CHAPTER XI
A STUDENT PRINCE
The Imperial Hotel afforded the travelers every conceivable luxury,perfect service, and cosmopolitan meals. Dulcie found her room a bowerof flowers. She had her personal maid, a demure, slant-eyed littlething. Little Kamani did not seem to sense any handicap in the fact thatneither could speak the other's language. Smiles made easy contact.
Very early the following morning, the lobby was filled withimportant-looking Japanese, all in immaculate European clothes. Only intheir homes, or on very special state occasions, do the modern Japanesewear the beautiful kimonas of the old regime. Many of the men presentwere members of the Imperial household.
As Dulcie stood talking to Doctor Trigg, Wally joined them.
"Well, Dulcie, how do you like this crazy country? The people--aren'tthey a riot? And they take themselves so seriously, too."
"Keep still, Wally!" said Dulcie, hotly. "I think you are perfectlyinexcusable, the way you air your views."
"They don't understand," said Wally carelessly. "Sort of half-witted,anyhow."
At that moment a young Japanese who was standing directly behind Wallyturned to look at him. As he did so, he saw Doctor Trigg. A look ofamazement flickered across his placid countenance. He stepped quicklyaround the group, and with an apologetic bow to Dulcie, hastened to thedoctor with outstretched hands.
"Doctor Trigg!" he exclaimed in fluent English. "Well, well, what do youthink of this? Fortune attends me!" He shook the doctor's hands, andalmost embraced him. "Surely you remember me?"
"I most certainly do," exclaimed Doctor Trigg. "Well, my dear boy, thiscertainly is a delightful reunion. Of course I haven't forgotten you!"He turned to Dulcie. "Let me present to you one of my old and mostpromising students." He hesitated. "What's your title over here, Hata?Prince, I believe?"
The Prince bowed deeply to Dulcie.
"Mr. Cram, Prince Hata."
Again the Prince bowed; but this time it was a haughty salutation, andhis black eyes regarded the smiling countenance before him curiously. Heturned abruptly to Doctor Trigg.
"You came in the Moonbeam, I take it, sir. How delightful! I havealready paid compliments of day to your distinguished young captain. Doplease consider yourself most particularly my guest during your stay;and Miss Hammond, if she will be so gracious, must meet my honoredmother and my sisters. And you must see something of our Tokio; not thismake-believe Paris, but the old city. For it still exists, hidden away.And I have a million questions to ask you, Doctor Trigg, aboutPrinceton."
"Doctor Sims is in the party, too," said the professor.
"Truly, this is the happy day of fulfilled desires!" exclaimed thePrince.
Wally broke into the conversation. Here was a prince! He had heard thatthe Japanese nobility were very exclusive. What an incident to tell backhome! Doc calling him "my dear boy," too, and patting him on the back.It was time he asserted himself.
"I'm a Princeton man, too," he said, smiling ingratiatingly.
Prince Hata looked at him pleasantly. His face did not change, his voicewhen he spoke was gentle and courteous.
"Indeed!" he said, but Wally felt as though a sizable pail of ice waterhad been dumped over him.
"Where is the dear doctor?" Hata asked, turning to the older man. "Doeshe still roar horribly? Such a bluff! And does he still collect--what isit? Oh, yes, epitaphs. I will make him very happy. We have somewonderful ones near the temple on my father's estate. Shall we go andfind him?" He turned, and they started out. Wally pressed close to theyoung nobleman, but at the door Hata faced him, and bowed.
"Good-bye," he said distinctly. "It may be that we shall meet again." Heturned and joined the others, who had gone forward.
Walter Cram gazed after the trim, dignified little figure. He felt thehot flush of mortification in his face. The darned Jap! he had heardevery word he had said in the lobby. He wondered if the chauffeur of thenight before had also understood English. There was the big car waitingat the curb. Wally's curiosity drove him on. He crossed the sidewalk andspoke to the driver.
"Are you detailed to look after our party today?" he asked.
"Yes, sir, for the duration of your stay," came the instant answer inperfect English.
Wally turned and went into the hotel. He found his way to the men'slounge, and to a big wing chair in a corner. There he sat and thought,cursing himself for his breaks.
Prince Hata and the two old men talked of the days, only two or threeyears back, when Hata had been at Princeton. It had not occurred toeither of them that they might see this former pupil, and here theywere, walking slowly up and down, arm in arm. But here the two who hadbeen teachers, and therefore in authority, were the guests, and Hata,talking fast, was planning all sorts of wonderful entertainments forthem.
Prince Hata and his two old teachers started gaily off to look attemples and jade and epitaphs. Hata had even remembered epitaphs! Theywould have a grand time, and it was easy to see that Prince Hata washungry to hear all about Princeton.
Dulcie found her father and David in close consultation in the readingroom, while near the door half a dozen Japanese officers waitedpatiently for the conversation to end. This was no place for Dulcie. Shewent down to the lobby again and found Red, scarcely recognizable inwhite suit and shoes, his coppery hair painstakingly flat, his eyesbluer than ever.
