when the disappearance is discovered. But the very inquiry that raises anxiety soon lulls it by revealing similar bereavements among the parents' particular friends. Then the financial accomplices to the deed, kindhearted neighbors, wheedled by the children into loaning them the necessary funds, come forward and own up, now that the borrowers are beyond recall. But, indeed, so soon as the cause of the flight is known, there would seem to be no thought of fetching back the fugitives. On the contrary, their act is deemed eminently praiseworthy, which strikes one as perhaps illogical. But religion covers a multitude of sins.
The parental heart is not set quite at rest, however, till other pilgrims returning from the shrine bring word of the waifs; one has met the little girls disembarking at Yokkaichi, another saw them at the Ise inn. All report the truants quite well and happy, as if children at mischief were ever otherwise. Then, with palpitations of pride, the parents make great preparations against their return. Elaborate these are, for honor enough, apparently, cannot be done the young scapegraces. Long before they can possibly arrive, their
