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198
THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
I force the piston in, when, behold the delicacy rushes out in
silvery threads and falls into the bowl ready for you to eat."
He handed the vessel to Fitz, who, after tasting it, made a
grimace and said,
"Won't you have some, Sallie? It is salty."
"Not for me," she replied. "I never was fond of messes.
You had better give it to that small boy who is watching us
so intently."
They paid the man and walked on, leaving the child sucking
down the kan-ten in a manner that showed how highly he
appreciated it.
As they emerged through the lower gate, they saw a uye-
kiya (florist).
" Say," cried Fitz, "what has he in those pots?"
"Morning-glories," answered Oto. "He is persuading
that medical student to buy a few plants to adorn his room. I
know the fellow, he is an old hand at the business. I have
bought many a pot of flowers of him."
The purchaser, who was quite a dandy, wore a girl's sailor
hat perched on the top of his head and carried a cotton um-
brella in a very jaunty manner.
:r
Ten sen for that," he said, glancing scornfully down at
the uye-kiya, who squatted in a
"
respectful position. Do you
take me for a foreigner? I will not buy your rubbish."
The dealer sucked in his breath and said, in a satirical tone,
'Take you for a foreigner? No, indeed, I should never im-
agine such a thing. The honorable gentlemen-from-afar
always give me the price I ask, and do not squabble about a
few rin (mills)."
They left the student haggling with the florist, who, while
extolling his wares, did not hesitate to make many sly hits at
the expense of his customer.