Читать книгу Kibun Daizin; Or, From Shark-Boy to Merchant Prince онлайн

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Bunkichi listened to every word, and then suddenly went into the house and stood before the master.

ssss1

THE master and his wife were engaged in conversation, but on seeing Bunkichi the merchant said, “Well, have you been to see the garden?”

“Thank you, I have enjoyed it very much,” answered Bunkichi, politely.

“Why, bless me, he has all the manners of a little samurai^[12]!” exclaimed the master to his wife. “There is no comparison between him and the other boys. But dancing attendance on a little girl is not the sort of employment for a lad who has the ambition to become the leading merchant in Japan. No, no; he wants to get into the shop as soon as he can and learn the ways of business—eh, my boy?”

ssss1.Pronounced sahm’oo-rye. The samurai were the military class of Japan, corresponding to the knights of the middle ages in European countries.

The master exactly interpreted Bunkichi’s wishes, and Bunkichi felt very grateful to him, but he only answered: “I shall esteem it a great favor to be allowed to serve you in any way. But, master, with your leave, I would ask you: Is it true, as I hear, that there is a wanizame lately come into this bay, and that people are suffering a lot of harm from it?”