reatest entertainment. They form a
contrast which gives rise to the most absurd jokes, and most
unforeseen situations. He brings into this fragile little paper house,
his sailor's freedom and ease of manner, and his Breton accent; side
by side with these tiny mousmes of affected manners and bird-like
voices, who, small as they are, rule the big fellow as they please;
make him eat with chopsticks; teach him Japanese "_pigeon-vole_,"--and
cheat him, and quarrel, and almost die of laughter over it all.

Certainly he and Chrysantheme take a pleasure in each other's company.
But I remain serenely undisturbed, and cannot imagine that this
little chance doll with whom I play at married life, could possibly
bring a serious trouble between this "brother" and myself.

XIX.

My family of Japanese relations, very numerous and very conspicuous,
is a great source of diversion to those of my brother officers who
visit me in my villa on the hill,--most especially to _komodachi
taksan takai (the immensely tall friend)_.

I have a charming mother-in-law--quite a woman of the world,--little
sisters-in-law, little cousins, and aunts who are still quite young.

I have even a poor cousin, twice removed, who is a djin. There was
some hesitation in owning this latter to me; but, behold! during the
ceremony of introduction, we exchanged a smile of recognition, it was
number 415.

Over this poor 415, my friends on board crack no end of jokes,--one in
particular, who, less than any one has the right to make them, little
Charles N----, for his mother-in-law was once a porter, or something
of the kind, at the gateway of a pagoda.

I, however, who have a great respect for strength and agility, much
appreciate this new relative of mine. His legs are undoubtedly the
best in all Nagasaki, and whenever I am in a hurry, I always beg
Madame Prune to send down to the djin stand, and engage my cousin.

XX.

I arrived unexpectedly to-day at Diou-djen-dji, in the midst of a
burning noonday heat. At the foot of the stairs lay Chrysantheme's
wooden clogs and her sandals of varnished leather.

In our rooms, up above, all was open to the air; bamboo blinds lowered
on the sunny side, and through their transparency came warm air and
golden threads of light. To-day, the flowers Chrysantheme had placed
in our bronze vases were lotus, and my eyes fell, as I entered, upon
their great rosy cups.

According to her usual custom, she was lying