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behind, and falls in a neat fold about half a yard from the waist. These young ladies are chatting together so lively about their beaux, perhaps, that they do not even glance at us, while behind them are following two little girls, or moosmies, about eight years old, and evidently sisters. I notice that their shoes, or pattens, are highly polished with; lacquer round the sides, and the sandals by which they are held by the toes to the foot are neatly covered with red velvet. Their eyes are black and sparkling with fun, and they are really very attractive and pretty. In passing one of them looked at us who were watching her so closely, and made some remark to her sister, which pleased them immensely. Perhaps they were laughing at our funny looking European dress and hands covered with gloves, which by them are never worn.
But here comes very important person age, in his own estimation. He is Yaconin and a government employee. He puts on much the same airs as persons sometimes assume in civilized lands when “dressed in a little brief authority.” His rank is shown by the two swords, one very long and one short, which are stuck through his girdle. His wide trousers are made of silk, which can only be worn by men of his rank; his tunic is semi-European in cut, a sort of Raglan. He wears no hat and has adopted the innovation of letting his hair grow like a foreigner. His countenance shows that he is proud and overbearing. It is likely that he can be genial in his manner toward his equals, but the common people surrounding him in the street, honest, industrious and polite, as they are, he regards as scum. The tradesman here bows very low to an officer, and should he meet a Daimio, or one of higher [errata 1], the officer bows as low in turn. Such is the custom of the country. The Yaconin glances at us, but we look him square in the eye without flinching, as an “American sovereign” should, and he bows politely, which we return with equal civility.
As we walk back a group of little urchins, street performers, wearing caps decorated with feathers, run in front of us, turning somersaults, walking on their hands with feet in the air, trundling along like cart-wheels, and performing a variety of gymnastic exercises creditable to a well trained circus troupe. They keep alongside of us for several squares, and we can
- ↑ Correction: should be amended to rank
