Page:Madame Butterfly; Purple eyes; A gentleman of Japan and a lady; Kito; Glory (1904).djvu/158

 "But—you lig escort me?"

"Of course," said Bob, gallantly.

"Then why you that sad? " Kohana-San pouted a moment, then dropped his arm.

"Go before, then, Mister Bashful Bob, an' I come behine, lig I jus' a slave, an' you a prince."

But Bob had already repented.

"In America it is ladies first."

He stood aside with the finest bow she had ever seen him make.

"Sa-ay," she said, with the confidence of a chum, "you not Bashful Bob."

"Yes, I am," groaned Bob.

"You not," insisted Kohana-San.

"I am. I 'm afraid of girls, and pretty fellows,—like your brother,—as well as speeches."

"Ah, yaes; but—you brave—an' strong; an' Ani-San is jus'—"

"Pretty?" said Bob, with distinct inward gratitude. "He could make that speech, too, and get enjoyment out of it, I suppose. I 'm in a perspiration."

"An' it is col' weather!" laughed his chum.

"Sa-ay, I will as' the Sun-Goddess to help us!"