"Well, I certainly am glad to see you!" Dulcie exclaimed, dragging himtoward two big chairs in a corner. "Such a time!" and she told him aboutWally and the Prince.
"Honestly, Miss Hammond, that lad makes me just sick with disgust, butwhat can be done? There's no chance to lock him up, and there's no usewarnin' him to keep a civil tongue in his head, because he just don'tknow when he's insultin'. Gosh, what do you suppose he said and did atFriedrichshafen, when no one was with him? I dunno, but I bet it wasawful. And he speaks good German, so he could make all his friendlycomments as clear as sea-water, and as bitter."
"Well, I'm too ashamed for words," said Dulcie. "Last night in the car Iknow that chauffeur understood what he said. These people are soperfectly and beautifully polite; so gentle, and self-effacing, and yetso efficient. You must meet Prince Hata, Red. He simply oozesaristocracy, yet Doctor Trigg hugged him and called him his dear boy,and now he's taken them off to find old jade and tombstones. And thatman last night who put us in the car. He never smiled when dear DoctorTrigg spouted his Japanese at him. He was so proud of his Japanese and,Red, he had looked at the wrong line in the book! He thought he said'Good-night, and thank you', but he had said, 'You have stolen the riceof my father'!"
"God love him!" cried Red, after a shout of laughter. "He said that, didhe?"
"Yes, and the man just smiled politely and bowed."
"Well, Wally is just the cross we'll have to bear, Miss Hammond."
"We won't worry over him, at any rate," Dulcie replied. "I've a grandmorning ahead of me. I'm going to take Kamani, my little maid, and aninterpreter, and lots of money, and we are going shopping. Imagine it!Shopping in Tokio!"
"It looks just like New York to me," said Red, "except for the people."
"Not where we are going. We are going to explore. Here they come now.Good-bye!"
"Good luck!" said Red. He went off to find David, and met him comingdown the grand staircase.
"How about a drive, Red?" he called as soon as he caught sight of him."I'm free for the rest of the morning, and we might see something of thecity."
"Fine!" agreed Red. "I believe that the car that brought Miss Hammondand the professors in last night is assigned to us."
"Good!" cried David.
They located the car, and found the same young driver at the wheel.
"You speak English, of course?" David said, his candid eyes smiling.
"Yess, sir."
"I thought so," David said. "Well, how about a drive this morning? Weare crazy to see the city, and I bet you can tell us all about it."
"It wil
l be to me a great happiness," the young Japanese answered.
"Come on then, Red; we're off!" They hopped in and the car startedsmoothly away.
A short distance from the hotel, their driver called to a youth who wasstanding at the curb. They conversed in a chopped sibilant jargon, thenthe driver asked permission to take on another driver, so that hehimself might be free to designate and explain points of interest.
"Of course," said David. "And you had better come over in back so youwon't have to shout."
He came readily enough and sat on one of the little folding seats, withmany apologies for occupying a place in front of them.
Then began such a story of Japan and of Tokio that the past lived andthe present blossomed for them. The Japanese, he said, had never been aroving people. They did not live by conquest. Japan's rulers are wellbeloved, guiding their industrious subjects with kindly wisdom, as theyforge ahead in agriculture and the arts on a high plane of civilization.Centuries ago, while all the rest of the world was new and racked byconflict, civil and foreign, the Japanese were taught to read and write.
They drove through miles of streets as modern as the newest of Americancities. Block after block of beautiful office buildings and shops withgreat windows full of the most up-to-date gowns and Paris ties, socks,and shirts. Snappy gloves laid over correct walking sticks that wouldhave been a credit to the most exclusive Fifth Avenue shop. There weremagnificent banks; and movie houses everywhere.
"How big is this place, anyhow?" Red demanded at length.
"They say it is a good bit bigger than Philadelphia," said David. "AndPhilly is some town, you know."
It was strange indeed to see on all sides such perfect order andco-operation in a land so crowded that it was impossible to spare roomfor the domestic animals, the horses and cows so common to the rest ofthe world.
Their guide dwelt upon the thousands of students, men and women, who hadgone abroad to be educated, and to absorb new and advanced ideas, untilJapan in her stupendous mental growth had supplied her people withuniversities and technical schools of their own. He showed themsilkworms on their trays in warm rooms, endlessly eating the mulberryleaves heaped about them. They saw skeins of queer raw silk, and weregiven a strand for a souvenir.
Then they went down to the wharves; and saw the agile little fishermenon their slow-moving boats.
"Those boats look nice and peaceful," said Red, staring at a dark,sullen ship.
"Their dreadnaughts, over at Yokohama, are not so peaceful. They have tohave 'em for protection," said David. "All countries have to haveprotective navies."
"They sure looked as though they could protect, all right."
"We will try to go to Yokohama," said the guide, "but not today. Notplenty enough time."
Driving a little way beyond the city, they saw tiny farms, perhaps twoand a half acres in extent, all under the most intensive cultivation. Onthe way back they entered the old part of the city, where they sawtemples lovely as dreams. They went through small shops, where men weredecorating exquisite pieces of porcelain, painting on silk, or carvingprecious stones, ivory, and teak.
