the man and
+woman with ties of a desire fulfilled. From that time to this love had
+prevailed, and as Yuki Chan climbed on the porch, besmirching its
+shining surface with her muddy little feet, that had been guiltless of
+sandals all day, the faces of the two old people lighted up with
+sudden joy.
+
+Yuki Chan looked ruefully at the muddy prints she had made and
+realized that she had been a most impolite little girl. Remembering
+her recent resolve, she sought the eyes in which she had never seen
+any light for her save that of love. She drew close, and reaching down
+took her mother's hand, hard and cracked by labor, and laying her
+cheek against it said, with a voice sure of forgiveness and sweet
+desire for atonement:
+
+"Go men nasai."
+
+The mother, with a courtly but playful air, granted her pardon with a
+low salutation. Then with a rush of affection that no convention could
+stem, she folded the child to her heart and lived another moment of
+supreme joy.
+
+The father sat by, making no comment, his eyes bright and twinkling.
+Then he suggested that their Majesties, the dolls, had been waiting
+long on the shelf. Was it not time they were receiving a visit?
+
+The years of toil were telling on both father and mother, but they
+daily refreshed themselves at the overbrimming fountain of Yuki Chan's
+youth, and now, as they each took one of her hands to go in to see the
+dolls, they were so gay that the child suggested that instead of
+walking they should do the new one-two-three-hop she had learned at
+the kindergarten.
+
+It was unheard-of conduct, but it was for Yuki Chan, and father and
+mother stumped along, cheered on by the small girl who was trying to
+keep time, but was breathless through sheer excess of happiness.
+
+There was nothing in the room to impede their progress. No chairs with
+treacherous legs to trip over, no beds, nor tables with sharp corners
+--nothing whatever but the matting, soft and thick, where Yuki Chan had
+practised all the gymnastics of childhood unbruised and unharmed.
+
+Half skipping, half hopping, and wholly undone with laughter and
+exertion, the three at last reached the place where, for six years,
+offerings had been made for the gift of the child who stood to these
+two for love.
+
+Arranged in the best room in the house, on five long red-covered
+shelves, were dolls. Big dolls and little dolls, thin ones and fat
+ones, each one to represent some royal man or woman of the long ago,
+and dressed in a fashion of a time almost forgotten. There was Jimmu
+Tenno, the first real emperor. His hair was done in a curious fashion
+and his dress was of a wonderful brocade, while his hands clasped two
+fierce-looking swords. There was Jingo, too, who had won fame and
+lasting honor by her wonderful fighting, and was so great she had to
+sit by the emperors and look down on the other empresses. Such a lot
+of them! Some worthy to be remembered every day in the year, others
+the more quickly forgotten the better.
+
+Yuki Chan knew them all by heart, and she lingered before those she
+liked and quickly passed those she did not care for. She could not be
+rude to an emperor, even though he had been dead hundreds of years.
+She was really not very afraid of the greatness of the old doll men
+and women who sat on the shelf, still it was well to be careful about
+handling them. She might be turned into a lizard or a snake, just as
+the old lodge-keeper had said.
+
+But her delight was in the miniature toilet articles of solid silver,
+costly gold lacquer, and porcelain, so tiny, so beautifully carved
+they must have meant the eyesight of some workman, only too glad to
+shut out the sunlight forever if he might produce just one perfect
+thing.
+
+The things, however, that made Yuki Chan clap her hands and the
+nesting birds perk up their heads at the sound of her clear, sweet
+laugh were the funny little lacquer carts in which the royalty was
+supposed to ride, drawn by impossible fat bullocks, so bow-legged that
+their curves formed a big round O. Yuki Chan made her red lips into
+the same shape, and called her mother to look.
+
+She pretended to feed the dolls with real food and wine, and actually
+played with the five court musicians, because they were partly
+servants and it did not matter.
+
+Her tongue ran in ceaseless chatter. Her father and mother hovered
+around her, repeating the history of all those wonderful people. Yuki
+Chan listened very little, so concerned was she with her own comments,
+until she happened to see an anxious look creep into her mother's
+eyes. It was something every little girl must know, and if Yuki Chan's
+honorable ears refused to open, how would she learn? Then Yuki Chan
+nestled close, and gave little pats of love and tried to listen. THE
+shadows of the bamboo grew long and slim as the sun kissed them good
+night. The sails skimmed homeward on a silver sea as the west covered
+its rosy pink in a veil of deepest blue. The young birds in the old
+plum-tree did not stir at the loving touch of the mother who, with a
+soft bill, searched and sought for the lost one. The plum-blossoms
+lingered yet for a night as the air had grown chill.
+
+Within the house Yuki Chan, still dressed, lay on the floor, weary
+with the wonders of the day. Her mother took from a small inclosure
+beneath a shelf many soft comforts with which she arranged the child's
+bed. Yuki Chan, talking all the time in a low monotone, tried to
+unravel a tangle in her mind of birds and cats and dolls. It was all
+getting unmanageable and very hazy, when her mother gathered her into
+her arms, and quickly casting aside her two garments laid her gently
+in a bath of caressing warmth. A moment more and the little maiden lay
+like a rose-leaf in her bed.
+
+The night-lamp made shadowy ghosts of all it touched, and one gleam of
+light, escaping the paper shade, hung like an aureole above the head
+of Yuki Chan's mother as she knelt with clasped hands before the
+Buddha on the shelf.
+
+Her moving lips had only one refrain: "The child, the child, the
+child."
+
+Yuki Chan watched the play of the light in the half-dark room. What
+funny things those shadows made, and, strangely enough, one more
+wonderful than all the rest grew into the shape of the boy, and his
+lips were saying, "Be good."
+
+Then Yuki Chan lost herself in a mist of drowsiness, and her mother
+sat by, and kept time with her hand as she chanted rather than sang:
+
+      "Sleep, little one, sleep.
+     The sparrows are nodding.
+     Beneath the deep willow-trees
+     The night-lamp is burning.
+     Thy mother is watching,
+       Sleep, little one, sleep."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+Twelve times had the plum-tree scattered its petals to the wind, and
+Yuki San [Footnote: The honorific _Chan_, used only in childhood, is
+changed to _San_ in later years.] had passed from childhood into
+girlhood, and had already touched the border of that grave land
+of grown-up, where all the worries lie. For though she was apparently
+only a larger edition of the spoiled, impulsive happy child of old,
+yet often her eyes were shadowed with the struggle of shielding her
+aging father and mother from the poverty that was coming closer day by
+day.
