University of Virginia Library

XIII. L'Envoi.

And now I have told you all there is to tell of those dear ones, whom I have loved in my day. Maybe when I started out to prattle and gossip of the fleeting memories of the past, I intended to tell you of others besides those who came nearest to my own heart, but like most old people my mind will run constantly to those I love most, and whose lives I have played a larger part in. Others have come and gone before me—many a love story, tragedy and comedy, of one chapter only, have I been the silent witness of, among those who flashed but once into my life and then passed out. Of the ones I have told you, I picked up the threads of their careers and because they were dear to my heart, how could I forget them?

I am old, so very, very old now, and slowly but surely I am going to pieces. You see, my master overrated my strength and that ride Koto took in me all the way to Tokyo and back with her lover, practically ruined my health for the rest of my days. There is nought in my life to-day that I can cry out against. The gods have seen fit to indeed bestow all good blessings on me in my old age. I am surrounded by those I love most on earth. I serve the descendents of my beloved master of the past. Furthermore, I know that when my bones (pardon an old jinrikisha's conceit in referring to his parts thuswise) shall fall apart, they will not be vulgarly scattered, but gathered together with great reverence and care, for am I not beloved by my dear master and his gentle wife? They always hold that I am partially responsible for their happiness, as it was through me they first met.

* * *

They are very happy, these two. The gods have smiled on them also, and blessed them with a truly wonderful man- child. This is the greatest of the gods' gifts—a little child. The child bears an odd name, that is, odd for a Japanese child. “Philip” is its first name, after its new uncle. The child in no way looks American; when it shall grow to years of understanding it will question the honorable meaning of its name, as all Japanese children do, and its parents will answer, “The name means all that is good and true,” for so are they pleased to regard their august brother-in-law.

The child pleases me much, and I fain[19] would talk of him also, but I am feeble and tired—tired of talking of others. Mayhap had I spoken only of myself there would have been no ending to this, for what subject can be found to interest oneself more than that of oneself?

And now, methinks, I am launching out and talking somewhat unnecessarily; whereas I promised in the beginning not to dwell on myself, and so I pray your august pardons, and offer no apology save that of my extreme old age.

My beloved master has entered the room now. He is standing by my side, resting one hand tenderly on my calash- top. He notes that I am weary, and in spite of all the outer dressing and finery he has been pleased to bestow on me, I am surely losing my strength and health. My heart is, however, warmed with the gentleness and tenderness of his glance and the touch of his hands.

“Poor old jinrikisha,” he is saying to his little wife, who has come in also, “see how shaky it is getting. Alas, I am afraid we can no longer repair it. This is lamentable, for I have indeed learned to love it. I know not why, save perhaps that it brought me you, ane- san. There always was something warm and good and inviting about it, moreover. The old thing looks as if it had a soul.”