Take's

Mother and Grannie bathed Take's neck, and comforted her; and soon she was happy again and ready to go on with the play.

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

Although it was so early in the morning, the Mother had already put fresh flowers in the vase, in honor of Take's birthday.

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

Of course they were never, never allowed to play with fire, but because it was Take's birthday the Mother said, "Just this once I will sit here beside you and you may have three little charcoal-embers from the tobacco-ban to put in the stove."

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

She had played with them on her birthdays, and then Take's Mother had played with them on her birthdays, and still they were not broken or torn; they had been so well cared for.

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

Then Taro took a jay's feather which he had found in the garden the day before, and tickled Take's nose!

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

But just that minute Take's clog turned on her foot, and the first thing she knew she was flat on her stomach on the bridge!

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

He remembered Take's last birthday, and he remembered that boys seemed to be in the way that day.

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

Then the Father took the Baby in his arms and placed his tiny foot on Take's neck.

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

Taro's and Take's letters were very big and queer-looking, and the paper got so wet that the teacher said, "Children, you may all carry your copy-books outdoors and hang them up to dry, and you may eat your rice out of doors."

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

So he crept softly along the floor to Take's bed, and whispered in her ear, "Wake up, wake up!"

The Japanese Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901