"It is much better, honorable sir, that I stand."

"Why?"

"Because I am servant."

"Not here, surely," replied the shipbuilder. "All the waiters here
are negroes."

"Not all in kitchen, honorable sir," responded the Japanese, with an air
of great deference. "Some in kitchen are Japanese."

"Are you employed in the kitchen, Mr. Kamanako?" asked the shipbuilder.

"Until to-day, honorable sir."

"Meaning you have left the employ of the hotel?"

"Yes, honorable sir."

"Then you're going away from here?"

"I hope to follow the sea, honorable sir. I am a sailor. All my
ancestors before me were sailors. We love the salt water."

"There is something, then, that I can do for you, isn't there?" guessed
the shipbuilder.

"If you will be so good, honorable sir. I seek to become steward aboard