Page:Sidnay McCall--The dragon painter2.djvu/271

 broke forth, with an effort. "I make request now that you go with me, this very day, at twilight."

"If it is your honorable desire," said Tatsu, bowing in indifferent acquiescence. A moment later he had finished his meal, and rose to go.

Kano moved restlessly on the mats. He drew out the solace of a little pipe, but his nervous fingers fumbled and shook so, that the slim rod of bamboo tipped with silver escaped him, and went clattering down among the empty dishes of the tray. Mata's apprehensive face showed instantly at a parting of the kitchen fusuma. She sighed aloud, as she noted a great triangle chipped from the edge of an Imari bowl. Only two of those bowls had remained; now there was but one.

"Tatsu, my son, may I depend upon you? This day, as soon as the light begins to fail?"

Tatsu, in the doorway, paused to look.