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232
THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
inn, the front of which was shaded by a magnificent wistaria,
and the roof covered with a growth of irises that found moist-
ure for their roots among the decaying thatch.
On beholding the travellers, the landlady said to some
coolies who were seated on a bench under the tree, " Come
out of that. Don't you see the honorable foreigners want your
place?"
"Please do not disturb yourselves," said the Professor, "we
will go indoors."
" The flies will eat you up if you do," answered the woman,
adding to the men, "Move yourselves, and bring two or three
benches. Do not stare in that absurd fashion. Have you
never before seen honorable foreigners?"
The coolies did as they were commanded, grumbling all
the time like children.
Notwithstanding the apparent poverty of the place, the
cook served a very excellent repast; among other things, giv-
ing the new arrivals some broiled brook-trout.
While the} 7 were partaking of their meal, three men and a
boy, with their heads' shaven, approached the inn.
One of the strollers carried a pole on which was a lantern
surmounted by a fringed umbrella and a gohei, the former
bearing the inscription, " Sumt yoshi odori"
"Those are dancers from Sumi-yoshi," said Mrs. Nambo.
"Now you will see something very interesting."
The performers halted, rested the pole of their lantern on
the ground and commenced to howl a dismal chant, one of
them keeping time to the din by striking the staff with two
pieces of stick, while the boy gracefully advanced and retreated,
and waved his arms from right to left.
" Isn't his face painted ? " remarked Fitz.
'That is to make him look like a girl," said Mrs. Nambo.
"Does he not dance very beautifully?"