+
+During the three years she had been gaining her education at the
+English mission-school, they had toiled unceasingly that she might
+have the best the country could afford, but now that she had returned
+after her long struggle with a strange language and a strange people,
+it was but fitting that she should take up her duties as the daughter
+of an impoverished family of high rank. The father, grown old and
+feeble, gave up the battle for existence, and being a devout Buddhist,
+turned his thoughts upon Nirvana, which he strove diligently to enter
+by perpetual meditation and prayer. The mother, used to guidance and
+unable to think or plan for herself, turned helplessly to Yuki San.
+
+The duties were heavy for girlish shoulders, and often as the dawn
+crept over the mountains it found the girl wide-eyed and still, trying
+to solve the problem of modest demand and meager supply.
+
+She had learned many things at the mission-school. She could read and
+write English imperfectly, she could recite the multiplication table
+faster than any one else, she could perform the most intricate figures
+in physical culture, and if she had infinite time she could play three
+hymns on the organ. These varied accomplishments, however, seemed of
+little assistance in showing her how to stretch her father's small
+pension beyond the barest necessities of the household. Tales had been
+told her of a great land, far beyond her sea-bound home, where women
+of the highest birth went out to work in the busy world. How she had
+marveled at their boldness and wondered at the customs that would
+permit it! Now she half envied them their freedom, and sighed over the
+iron-bound etiquette that forbade a departure from her father's roof
+save for the inevitable end of all Japanese women--a prearranged
+marriage.
+
+It was for this she had been so carefully trained in all phases of
+housekeeping, and in all the intricacies of social life. Her education
+from birth had been with a view of making smooth the path of her
+future husband that his home might be peaceful and he untroubled.
+
+Each day as the burden grew heavier she fought her battle with the
+bravery and courage of youth. With jests and chatter she served her
+parents' simple meals, constantly urging them to further indulgence of
+what she pretended was a great feast, but which in reality she had
+secretly sacrificed some household treasure to obtain. She deftly
+turned the rice-bucket as she served, that they might not see the
+scant supply. With great ceremony she poured the hot water into the
+bowls, insisting that no other _sake_ was made such as this. Her
+determination to keep them happy and ignorant of the true conditions
+taxed her every resource, but it was her duty, and duty to Yuki San
+was the only religion of which she was sure.
+
+But one day a great event happened in the little home. Yuki San was
+called before her father and told, in ceremonious language, that a
+marriage had been arranged for her with Saito San, a wealthy officer
+in the Emperor's household. She laid her head upon the mats and gave
+thanks to the gods. Now her father and mother would live in luxury for
+the rest of their lives!
+
+Saito San was to her only a far-away, shadowy being, whom she was to
+obey for the rest of her life and whose house she was to keep in
+order. He was a means to an end, and entered into her thoughts merely
+as one to whom she was deeply grateful. Youth and all its joys were
+strong within her, and the pressure of poverty gone, her whole nature
+rebounded with delight.
+
+Many times had marriage been proposed for her, for the story of her
+beauty and obedience had spread, but her father guarded his treasure
+zealously, and it was not until an offer came, suiting his former rank
+and condition, that he gave his consent.
+
+Now, when he saw the happy light in the eyes of his child, and saw the
+color come into her cheeks, he laid his hands upon her head and
+blessed her. When Yuki San was by herself she clapped her hands
+joyfully. "I make happy like 'Merican," she whispered. "Hooray,
+hooray! now my troublesome make absence," and she hurried away to put
+a thank-offering before the household god.
+
+Having arranged all preliminaries and instructed the mother to sell
+every household treasure that his child's clothes might do honor to
+the rich man's house, the father went back once more to his pipe and
+his dreams.
+
+Yuki San and her mother were up with the sun, sewing and embroidering,
+and going about their daily task with zest and song. The past trials
+were forgotten and the future not considered.
+
+One morning, not many weeks after the marriage had been arranged, Yuki
+San heard the call of the _Yubin_ San, and running out to meet him,
+received a strange-looking letter. The envelope was white and square,
+and straight across the middle, in very plain English, was her name
+and address. Puzzled, she turned it over and over, then broke the
+seal.
+
+The picture of the big hotel at the top of the sheet was so
+distracting that for a time she could get no further, but a word here
+and there and the signature at the end finally made her cry out with
+delight and surprise.
+
+"Oh! it's from that funny lil' boy what gave spank to my hands long
+time ago. He want to come to my house for stay. Listen."
+
+There was no one to listen but her own happy self, and lying flat upon
+the floor she propped her glowing face between her palms, while she
+read aloud from the letter spread before her:
+
+YOKOHAMA.
+
+Miss YUKI INOUYE--
+
+_Dear Miss Inouye_: I wonder if you remember an American boy with whom
+you had an encounter in your very early days, because he dared to
+thwart your plans concerning a cat? I remember it very well, and the
+jolly picnics and excursions that you and my mother and I took
+together afterward.
+
+I hope you have not forgotten me, for I am going to claim the
+privilege of the conqueror in that old battle and ask a favor of you.
+My Government has sent me out to your country on some important
+business, and finding there was no hotel close to my work, I wrote to
+the school where my mother and I visited twelve years ago, and asked
+them to recommend a family that would be good enough to take me in for
+two months. Strangely enough your father's name was suggested, and
+when I read that the only daughter both spoke and wrote English, and
+that her name was Yuki San, my mind flew back to my "Little Sister
+Snow" of the days gone by.
+
+Could your father manage to accommodate me for a couple of months, if
+I promise to be very good and take up as little room as possible? If
+you think he can, please wire me here at Yokohama, and I'll come
+straight down.
+
+Hoping to see you very soon, I am
+
+Your old friend,
+
+RICHARD MELTON MERRIT.
+
+Yuki San turned the letter this way and that, and vainly tried to
+decipher the strange words. It was undoubtedly English, but not the
+English she was used to. She ran for her small dictionary and
+diligently searched out the meaning of each phrase.
+
+Yes, she remembered the boy--he had light hair, and blue eyes that
+laughed, and he was a big, big boy and carried her on his shoulder.
+
+She sat with the folded letter clasped carefully in her hands and gave
+herself up to joyous anticipation. A foreign guest was coming to stay
+two whole months in her house; after that she was to be married and
+wear her beautiful kimono, and give rich gifts to her father and
+mother.
