commerce, and the names of men high in affairs, made me wonder and
wonder again what had led him to choose for advance in fortune this
Buddhist stronghold of moats and medieval castles, so limited in
possibilities, so far from contact with foreign things. The teaching of
English, as I had good reason to know, yielded many a hearty laugh, but
a scant living. There was no other opening here for Europeans.

Every time I saw Page, the more certain I was, not only of his ability,
but of his past experience in bigger things. The inconsistencies of his
story began to irritate me like the pricking of a pin which the
presence of company forbade my removing. However, I did not question him
openly; I tried not to do so in my heart. I found for him more students
as well as excuses to mend his clothes and have him with us. I scolded
him for taking cold, filled him up with stews, brews, and tonics, and
with Jane as chief enthusiast--she had fallen an easy victim--we managed
to make something of a home life for him.

The boy could not hide his pleasure in our little parties; but it was
with protest that he accepted so much waiting on and coddling. He was
always deferential, but delighted in gently laughing at Jane and telling
me stories that could not happen out of a book.

Sometimes his spirits ran high and found expression in song or a
whistled tune. When there was a sudden knock or when he was definitely
questioned, there was something in his attitude which I would have named
fear, had not every line in his lean, muscular body contradicted the
suggestion.

It had not happened very often, but when it did, a nameless something
seemed to cover us, and in passing, left a shadow which turned our happy