Читать книгу A Japanese Blossom онлайн

5 страница из 30

It was the following morning that the letter had come from America telling of the birth of the new baby. As if this news were not bad enough, the father, unconscious of the resentment he had awakened, announced his intention of returning at once to Japan with his wife, the new baby, and his two young step-children, for he had married a young American widow.

The children’s faces wore a frightened expression as the grandmother read the letter aloud. Little Plum Blossom glanced stealthily at her brother; then suddenly, to the surprise of them all, she spoke up:

“Well,” said she, “Daikoku [god of fortune] is good. He has given us another sister. I shall make him a great offering this year.”

Iris, who was a mere echo of her sister, ventured a little sing-song assent.

“I shall make a big offering, too.”

Taro grinned apprehensively in the direction of his moody brother; then said, defiantly:

“As for me, I shall beat every single day of the honorable year that barbarian step-brother”; for there was a little step-brother of the same age as Taro, and the latter, boylike, longed to try his powers upon him.