"Take me home," moaned David at last, as he paid for just one morepurchase. "I mustn't buy another thing."
"But they are so cheap," murmured Red, arranging a whole procession oftiny elephants and regarding them with fascinated eyes. "I've a notionour lad here keeps a critical eye on the price tags. These storekeepersare always castin' eyes at him."
"Well, take your elephants, and let's go. I know you are going to buythem."
"This has been simply great," David told their guide when they arrivedat their hotel. "I never had a better time in my life. Thanks a lot. Iwish you would tell us your name."
The young man hesitated. "It iss most hard to speak it, that name," hesaid, "but in your America, iss not Bill the often name of thechauffeur?"
The boys laughed.
"Yeah, it's American, all right," said Red.
"All right, Bill," said David as he shook the young man's hand heartily."Whatever you say goes. Thanks a whole lot for the ride, and everything.Gee, it's been wonderful!"
In the lobby they found Mr. Hammond waiting, as the Moonbeam peopledrifted in by twos and threes. The last to appear was Prince Hata,piloting his two professors. Doctor Trigg was wreathed in smiles. DoctorSims, looking almost sprightly, clutched his precious notebook and asmall parcel.
"Well, well, here's our pretty girl!" said Doctor Trigg, smiling atDulcie. "Thanks to Hata, here, we have had a wonderfulmorning--wonderful. If we were obliged to leave Japan now, at once, Ishould still feel repaid for the journey. Our old pupil has done so muchfor us," he patted the Prince fondly.
"It would be many times impossible for me or mine to do enough for you,sir. I was such a stupid boy, and you both were so always patient."
"Tut, tut, Hata, you always had a very retentive mind. Well, MissDulcie, I saw a little trinket, which Hata secured for me, and I havebrought it to you. I want you to accept it with an old man's affection."
"Ha--grr-r-r-r-r, same here!" said Doctor Sims, dropping his parcel intoDulcie's lap.
She opened the quaint worn metal cases. In each nestled a jewel ofpurest jade; a necklace from Doctor Trigg, and from Doctor Sims abracelet. Dulcie had never seen anything quite so lovely.
"Oh, you dears, you shouldn't have done it," she sighed, broodinglovingly over the jewels.
"Mere trifles," said Doctor Sims. "I think Hata, here, beat theshopkeepers down."
Prince Hata smiled. "They received their price," he assured them. "Quitemost satisfactory."
Dulcie looked at him suspiciously. She knew a little about jade. But thedark face was bland and impassive. After all, whatever Hata had done, hehad done to give happiness to his two old friends. Dulcie rallied adiplomacy equal to his own. "They are perfect," she said. "And I loveyou both for them. I shall keep them all my life, and remember how Icame by them, and what they mean."
"We have a most old saying in Japan, Miss Hammond," said Prince Hata."'The jewel is never so lovely as the wearer.' I mourn that I shall notsee you again today except in my capacity as official. There is a gardenparty to stroll into this afternoon, and tonight enters a great dinner.Afterwards an entertainment for the officers and crew. You might enjoyto go. It is permissible. The Geisha girls will dance.
"Tomorrow, Miss Hammond, I do trust that you will graciously allow mymother to receive you. She is unfortunately unable to leave her home. Ifyou would so benevolently come to her?"
"I would love to," cried Dulcie.
"Thank you. Then I will so arrange, and send you word." He made hiscordial, graceful farewells and departed.
"Well, Prince Hata's mother must be a princess," mused Dulcie.
"She is the Emperor's aunt," said Doctor Trigg, absently.
"Aunt!" cried Dulcie. "Aunt! Then Prince Hata is the Emperor's cousin!"
"Quite likely," said Doctor Trigg. "I say, Sims, those manuscripts Hatashowed us--"
"Oh, what have I let myself in for!" cried Dulcie, interrupting. "Idon't know how to behave before emperors' aunts."
"Pshaw!" laughed Mr. Hammond. "Don't forget that you yourself are theheir of the ages."
"Certainly!" said Doctor Trigg. "Besides, she is a very agreeable oldlady. A trifle ceremonious, but very agreeable. We dropped in thismorning."
"To see the Princess?" demanded Dulcie.
"Yes," said Doctor Trigg. "Unofficially, of course, unofficially. Theold lady does not give audiences to men as a rule, but we were her son'steachers, you see, and she seemed to have an idea that she wanted tothank us personally for the attention we had given him during his courseat Princeton. Hata took us to the palace to see some manuscripts. Sheheard we were there, so she sent word for us to drop in and see her."
"Simple, like that," murmured Dulcie. "They just dropped in!"
Mr. Hammond laughed.
"By the way, Dulcie, did you know that Mr. Hamilton has left us? He hadto get back to Paris by the quickest ro
ute. He's flying to Baku, then toMoscow, then straight over. He has to attend a big directors' meeting oftheir Paris house."
"What a shame!" cried Dulcie. "Goodness, daddy, I'm glad you aren't abig business man. It's no wonder they get 'tired', is it?" she addedwickedly.