FORE:They returned to Kioto, and proceeded without delay to Kobe. They found the railway journey much more rapid than the one by jin-riki-sha, but it had the demerit of carrying them so fast that very little could be seen of the country. The day after their arrival at Kobe the steamer was ready to take them to Nagasaki and Shanghai, and at the appointed hour they went on board. Practically, they had finished their sight-seeing in Japan, as they were not to break the journey until setting[Pg 302] foot on Chinese soil. They left it with the most agreeable recollections, and the boys, as they stood on the deck of the steamer slowly moving out of the harbor of Kobe, simultaneously asked the question,
FORE:I think so. As you said to me the other day, sir, good work is always cheap in comparison with bad work.THE GOLDEN GATE. THE GOLDEN GATE.
FORE:"Well, then, I sha'n't try. I do know one thing more; heard it yesterday. Like to hear it?"Yes, dear, that is what I always tried to teach you, she said, when you were children; just as my mother taught me. Im sure I told you all every day not to talk with your mouths full or when anybody else is talking. If we all talked together there would be a fine noise, to be sure, and nobody a bit the wiser. I took a great deal of trouble about your manners, and Im sure it was not thrown away, for I consider youve all got very good manners, even John, when he chooses. Talking of that (This phrase meant nothing in Mrs Keelings mouth), I noticed Mr Silverdale in church. He seemed to me to have a hungry kind of look. I dare say his housekeeper is very careless{11} about his meals, not having a wife. I hope he will make a good meal this evening. Perhaps it would be safer, dear, if you refused the salmon mayonnaise, as you are not so very fond of it. Mrs Bellaway would have it that there was plenty, but she has such a small appetite herself.
THREE:"Good-night," she responded, very musically, but as if from a great distance.
THREE:Turn away thine eyes, maiden passing fair. O maiden passing fair, turn away thine eyes!"Well, you needn't; I was in the wrong. Smith, will you say to Gholson--" His voice dropped to a strictly private rumble.
