grant me permission to send her to you daily as a student? Besides her
strange ways, she talks in strange English. I cannot find the same in
any conversation book. Her whole being has need of reconstruction."

I was not in the reconstructing business, but a young girl in the house
meant youth and diversion and a private pupil meant extra pay. What a
little extra money wouldn't do in my house wasn't worth adding up. In
thought I repaired the roof and bought new legs for the kitchen stove.

My visitor, mistaking my silence for hesitation, suggested, "First come
and see her. Analyze her conduct and grant me decision whether she is a
natural, free-born American citizen, as she boasts, or if the gods have
cursed her with a bold spirit. She is of your country, your religion, if
any, and perhaps you can understand her. I fail to comprehend."

He folded his arms for emphasis. The gleam of the western sun caught the
sheen of his silk kimono and covered him with a glow. From under bent
brows he gazed at the scene before him.

Earth and sky and sea breathed beauty. The evening song of the birds was
of love. The spirit of the fading day whispered peace, but unheeding he
sat in troubled silence. Then from the street far below came the shout
of a boy at play. It was a voice full of the gladness of youth. In it
was a challenge of daring and courage. Loudly he called to his troop of
play soldiers to charge splendidly, to fight with the glorious _Yamato
Damashi_ (spirit of Japan).

Kishimoto San heard and with a quick movement raised his head as though
he had felt a blow. "Ah," he murmured to himself, "if it had only been a
boy!"