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HOW THE JAPANESE MAKE CHINESE INK. 89
"Pooh!" said Fitz. "It is not bashfulness, it is ill temper."
They easily found the street and the shop of a man named
Maru-naka, who came out to welcome them and saluting Oto,
said:
" How is my little "
boy, honorable doctor?
*
Tsuna is progressing finely, and will be home with you in
a week or so," answered the young man. " He is most patient
and everybody likes him very much. I have brought my
friends, for you to show them how you make Indian ink. I
suppose you have no objection to doing so."
The manufacturer sucked in his breath, bowed and said:
f
There is nothing I would not do for the honorable Doctor
Nambo. Please come in, and I will explain everything to
your friends."
They slipped off their shoes, and stepping upon the matted
floor of the front shop, squatted in Japanese fashion. Maru-
naka offered Oto a light for his pipe and ordered a boy to
bring his visitors some tea.
"Why do you put on your sign f
Manufacturer of fine Nara
ink?' " asked Johnnie.
The man smiled, bowed and said:
" What are the names of the two principal cities in Amer-
ica?"
"New York is our chief city," answered Fitz; "but the
name of the next depends on where you come from. A Bos-
ton boy says Boston. A Philadelphian gives the name of his
own city, and a Chicago lad does the same."
The man regarded him wiih a puzzled air, then said:
"We will suppose that your best ink is made in New
York."
"It is not," returned Fitz.
"We will suppose it is," gently repeated the man. "Now,