"They won't lose much if it's blown away," thought Billie. "There's not a
stick of furniture to be seen except a screen."

In one corner of the room was a splendid vase almost as tall as she was,
and on the wall hung a scroll showing two women gathering cherry
blossoms. On the floor were soft mats fitted closely together.

Suddenly Billie blushed scarlet.

"Oh, Cousin Helen," she exclaimed. "We forgot to take off our shoes."

"Don't speak to me," answered her relation. "My legs have gone to sleep
and I have lost the power to move them. I am in an agony of pain."

At this moment a figure darkened the doorway. The three Japanese women
rose and bowed low and the servants made obeisances. The five Americans
were amazed to recognize their friend of yesterday, Yoritomo Ito. He was
quite as amazed as they were, although he did not show it except by the
flick of an eyelash, because no well-bred Japanese ever shows surprise.

"How do you do, Mr. Ito?" cried Miss Campbell. "Is it possible that this
is your house we have broken into so rudely?"

It was indeed Mr. Ito's home, and, the three ladies were his mother, his
aunt and his sister.

"It is a great pleasure, I am sure, that you have found refuge in my
home. I trust they have served you well."