you went to Harvard, did you, Yoritomo?"

The Japanese's smile broadened somewhat when he answered with a slight
accent:

"American floors are not intended to be used as chairs."

"Meaning, Mr. Ito, that the American floors are not as entirely free from
dust as the Japanese floors?" inquired Miss Campbell.

"Oh, no, Madam," protested the Japanese, horrified at this implication of
rudeness but unable to dispel the impression nevertheless.

"I grant you that our houses are not as clean as yours," went on Miss
Campbell, "but you see we haven't time to remove our shoes whenever we
enter the house, and then we have so much furniture and so many hangings
to catch the dust. I don't see how you Japanese can resist the collecting
habit in a country where there are so many beautiful things to collect."

"My dear Cousin, they are as great collectors as anybody, only they keep
their valuables stored in a fire-proof house--what is it you call it,
Yoritomo?" asked Mr. Campbell.

"It is called in English language a 'go-down.'"

"So it is, a 'go-down.' It always reminds me of a steep grade down the
side of a mountain. Here they keep all their best clothes and vases and
ornaments and only bring out one vase and one scroll at a time. When they
grow tired of those things, they are stored and something else is brought
out, so that there is perpetual variety in the Japanese home."

"I should hate to have my best clothes locked in a fire-proof house,"
announced Nancy. "Suppose one wanted to make a quick change and the
key was mislaid."

"Ah, Miss Nancy," laughed Mr. Campbell, "it is not difficult to see where
your heart lies."

Yoritomo looked at Nancy with polite though evident interest which
gradually developed into a cautiously veiled admiration. He was about
to speak, when he was interrupted by the troop of little maids headed by
Onoye with tea and refreshments. It was Onoye who served the young
Japanese. First she bowed before him until her forehead almost touched
the ground. Then she placed a mat for him to sit upon and a low lacquer
tray containing tea and rice cakes. But Yoritomo, ignoring these humble
services, sat himself in a chair next to Nancy and little Onoye hastened
to rectify her mistake.

In the meantime, Nicholas Grimm was talking to Billie and Elinor.

"Are you from Holland?" they asked him.

"Several hundreds of years ago I was. Kinterhook, New York, has been my
home for the last generation."

"Good," e