+
+Surely Buddha was caring for her! There had been grave moments of
+doubt about it since she left the mission-school, for he had never
+seemed to listen, though she prayed him night and day. But he had been
+only waiting to send all her happiness at once--he was a good god,
+kind and thoughtful. To-morrow, before the sun touched the big
+pine-tree on the mountain-top, she would go to the temple and tell
+him so.
+
+Yuki San's plans found favor with her parents, chiefly because of
+their great desire to give her pleasure, and incidentally because the
+board of the foreigner would swell the fund that was needed for her
+marriage.
+
+The plighted maid to them was already the wife, and the danger of a
+youthful heart defying tradition and clearing the bars of
+conventionality to reach its own desire was something unknown to these
+simple people. The child wished the foreigner to come--they could give
+her few pleasures--she should have her desire.
+
+The sending of the telegram was the first exciting thing to be
+attended to. Five times Yuki San rewrote the short message, finding
+her fingers less deft than her tongue in framing an English sentence.
+Gravely and with effort she wrote:
+
+"I give you all my house. Your lovely friend, Yuki."
+
+But she shook her head over this and tried again:
+
+"You have the welcome of my heart. Yuki."
+
+This, too, fell short of her ideal, so she decided to send simply two
+words of which she was quite sure:
+
+"Please come."
+
+The days that followed were crowded with busy preparation. The
+difficulty of providing the ease and comfort that the presence of so
+honorable a guest demanded taxed to the utmost Yuki San's resourceful
+nature. Gaily she set her wits and fingers to work--placing a heavy
+brass _hibachi_ over a black scorch in the matting, fitting new
+rice-paper into the small wooden squares of the _shoji_, and hanging
+_kakemono_ over the ugly holes made by the missing plaster in the
+wall.
+
+From one part of the house to another she flitted, laughing and
+working, while the old garden echoed her happiness and overflowed with
+blossom and song.
+
+On the day of Merrit's expected arrival, when the last flower had been
+put in the vases, and the last speck of dust flecked from the matting,
+Yuki San's keen eyes detected a torn place in the paper door which
+separated the guest-chamber from the narrow hall.
+
+A puzzled little frown drew her black brows together, but it soon fled
+before her smile.
+
+"Ah!" she cried, "idea come quickly! I write picture of bamboo on
+teared place."
+
+With paint and brush she fell to work, and beneath her skilful fingers
+the ugly tear disappeared in a forest of slender _take_ which
+stretched away to the foot of a snow-capped mountain.
+
+With a last touch she sank back on her heels and viewed her work with
+deep satisfaction. "All finished," she said, opening wide her arms;
+"no more to do now but wait for that time 'Merican sensei call
+jollyful!"
+
+A laugh behind her made her turn her head quickly, and there in the
+doorway stood a tall foreigner, with outstretched hand of welcome.
+
+Hand-shaking was an unknown art with Yuki San, so after one startled
+upward glance she touched her head to the floor in gracious courtesy.
+
+All her gay spirits and freedom of speech vanished, and she was
+instantly enveloped in a mist of shyness and reserve that Merrit's
+direct look did not serve to lessen.
+
+With lowered eyes, she ushered him into the larger living-room, and
+bade him be seated and accept all the hospitality her father's poor
+house could give.
+
+After a long and tiresome journey Merrit found something inexpressibly
+charming in the quiet, picturesque place, and in the silent young girl
+who sat so demurely in the shadow. He tactfully ignored her timidity
+by talking cheerful nonsense about impersonal things, treating her as
+a bashful child who wanted to be friends but hardly dared.
+
+As he talked Yuki San gained courage, and ventured many curious
+glances at the broad-shouldered young fellow, whose figure seemed
+completely to fill the room. At first she saw only a strange
+foreigner, but gradually, as she watched his face and listened to his
+unfamiliar speech, she discovered a long-lost playmate.
+
+Through all the years that she had struggled for an education at the
+mission-school, English had been invariably associated with a tall,
+awkward, foreign boy, whose mouth made funny curves and whose eyes
+laughed when he made strange sounds. How big and splendid and handsome
+he had grown! How different his clothes from any she had ever seen
+before! How white his long hands, whose strong, firm touch she
+remembered so well! She looked and looked again, drinking in the tones
+of his deep voice, till the throbbing of her heart sent a flood of
+crimson to her cheeks.
+
+But gradually her shyness wore away, and when Merrit asked her how in
+the world he was to conduct his business with so few Japanese words at
+his command, she ventured to answer: "I know; I give you the teach of
+Nippon, you give me the wise of dat funny 'Merican tongue."
+
+"That's a go!" said Dick, as he held out his hand to close the
+bargain.
+
+But the girl drew back, troubled.
+
+"No, no, you no _go_! You stay. I give you all my intellect of Nippon
+speech. Please!" and she looked up pleadingly.
+
+Merrit laughed outright.
+
+"That's all right, Yuki San; I am going to stay, and we will begin
+school in the morning."
+
+By this time the mother and father had learned of the guest's arrival
+and hurried in to bid him welcome. The unpacking of his steamer-trunk
+and the disposal of his possessions in his small apartment was a
+matter of interest to the whole family. Each article was politely
+examined and exclaimed over, and when Merrit drew out a package of
+photographs and showed them his home and family and friends, the
+excitement became intense.
+
+That night Yuki San lay once more on her soft _futon_ and watched the
+shadow of the night-lamp play upon the screens. Nothing was changed in
+the homely room since she had lain there in her babyhood: the same
+little lamp, the same little Buddha on the shelf looking at her with
+inscrutable eyes.
+
+Yuki San stirred restlessly. "Dat most nice girl in picture," she said
+to herself. "Him make marry with dat girl, he say." Then she added
+inconsequently, with a sigh, "I much hope Saito San go to war for
+long, long time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+For two halcyon months Yuki San lived in a dream. The ample
+compensation Merrit insisted upon making for the hospitality extended
+to him more than met the modest needs of the little household, and
+once again, as in the earlier days, they went on jolly excursions,
+visited ancient temples, and picnicked under the shadow of the
+_torii_. The father and mother always trotted close behind, and Yuki
+San, vastly pleased with her ability, gaily translated the speeches
+from one to another. She talked incessantly, laughing over her own
+mistakes, and growing prettier and more winsome every day.
+
+Merrit was glad to fill his leisure time in such pleasant
+companionship. Yuki San was the same little bundle of charm he
+remembered of old, with her innocence untouched, and a heart whose
+depths had never yet been stirred.
+
+He teased her, and taught her, and played with her, as he would have
+played with a merry child. Naturally gentle and affectionate, he
+unconsciously swept Yuki San to the borderland of that golden world
+where to awaken alone is agony.
