Jane Gray exasperated me to the verge of hysteria, but her sure, simple faith had built a hospital and changed the criminal record of a city.  The thought that she might be right, in spite of the circular and Kobu, gave me so much comfort that the tears flowed unchecked.

My companion looked at me critically for a moment, then left the room.  She returned shortly bearing a heaped-up tray, which she arranged before me.  “Honey, you can’t be hopeful when you are hungry.  You told me so yourself.  I don’t believe you’ve eaten since morning.  Here’s just a little bite of turkey and mince pie and chicken salad.  Eat it.  There’s plenty more, for nobody’s touched that big dinner we were going to celebrate Page’s new position with.  Now turn around to the lamp so you can see.  What a funny fat shadow you make!  But how sweet it is to know if we keep our faces to the light the shadows are always behind us!  Now I must run and get a little sleep.  Zura says I am to go on watch at three.”

I thought her gone, when the door opened again and I could see only her gray head and bright, though tired face.  “Miss Jenkins, please don’t let that layer cake fool you.  It is not tough.  I just forgot to take the brown papers from the bottom of the layers when I iced them.  Do as I tell you, eat and sleep.”

    “What if to-morrow’s care were here
      Without its rest? 
    I’d rather He’d unlock the day
    And, as the hours swing open, say,
      ‘Thy will be best.’”

“Good-night, dear friend.”

Then she was gone.  The tables were turned in more ways than one.  Jane was counselor and I the counseled, she the comforter and I to be comforted.

* * * * *

In the daughters of Japan lies a hidden quality ever dormant unless aroused by a rough shake from the hand of necessity; it is the power to respond calmly and skilfully to emergencies.  In this, as never before, Zura Wingate declared her Oriental heritage.  On the tragic morning when I had gone with Page to the Kencho I had left her a singing, joyous girl, her feet touching the borderland of earth’s paradise.  I returned and found her a woman, white lipped and tense, but full of quiet command.  The path to love’s domain had been blocked by a sorrow which threatened desolation to happiness and life.  Not with tears and vain rebellion did she protest against fate or circumstances, nor waste a grain of energy in useless re-pinings.  With the lofty bearing her lordly forefathers wore when going forth to defeat or victory this girl stood ready, and served so efficiently that both nurse and doctors bestowed their highest praise when they told her she was truly a Japanese woman.

So frequent were the demands from household and sick-room that I feared for her strength.  I knew she suffered.  Rigid face muscles and dark-rimmed eyes so testified; but aside from these some tireless spirit held her far above weariness.  Alert to see and quick to perform, under her hand, after a few days, the house settled down into a routine where each member had a special duty.  In turn we watched or waited while the heavy, anxious days dragged themselves along until they numbered ten.