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Before the curtain rose, the Nesan flew busily from one box to the other with cushions and sweetmeats, baskets of oranges and boxes of sweet pickled black beans. Presently came the sound of two blocks of wood striking together. Then the curtain rose and the audience settled itself for three hours of the most intense enjoyment.
Perhaps she was older than Mr. Buxton, but she was sure she didn't look it and she had no intention of being designated as his "elder sister." "Oh, but he always has," replied Mr. Buxton. "A Japanese providence always provides a Nesan, or elder sister, for persons desiring to entertain. All she requires of you is to leave her alone and pay the bill." Miss Campbell felt somewhat mollified.
The nesan produced a sponge and towel from her long sleeves and, taking Percival by the hand, led him down the hall. Once in the big, square wooden tank, with the hot water up to his chin, he forgot his trouble, and gave himself up to the luxury of the moment.
Even the knowledge that the determined little nesan was waiting outside the door, and that she frequently applied a round, black eye to a hole in the screen, did not interfere with his enjoyment. When he was again in his room, clothed except for his shoes, his troubles once more assailed him. Suppose the Weston party did not return by this route!
So?" he joined forces with the nesan to get Percival out of his clothes and into the fresh-flowered kimono that lay on the mat. "But I never take a tub in the afternoon," persisted Percival. Preparations went politely, but steadily, forward. "What's this she's putting on me?" he cried. "I say, I won't wear a sash; the whole thing's too beastly silly. Tell her to take it off."
There also was their own particular Nesan, owner of that particular tea house, who bowed gracefully and said in Japanese: "Be honorably pleased to enter." Inside, the tea house was scrupulously clean. The bare boards in the hall seemed worn thin by scrubbing and nowhere were any furniture or ornaments except the hanging scroll.
"It would be an unpardonable breach of etiquette," he called over his shoulder. Presently he turned back and added, "You are not to use that infernal machine for my party. The Nesan provided 'rikshas for all guests." "But that's just an additional expense to you, Buxton," cried Mr. Campbell.
Converging from various points in Tokyo but all timed to meet at the theater door exactly at five minutes to three, came the other guests of the party in 'rikshas provided by the Nesan. Mme. Fontaine was one of these.
Strange little dishes were produced on trays of red lacquer, fish and vegetables of different kinds artistically arranged, but most unpalatable. A third nésan appeared. She could speak some English. Geoffrey assented. Renewed prostration before okusama, and murmured greetings in Japanese. "But I can't speak Japanese," said Asako laughing. This perplexed the girl, but her curiosity prompted her.
Nodding and smiling at the girls brightly, she followed Miss Campbell into the theater where they were met by the plump, hospitable little Nesan, who prostrated herself before each guest and removed shoes at the same time. Miss Campbell groaned. "Oh, dear," she complained. "Even at the theater! I shall never get accustomed to walking flat-footed.
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