+
+One morning, when the heavy mists of the valley lay in masses of pink
+against the deeper purple of the mountain, and his Highness, the sun,
+his face flushed from his long climb, was sending his first glances
+over the sunny peaks of Fuji-yama, Yuki San arose, after a sleepless
+night, and faced the morning with sorrowful eyes.
+
+"You ve'y lazy, Mister Sun, this morning," she said, shaking a finger
+at him in reproof; "where you the have been? Why you not come the more
+early and make light for my busy?"
+
+She tied the long sleeves of her bright kimono out of her way, and
+twisting a bit of cloth about her head, fell to dusting the
+_shoji_ and setting the small room in order.
+
+"I must the hurry," she said, as she kept up her brisk dusting. "I
+make the food so quick as that Robin San steal berry for his babies.
+To-day him one big, big day, but him no glad day. Merrit San go away."
+She paused in her work, and a look of pain darkened her eyes, but she
+shook her head reproachfully.
+
+"Ah, Yuki San, you make sorry voice and your heart is thinking tears.
+You naughty girl! Quick you make the fire to rise in _hibachi_ and
+give that Merrit San his _gohan_--same thing what that funny 'Merica
+call breakfast."
+
+After the steam had begun to rise from the vessels on several
+_hibachi_, Yuki San, flushed by her exertions, rested upon her heels
+before the door that led into the garden. As she fanned her flushed
+face with her sleeve, she glanced again and again toward the narrow
+stairway that led to the chamber above, and at the slightest sound she
+listened in smiling expectancy.
+
+From outside the wall came the gentle slip-slap of the water against
+the _sampan_, and the cheerful banter of the owners as they made ready
+for the work of the day.
+
+Circling the garden, the fern-like maples made a note of vivid crimson
+amid the feathery green of the bamboo. Every feature of the place was
+closely associated with her short happy life. She had learned to walk
+on the soft sandy paths, she had spelled out her first characters on
+the old stone-lantern. She had whispered her secrets to the
+broken-nosed image of Kwannon, who sat in the shadow of the pines, and
+there under the plum-tree she had caught the naughty kitten that first
+brought her and Merrit San together.
+
+As she sat, with folded hands, and watched the sunshine on the dewy
+leaves and flowers, her intense, restless, vivacious body relaxed in
+sudden languor and her soft mouth drooped in wistfulness.
+
+A splash in the pool below attracted her, and looking down she saw the
+gleaming bodies of the goldfish as they leaped into the air. Instantly
+she was all life and volubility.
+
+"Yuki San one big bad girl; she no remember li'l fish. They always
+like hungry baby San in early morning. I make fast to fill big hole
+inside--ve'y li'l outside."
+
+Slipping her half-stockinged feet out of her straw house-shoes, she
+stepped into her wooden _geta,_ and passing a shelf, filled her hands
+with round rice-cakes.
+
+The edge of the water turned to gold as the fish crowded close. Yuki
+San scattered the crumbs and stood watching the wriggling mass for a
+moment, then said:
+
+"You ve'y greedy li'l fish. I never no can fill your bodies. Now I get
+flower for Merrit San's breakfast."
+
+She made her way over the flat mossy stones, passed the miniature Fuji
+where dwelt the spirit of the wondrous "Lady who made the flowers to
+bloom." She paused before the gorgeous chrysanthemums and looked long
+at the morning-glories, with their tender tints of dawn. But at last
+she spied on a rose-bush, set apart from the rest, a single white rose
+with a heart of red.
+
+With a little cry of satisfaction, she thrust her hands among the
+thorns to pluck it. The rebound of the bush sent fluttering to her
+feet a brilliant purple butterfly. Tender to all living things, Yuki
+San dropped quickly to her knees and folded the half-chilled creature
+between the palms of her warm hands.
+
+"Ah, Cho Cho San," she said, "the day of yesterday you so big and
+strong. The morning of to-day you have the weakness of cold body. That
+Jack Floss him ve'y naughty boy!"
+
+She put her moist red lips to her folded palms and the warmth of her
+breath stirred to action the gauzy creature she held captive.
+
+"You no must kick, Cho Cho San! Have the patience. I make you warm, I
+give you one more day of happy."
+
+Yuki San's wooden shoes sent a sharp click into the quiet morning air
+as she quickly crossed the arched bridge and followed the path to the
+stone image beyond the pool. With a touch as soft as the wings she
+held, the girl lightly balanced the now thoroughly warmed butterfly on
+the broad forehead of the Goddess of Mercy.
+
+In sharp contrast to the spirit of the scene came the clear,
+rollicking strains of an American air, whistled by some one coming
+down the steps.
+
+For a moment Yuki San stood motionless, pressing her lips softly to
+the rose she held. Then, with a swift pitter-patter, she ran back to
+the house.
+
+"The top of the morning to the honorable Miss Snow," said Merrit, who
+quite filled the doorway.
+
+Not willing to be surpassed in salutation, Yuki San laid a hand on
+each knee, and bending her back at right angles, replied with mock
+gravity:
+
+"Ohayo Gozaimasu-Kyo wa yoi O tenki."
+
+Merrit knew she had him at a disadvantage in her own language, but,
+always delighted to see the play of her dimples and the soft pink
+creep into her cheeks when he teased, he stood by her now, big and
+stern, and growling.
+
+"See here, Yuki San, otherwise Miss Snow, you just come off your high
+stilts of that impossible lingo, and speak nice English suitable for a
+little boy like me to understand."
+
+"Li'l boy like you!" she rippled, "li'l boy like you! Merrit San him
+so long when he make Japanese bow he come down from top like big
+bamboo-tree--so!" Putting her hands high above her head, she bent till
+the tips of her fingers touched the floor. Still bent, she twisted her
+head till her eyes, bright with laughter, looked straight into
+Merrit's.
+
+He lifted his eyebrows quizzically. "See here, Yuki San, you are fast
+developing the symptoms of a coquette."
+
+She quickly straightened her back, and with a smile of bewilderment,
+exclaimed:
+
+"Me croquette? No, no; croquette, him li'l chicken-ball what you eat.
+I no can be eat!"
+
+Merrit shouted with delight, then grew grave.
+
+"No, Yuki San, you don't ever want to be a coquette. You want to be
+your sweet little self, and make a good wife to that handsome soldier
+Saito, with all his gold braid and dingle-dangles. But what about
+breakfast? You see, my train leaves in an hour. If you don't give me
+something to fill my honorable insides, I'll have to eat you, sure
+enough."
