you in Japanese when she can't in English."

At the words "O'Kami San," Onoye jumped to her feet in subdued
excitement.

"O'Kami San," she repeated.

The two Japanese girls confronted each other. They spoke in low, rapid
voices and their faces were so calm and unemotional they might have been
two Japanese dolls wound tip to move the lips and occasionally make a
slight gesture with one hand. Presently Onoye slipped from her _obi_ a
small package done up in crêpe paper and gave it to O'Kami, who concealed
it in the voluminous folds of her own kimono. They exchanged low,
ceremonious bows and Onoye hurried away, while O'Kami turned to the
mystified young-Americans with an apologetic smile.

"Receive excuses and pardon grant," she said.

Billie made a superhuman effort not to laugh, while Mary stooped to break
off a spray of azaleas and Elinor examined intently a stunted pine tree
planted in a big green jar near the path.

Japanese gardeners are very fond of cultivating these dwarf trees. Some
of the tiniest are said to be of great age. The arrested development
contorts the venerable branches into strange twisted forms but they put
forth blossoms and foliage with systematic dignity.

"What is the matter with our little maid? Were you able to find out?"
Billie asked the visitor.