chool matters. The effort was useless. His mind stuck as
fast to his worries as a wooden shoe in spring mud.

Not least among his vexations was the difficulty he would have in
marrying Zura off. If she failed in filial piety and obedience to him,
how could she ever learn that most needful lesson of abandoning herself
to the direction of her mother-in-law?

The picture of Zura Wingate, whose early training had been free and
unrestrained, being brought to order by a Japanese mother-in-law was
almost too much for my gravity. It would be like a big black beetle
ordering the life of a butterfly. Not without a struggle the
conservative grandfather acknowledged that his system had failed. For
the first time since I had known him Kishimoto San, with genuine
humility, appealed for help. "Madam, my granddaughter is like new
machineries. The complexities of her conduct causes my mind to suffer
confusion of many strange thought. Condescend to extend to me the help
of your great knowledge relating to girls reared with your flag of
freedom."

I had always thought my ignorance on the subject as deep as a cave. I
would begin at once to excavate my soul in search of that "great
knowledge."

I proceeded a little loftily: "Oh, Kishimoto San, I am sure there is a
way to right things. The fault lies in the fact that Zura and you do not
understand each other. Suppose you permit her to come to me for a little
visit without study. It would give us great pleasure and I could learn
to know her better."

Pushing aside all hesitation and the apologies that etiquette required
on such occasions, greatly relieved, he quickly accepted my invitation.
"You do my house great honor to assume the mystery of Zura's conduct. I
give you most honorable thanks."

When he said good-night the look on his face suggested that a smile
might penetrate the gloom, if he lived long enough.

* * * * *

"By Jove! is that what the women of this country have to go up against?"
Page asked when the door had closed behind Kishimoto San.

"A very small part of them must do so, Mr. Hanaford. It is not so hard
for the women born to it, as they know their fate and can accept it from
babyhood. The suffering falls upon the alien, who runs afoul of their
customs, especially one who has known the delight of liberty."

"Liberty!" repeated Page, gazing out of the window on the thousands of
lights below, which were fluttering in the velvety dark