+
+In mock fear she quickly brought a low table from an inner room, and
+with deft hands placed the steaming soup and broiled fish before him.
+The knife and fork were a concession to Merrit's inability to wield
+the chopsticks, and sitting on his heels was Merrit's concession to
+the inability of the house to provide a chair.
+
+"Hello!" he said, picking up a long-stemmed rose, "where did you find
+this beauty?"
+
+"I guessed her with my nose," the girl answered. "You know what make
+her heart so red? Long time ago, most beautiful princess love with
+wrong man. Make Buddha ve'y angly, and he turn her body into white
+rose. But her heart just stay all time red 'cause of beautiful love
+that was there."
+
+"My! he's a fierce old customer, that Buddha of yours," said Merrit.
+
+Yuki San paused in the filling of the rice-bowl and looked at him
+gravely:
+
+"Merrit San, do you know God?"
+
+"Do I know God?" he repeated, with a half-embarrassed laugh.
+
+"Yes, Christians' God, what you must love and love, but no never can
+see till die-time come. You know, Merrit San?" Then, lowering her
+voice in earnest inquiry, she went on: "You believe that Christians'
+God more better for Japanese girl than Buddha?"
+
+For a moment Merrit felt the hot blood of confusion rise to his
+temples. The role of spiritual adviser was a new and somewhat
+embarrassing one. Struggling for expression, he floundered hopelessly.
+
+"I--I--I guess I don't know very much about it. But there's one sure
+tip, Yuki San, the Christians' God is all right. You can't lose out if
+you pin to him." He stammered like a foolish schoolboy, but struggled
+bravely on: "When things get pretty thick and you've struck bottom,
+that's the time you find out. I know. I've been there. More's the pity
+I don't remember it oftener!"
+
+"And you think him more better for me?" asked Yuki San, still
+perplexed.
+
+"You bet I do!" said Merrit with conviction. "Take my word for it and
+don't forget."
+
+"I no forget," she said.
+
+A sliding of the screen and a call from the court-yard announced the
+arrival of the jinrikisha men, who had come for the baggage.
+
+Merrit thrust back his half-finished breakfast.
+
+"By Jove! I'd most forgotten this is my last meal with you. Just to
+think all that tiresome old government contract is finished and I'll
+soon be on my way to the other side!"
+
+"You want to see other side?" she asked. "Mama San not there no more."
+Then seeing his face darken, she laid a quick hand of sympathy on his.
+"I have the sorrowful for you," she said earnestly, then went on
+hastily: "That other side! Yes, I know that most beautiful 'Merica.
+Most big ship in the world come rolling into Hatoba. Merrit San so
+long and big, stand way out front and see over much people. Then he
+cry out, 'Herro!' herro!' with glad and much joyful. He see that
+lovely girl like picture waiting there!"
+
+Without pausing for a reply, she pushed open a door and called in
+Japanese to her father and mother, who never made their appearance
+till Merrit's breakfast was finished.
+
+"Come, make ready to give our guest an honorable departure," she said.
+
+In the small courtyard facing the street the girl found the men, with
+their jinrikishas and baggage-wagon, waiting to convey Merrit to the
+station. She carefully directed the tying on of the various trunks and
+bags, and placed the family just where they should stand that the
+greatest honor might be done the departing guest.
+
+As Merrit came out of the little house and reached for his shoes,
+which stood waiting at the side, Yuki San started toward him, eager to
+serve him to the last. Merrit motioned her back.
+
+"Don't come too near, Yuki San. If you happened to fall into one of
+those shoes, you'd be lost for ever and ever, and that big Mr. Saito
+would be inviting me to cut off my head."
+
+Yuki San laughed and smoothed the cushions in the jinrikisha while she
+gave minute directions to the jinrikisha men.
+
+Merrit made his adieu with high good humor, and so many big words that
+Yuki San was hard pressed to interpret. He invited the family and all
+their relatives to come to see him in America. When he reached Yuki
+San he held out his hand. Made shy by the unusual ceremony, she
+timidly laid a cold and unresponsive little palm in his. He looked
+down from his height with tender memories of all her gentle
+courtesies.
+
+"Good-by, little snow-girl," he said. "I'll never forget Japan, nor
+you."
+
+She withdrew her hand and looked inquiringly up at him.
+
+"Some long time you come back?"
+
+Merrit climbed into the jinrikisha "No, Yuki San, you know I'll soon
+have a little home of my own to work and care for. I'll be a busy man
+for the next few years, so I guess I'll not come back."
+
+As in a dream, Yuki San saw the men adjust their hats and tighten
+their sashes as they took their places in front of the small vehicle.
+Mechanically she bowed her farewell with the rest of the family, but
+she did not join their "Sayonara."
+
+She watched the swift moving of the jinrikisha wheels, then she saw
+Merrit turn at the gate and wave his hat as he joyously called:
+
+"Good-by, Yuki San, God bless you!"
+
+The girl stood still, her eyes on the empty gate. Like a lonely, hurt
+child her lip quivered, and she caught it between her teeth to steady
+it.
+
+"Ah, Yuki," cried her mother, "some spirit has wished you harm. A drop
+of blood rests on your lips."
+
+Yuki San drew her hand across her mouth, and lightly answered that
+maybe a robin had tried to steal a cherry. But to herself she
+murmured:
+
+"My heart bleed for lonely. He _never_ come back."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+The following day a host of accumulated duties and various
+preparations for the first ceremonious visit of the groom-elect kept
+Yuki San's hands and mind busy, and if sometimes a sob rose in her
+throat, or her eyes strayed wistfully from her task, she resolutely
+refused to let herself dwell upon the past.
+
+The marriage, which had been dutifully accepted as a matter of course
+and looked forward to as a financial relief to the entire family, had
+never held any particular interest for her, but now even the
+preparations, which had hitherto excited her interest and enthusiasm,
+found her listless and indifferent.
+
+She would be mistress over a great mansion and many servants, and her
+days were to be spent in arranging for the physical comfort of Saito
+and the entertainment of his friends.
+
+The arrangement had seemed so simple, and so right, and she had been
+gratified that a desirable husband had been found. But now she could
+neither understand nor explain to herself her new and strange
+resistance. She only knew that for the first time in her life there
+was rebellion against the inevitable.
