"I beg your pardon; I 'm—I am—ready—" said the consul, roughly. He made no other explanation. "Proceed."
"I should like you to send this telegram: 'Just saw the baby and his nurse. Can't we have him at once? He is lovely. Shall see the mother about it to-morrow. Was not at home when I was there to-day. Expect to join you Wednesday week per Kioto Maru. May I bring him along? Adelaide.'"
As she advanced and saw Cho-Cho-San, she stopped in open admiration.
"How very charming—how lovely—you are, dear! Will you kiss me, you pretty—plaything!"
Cho-Cho-San stared at her with round eyes—as children do when afraid. Then her nostrils quivered and her lids slowly closed.
"No," she said, very softly.
"Ah, well," laughed the other, "I don't blame you. They say you don't do that sort of thing—to women, at any rate. I quite forgive our men for falling in love with you. Thanks for permitting me to interrupt you. And, Mr. Sharpless, will you get that off at once? Good day!"
She went with the hurry in which she had
