University of Virginia Library

The Wedding-Day

Early this morning, Madame Summer found my flowers. I threw myself prostrate at her feet, just as if she were my almighty mistress, instead of my servant. She raised me up tenderly, and tried to console me. I clung hysterically to my flowers.

“If you take them from me, Madame Summer, I will kill you, and sell your soul to some wicked fiend in a horrible pass to Hades.”

She wrested the flowers from my hands, despite my threats and entreaty. Then, she threw them out of the window.

“Wild girl!” she said; “you will ruin yourself!”

Downstairs, in the presence of my august stepfather, I tried to summon all my hereditary courage and filial obedience to his commands. But, as he spoke to me in his kindest voice, I kept saying to myself, over and over again:

“Now, Ido has just found the flowers; he has just picked them up!”

“You will be a great lady,” said my stepfather.

“Maybe, he is weeping,” I thought.

“And you must not forget your honorable parents.”

“Perhaps, he is cursing me.” And, at this thought, I all but fainted as I kept bowing my assents to my stepfather.

“Dear my honorable parent, will you permit me to pluck with my own hands a little bunch of flowers in a field only a short distance away?”

“Have your own wish in all things to-day,” said my stepfather, graciously.

I tried to stay my wild feet, which were longing to fly from his sight immediately. I felt faint as I reached the little gate; but, when it banged to behind me all my courage returned. I told myself that I was the daughter of a long line of brave men, notable for their fearlessness and courage. Should I, then, not be worthy of them?

Where was Ido? That was my next thought.

Ah, I could see him slowly climbing the hill, his flowers hanging sadly in his hand.

I ran like the wind after him, and I called, panting as I ran:

“Ido! Ido!”

He turned, and, like a flash, his pale face grew suddenly luminous.

"Anata!" (Thou!)

“The flowers!” My breath failed me.

“Ah, you have returned them again?” he inquired, sadly.

“No, no, no, dear Ido!” I cried, frantically. “Give them to me! I must have them! Don't you know, Ido? My august stepfather is marrying me to-day to Shinobu Taro, whom I hate and loathe. I have come to you--”

“Ah-h-h!” he said, slowly; “I understand now.” His serious face lighted up. “Dewdrop,” he whispered, “yesterday, I purchased a ticket on the steamer Belgic, against the event of your refusing me. Will you go with me now to America?”

“To the end of the world, and beyond!” I said.