+
+As she rested her tired body before beginning her toilet for the
+afternoon, she remembered an American teacher at school who had been
+_in love_ with the man she was soon to marry. She remembered how she
+had hidden behind the trees to see this young teacher run to the gate
+to meet the postman, and her own failure to see why these letters
+should bring such joy. She, with other girls, had spent a whole recess
+acting this scene amid peals of laughter. Now it all came back to her
+with new meaning, and it seemed neither strange nor amusing.
+
+She leaned her head against the open _shoji_ and looked out into the
+garden, radiant and beautiful in the high noon of a perfect autumn
+day.
+
+The working world paused in a brief sleep and the music of the garden
+was hushed, while the insects sought the shadow of green leaves. Peace
+was within and without, save in the girl's awakening heart.
+
+"Ah, Sensei," she murmured through her trembling lips. "Then I make
+fun for your letter of love. Forgive my impolite. Now I the
+understanding have."
+
+Yuki San chose her toilet for the coming visit with due regard for all
+convention. There must be no touch of purple--that being the color
+soonest to fade made it an evil omen. She selected an _obi_ of rare
+brocade, the betrothal gift of Saito, the great length of which
+expressed the hope of an enduring marriage.
+
+As she dressed, her mother flitted about her, chatting volubly and in
+such high spirits that Yuki San's heart was warmed. The elaborate
+trousseau had caused the little household many a sacrifice, but the
+joy in the hearts of the old people more than justified them.
+
+Presently the clatter of the jinrikisha in the courtyard announced the
+arrival of the guest. Yuki San heard the long ceremonious greeting of
+her father. She saw her mother hasten away to do her part and, left
+alone, she sat with troubled eyes and drooping head.
+
+The strange feeling in her heart, one moment of joy and one of pain,
+bewildered and frightened her. No thought of evading her duty crossed
+her mind, but her whole being cried out for a beautiful something she
+had just found, but which it was futile to hope for in her new life.
+
+At the call of her mother, Yuki San silently pushed open the screen
+and made her low and graceful greeting. Custom forbidding her to take
+part in the conversation, she busied herself with serving the tea,
+listening while Saito San recounted various incidents of the
+picturesque court-life, or told of adventures in the recent war.
+
+After all the prescribed topics had been discussed and the farewells
+had been said, Yuki San retained a vague impression of a small,
+middle-aged man, with many medals on his breast, who looked at her
+with kind, unsmiling eyes.
+
+It was not till after the simple evening meal that Yuki San found the
+chance to slip away to the little upper room which had been Merrit's
+for two months. Nothing there had been touched, for the old mother
+claimed that to set a room in order too soon after a guest's departure
+was to sweep out all luck with him.
+
+The girl entered and stood, a ghostly image, in the soft and tender
+light of the great autumn moon as it lay against the paper doors and
+filled the tiny room. Through the half-light Yuki San saw many touches
+of the late inmate's personality. A discarded tie hung limply from a
+hook on the wall, a half-smoked cigar and a faded white rose lay side
+by side on the low table.
+
+From the garden the sad call of a night-bird, with its oft-repeated
+wail, seemed to voice her loneliness, and with a sob she sank upon her
+knees beside the cot. Long she lay in an abandonment of grief, beating
+futile wings against the bars of fate. At last, throwing out her arms,
+she touched a small object beneath the pillow. Drawing it toward her,
+she took it to the open _shoji_, and by the bright moonlight she saw a
+small morocco note-book. She puzzled over the strange figures on the
+first few pages, but from the small pocket on the back cover she drew
+forth a picture that neither confused nor surprised. It was the girl
+Merrit had told her about--the girl to whom he was going so joyously.
+
+It was a face full of the gladness of life and love, whose laughing
+eyes looked straight into Yuki San's with such a challenge of
+friendship and good will that the girl smiled back at the picture and
+laid it gently against her warm cheek.
+
+She sought out each detail of hair and dress as she held it for closer
+inspection, then replacing it in the pocket she said softly:
+
+"He have the big, big love for you. You give him the happy. I close my
+heart about you."
+
+On the back of the book in letters of gold she spelled out the strange
+word, "Diary." She puzzled for a moment, then she remembered where she
+had seen it before. The young American teacher had written in just
+such a book, and when she asked its meaning, the teacher had said it
+was her best friend, her confidant, to whom she told her secrets.
+
+For a moment Yuki San stood with the book in her hand, then she said
+impulsively:
+
+"Diary! I make diary, too. I speak my thoughts to you. I tole you all
+my secrets. Maybe my lonely heart will flew away."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE DIARY OF YUKI SAN
+
+
+_First Entry_
+
+'Merican Sensei say she have one closest friend in little book. I tell
+my troublesome to this little book what spells "Diary" in gold letters
+on back. I make it my closest friend what no never speaks the words of
+yours when heart overflows with several feelings. I write for Merrit
+San, but his eyes no must never see. Just my heart speak to his heart
+in that 'Merican tongue what he understands.
+
+Japanese girl very naughty if she love man. She made for the take care
+of man's mother, man's house. Very bad for Japanese girl to say love
+when she marry with man. Merrit San say 'Merican girl speak love with
+eyes when lips are shame. Japanese girl cover the eye with little
+curtain when man comes. She no must peep out one little corner. No
+must see, no must hear, no must speak the love.
+
+So I make little book guess my heart each day.
+
+The happy days are pass away, and the flowers are bloom and birds will
+return to me again, but where can I find Merrit San? How I feel the
+sorry and the lonesome when I think I can't find him no more in this
+long island. I no can express my heart with words. I never the forget
+of his kindness to me.
+
+Big lamp by Merrit San's desk no never burn so bright for me. It make
+funny little crooked shadow of my body on _shoji_. Merrit San's body
+always make big and strong black picture. I saw it last time big moon
+look over mountain. I took walk in garden and I thinking this time
+next moon Merrit San will not be here. Though the lamplight shines
+through the _shoji,_ still in next month the owner of the light will
+be different and the ache come into my heart.
+
+Whole Japan are changed, and everything I see or hear makes me think
+of him; but my thoughts of him never, never changed, yet more and more
+increase and longing for him all time. My heart speak the much word of
+love for Merrit San. My eyes grow shame to say it. Little book, close
+my secret!
+
+_Second Entry_
+
+ALL day many rains come down in garden. He steals flowers' sweetness
+and damp my heart with lonesome. Last rainy day Merrit San teached me
+more better English, and he laugh very long when I read the English
+writing with my Japanese tongue. He say: "Ah, Yuki San, you very funny
+little girl!"
