Page:Modern Japanese Stories.pdf/139

“Behave yourself, Setchan.” There was relief in her voice. The girl too raised herself from the bed.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

“I’m the one who should be asking that.”

“But you …”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Didn’t do anything. You screamed at me.”

“The way you stared. And your eyes were half closed.”

“You were already terrified,” said the girl. “You stopped reading and pulled your hand under the quilt. Don’t deny it.”

“You saw me, did you?”

“I thought we had robbers.”

“Don’t be silly. But what woke you up?”

“You called me.”

“I did not. Why should I call you?”

“You didn’t?”

“I didn’t.”

“Then I must have been dreaming.”

“It was a camellia. A camellia fell.”

“Don’t!” Again the girl threw herself on her aunt. “Don’t. Don’t. Don’t say such things.”

“Setchan, please. I’m surprised at you.”

“But why do you say such things?”

“What did I say to upset you? Look for yourself.”

“No, no, no.”

“Don’t be foolish, child. One of the camellias fell, and that’s what woke you up.”

“Oh?” At length the girl pulled her face away and looked timidly over her aunt’s shoulder toward the alcove. “Isn’t it awful? Bright red.”

“Red or white, it falls when its time comes. What if it is bright red?”

“It’s repulsive.”

“Suppose you throw it away, then.”

“I can’t. You throw it away.”

“It’s doing no harm. We can leave it till morning.”