+
+Then I teach him the play of _go ban_, and he make the pain in his
+head with the several thoughts how he must move the black or white. He
+try long, long time, then he shake his big feest, and he say: "You've
+got me beat, little sister; you've got me sure."
+
+I laugh, but I think much thoughts. _I_ no hurt Merrit San with beat,
+and girl with much laugh in her eyes have got him for surely. I no
+understand that funny 'Merican tongue.
+
+Merrit San so many time call me little sister, and he say my soul all
+white like my name. What _is_ my soul? Ah, that same spirit what leave
+my body and go out 'cross that many seas to safe Merrit San's journey.
+I keep that soul all purely and white all of because Merrit San call
+me Little Sister Snow.
+
+One day I take Merrit San with me to very old temple. Sun, him so
+bright he make all leaves to dance with glad. Green lizard take sleep
+on stone step while big honey-bee sing song. All things have the
+joyful, and my feets just touch earth with lightsome.
+
+I go inside temple and say one very little pray to Amida, for I have
+the hurry. When I go back, Merrit San he say:
+
+"See here, Yuki San, you no waste time over pray. You get the trouble
+with that old gentleman if you have not the careful."
+
+Then I say: "Next time I give him little money and make big smoke with
+incense," and he say, "Yuki, you very good girl."
+
+Just by temple's side is little bamboo-tree which have very nice
+story. One good god he like this bamboo, and he like the beautiful
+love. He say give names of man and woman to boughs of bamboo and make
+the tie together with long pin of thorn. Give the low bow, and by and
+by the dear wish in heart will be truly.
+
+Merrit San he no can know what I do, but he hold the high boughs of
+bamboo down and I name him and me and make the tie together.
+
+The dear wish of my heart come not truly. It is full of sad.
+
+_Third Entry_
+
+What shall I do to less my anxious? To-day at temple I ask Buddha. He
+never speak. He always look far away at big sea. He no care, though
+tears of the heart make damp the kimono sleeve. The Christians' God I
+no can see. But Merrit San say he is everywhere and listens for voice
+of troublesome. I no can make him hear, though I say the loud prayer.
+
+Buddha very ugly old god. Maybe him cross when he see very pretty
+Japanese girl make the low bow to him.
+
+I believe Christians' God more better than Buddha, because Merrit San
+say he make everything truly. He make me, he make Merrit San, he make
+the beautiful love. Maybe some day that big God hear about Japanese
+girl's heart of trouble and speak the peace.
+
+To-day one long so busy day. Many silk must be sewed into fine kimono
+for the when I go to live in other house. Sometimes I very glad I go
+to other house. I make the many comforts of my mother and my father.
+
+To-day I see the much cold in my father's body. Very soon he have nice
+warm kimono with sheep's fur all inside. Then I make the glad heart, I
+marry with Japanese man.
+
+It is getting little cold, and every night the moon is so clear. These
+day crickets are singing among the grasses. Those make me to think of
+Merrit San more and more. This fall was quite changed to me. At first
+Merrit San never come back to me as I expect in dreamy way. I have the
+feel of very helpless and lonesome. Before, though I had some trouble
+or unhappiness, if I saw Merrit San's smile everything was taken clear
+away and my heart was full with cheer and happy.
+
+Ah, Merrit San, though it makes my cheek red with hot to write the
+speak, I love you most.
+
+Buddha very naughty old god to say nothing truly is.
+
+_Fourth Entry_
+
+Ah, Merrit San, what you suppose I have dream last night? I was so
+happy that I cannot tell with my tongue nor pen. That _you_ come back!
+I could no word speak out with so much glad. I had many things to tell
+you before I wake, but I could not even one thing.
+
+You say you stay ten days. It is too short, but it far more better is
+than half night. Oh, I wish so bad I did not wake up from dream!
+
+I was tearful with much disappoint, then I remember that day you go to
+big 'Merica you call back "God bless you, Yuki San," and with my heart
+I make one soft prayer to Christians' God.
+
+When big temple bell wake me up and all birds, my troublesome was more
+light, and I make so big breakfast for my father and my mother, my
+pocket began to tell the loneliness, and I could not perform all my
+wishes.
+
+When I write these letters Merrit San is far away at sea on the way of
+his home. He will have joyful time. I wish I can see her, that girl
+with the laugh in her eyes. Wonder how she thinks of Japan. Perhaps
+she would think how small and lonely country and people. One girl in
+that Japanese country very sad with lonely.
+
+But Merrit San say: "Yuki San, you _good girl_, you be good wife." So
+I make the try to put my lonely heart to sleep.
+
+_Fifth Entry_
+
+Time and days goes too fast as running water. Already old month went
+away and new one have come. It is time for us to do last work on many
+clothes for new home.
+
+When Japanese girl marry with man she take much goods to his house.
+To-day my father bring what 'Merican call bureau, and many work-box
+and trays and much fine _futon_ for to sleep on floor with. Next day
+after this many mens will come and travel all things to other house.
+Japanese girl wear fine kimono long, long time, and keep for more
+little girl. Merrit San say 'Merican girl wear fine kimono one time,
+then she no more like.
+
+Then 'Merican girl have much happy in her heart. 'Merican man come to
+girl's house to marry with her. She no afraid to speak the word of
+love, though man's mother sit next by him. She no 'fraid of laugh. She
+has the joyful of life.
+
+Japanese girl very happy when she very little girl, or very, very old.
+But when she goes to man's house to marry with him, she must always be
+the quiet of little mice and more busy than honey-bee. Very bad. But
+Japanese girl have the much brave, and holds the happy in her heart
+when she brings the comforts to her peoples.
+
+Merrit San say many more big country than Japan in world. I say, "What
+is world? I wish I know world like you!" Merrit San stop the laugh and
+his voice grow still with quiet, then he say:
+
+"Ah, Yuki San, little snow-girl like you should not know the world.
+Cuddle in your little nest and be content."
+
+What is content? It is the don't care of anything but the
+flower-garden in my heart. Wonder if girl with laugh in her eyes have
+the content? This day I take walk by seas. Last time I take walk so many
+peoples come with us. I make into Japanese words all Merrit San's funny
+speaks. We have the much laugh: Merrit San try the eat with chop-sticks.
+
+To-day little boat what we ride the water in was broke by its nose and
+many seas was eating it up. Loud cold wind make pine-trees shivery and
+sad. Big gray cloud come down and make all black with sorrowful.
+Sometimes little white waves jump up and dance, but the joyful of last
+happy day stings my heart.
+
+_Sixth Entry_
+
+More long time go running slowly by since you have left us, and as I
+was thinking of that running and those days and longing for you and my
+heart getting down in lonely thoughts, _Yubin_ San bring me those
+package what you sent, Merrit San, and it made me very glad and happy.
+Hardly can I tell what was in my heart then. Before I can open it I
+hold it tightly against my breast and kept silence a little while.
+Tears of sorrow changed into the great joy for a moment when I see
+your name and your hand of write. I feel as if I receive a new life
+right in this minute, and I caught a light of hope in yonder. My
+heartful joy and gladness will not express, and I wish I can go up in
+high place and shout out and tell all people the joyful of beautiful
+love. How it make the change in whole earth and life and give the
+dance of heart. But I will not. Mens and women of Japanese country
+have not the understand of such lovely thing, and make the shameful of
+me. So I give silence to my lips and close the door of my heart. Ah,
+what funny little thing that heart is! In one half live the joyful.
+Other side have all the painful of life, and when the love come
+sometimes he knock at wrong door and give the hurtful ache to life.
+Ah, Merrit San, you give many thankfuls for the lend of my house in
+your letter. I give the love of you many more thankfuls for coming to
+my heart, even he knock at two doors. One day me and Merrit San went
+down to temple where big feast was. Merrit San go inside and look long
+long time at Buddha, then he say:
+
+"Yuki San, what will this old gentleman do to you if you disobey him?"
+I give little think, then I say, "I no can know--I no never disobey.
+Buddha say, 'Yuki, take care father and mother all time.' I take care.
+Him say, 'Yuki, you woman--you not talk too much.' I no talk much.
+Then him say, 'Yuki, come many time to temple and make light with
+incense and put little money every time in box.' I give obey and much
+_go rin_, but Buddha keep all and never give back." Before I finish my
+speak Merrit San shiver like cold and say, "Come on, Yuki San, let's
+get out of here and find the sun." Outside I make cherry-wreath while
+Merrit San tell me story. Him very sweet day--now all gone forever.
+
+_Seventh Entry_
+
+Last fine kimono is finished and all baggage is tied. Next day I go to
+other house.
+
+Then my mother will give all house much sweep with new broom, to tell
+gods I go 'way no more to come back. Maybe they make big fire by gate
+to tell all peoples I belong to other house now. Ah, little book,
+to-night I make big fire in my heart and burn all my wickeds in it. Next
+day I make more fire and burn you. To other house I must go all white
+and purely as Merrit San say.
+
+Ah, Merrit San, you the one big happy in all my life and I never
+forget all your kindful. You give me the good heart, like sun make
+flower-bud unclose. You telled me what is soul and purely, and you say
+be very good wife.
+
+One night when moon was big and round and red and river outside wall
+go spank, spank, you call all my people to garden, and with the
+'Merican _samisen_ you sing much songs.
+
+Sometimes you very funny, but sometimes when moon specks slip through
+big pine-tree, I see you very sadful.
+
+Now moon speck come on _shoji_ and ache my eyes to look your face once
+more.
+
+I try so much to make picture of man's face I marry with. I no can see
+anything but much medals on coat, and so many teeths. Merrit San's
+eyes all blue and twinkly, and face so white and clean.
+
+But now he make the joyful with girl with laugh in her eyes, and her
+feet no touch the ground with much happy.
+
+To-morrow I go to other house and no belong to my father and mother.
+To-day I go temple, and I make promise I no more speak of Merrit San's
+name; no more the think of his face in my heart.
+
+Little book, I weared you close to my breast many days. To-night I
+sleep with you tight to my heart. You gived me the courage to turn my
+face to the rising sun of the to-morrow.
+
+_Sayonara._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+The low, deep music of a temple bell rolled down the hillside and
+echoed through the giant cryptomerias. It stirred to action the
+creatures of the early dawn and passed out with infinite sweetness to
+the red-rimmed east of another day.
+
+The priests in the old temples chanted their prayers with weird
+monotony, while a single bird poured out his morning song of love at
+the door of his mate.
+
+The old stone steps leading from temple to temple would have looked as
+they had a thousand other mornings, gray, grim, and mossy, save for a
+little figure that slowly took its way up a long and crooked flight.
+
+Yuki San was on her way to make good her promise to the gods. Her
+wooden shoes clicked sharply in the quiet morning air, then hushed as
+she paused for rest on a broad step. Even the exertion of the long
+climb had failed to color her white cheeks, but her lips were carmine
+and her eyes luminous with purpose.
+
+The one spot of color about her otherwise sober little figure was a
+bright-red _furoshike_ held close, in which something was carefully
+wrapped.
+
+A noisy waterfall leaped past her down the hillside in a perpetual
+challenge to race to the foot. Stern-faced images, grim of aspect,
+stared at her as she climbed, but Yuki San kept gravely on her way
+until she reached the open door of the great silent temple.
+
+The faint light of the early morning had scarce penetrated the shadows
+that clung about the gorgeous hangings and rich symbols of this
+ancient place of worship. A white-robed priest, oblivious to all save
+his own meditations, paid little heed to the childlike figure as it
+knelt before the cold, calm, unchanging image of the great Buddha.
+
+For a moment Yuki San moved her lips. Still kneeling, she drew from
+her sash the red _furoshike_ and took from it a small morocco
+note-book.
+
+With light steps she crossed to a brazier, and with a pair of small
+tongs lifted from it a glowing coal. With steady fingers she pushed
+aside the many sticks of incense in the great brass vessel before the
+shrine, and making a little grave among the ashes, she laid within the
+burning coal the little book.
+
+The blue smoke, rising slowly, hung for a moment above the girl's head
+as a halo, then rose to the feet of Buddha as in supplication for
+mercy, and was finally lost in the darkness of the heavy roof.
+
+The girl watched with wide eyes and parted lips. Clasping her hands,
+she lifted her face and from her heart came a fervent, whispered
+prayer.
+
+"I make empty my heart of all wicked. Buddha or Christians' God, I no
+can know which. Please the more better speak into my lonely life the
+word of peace."
+
+She turned from the silent temple on her homeward way. She paused by
+the clump of bamboo where so short a time before she had gleefully
+tied together two boughs in the name of Merrit and herself. Tiptoeing
+to reach the high boughs which Merrit had held for her to tie, she
+drew them downward to slip the thong that bound them. After holding
+them to her soft cheek a moment, she let them fly apart, while she
+closed her eyes and whispered softly:
+
+"Good-by, beautiful love, good-by."
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Sister Snow, by Frances Little
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