Chapter 15 Summary

After three years at sea, with Manjiro away from Japan for two years, the John Howland arrives back in its home port in Massachusetts. Manjiro is enthralled with the new and exotic world that he knows as America. While he and the captain are walking through town, some boys make fun of him by slanting their eyes. A gentleman comes along and shoos the boys away so that they'll leave Manjiro alone.

When the captain returns with his purchases, he and Manjiro head to the captain's house. When they arrive, they find the house in ruins. The captain says that Itchy, one of the sailors, and his parents, the Akens, live next door. They stay with them. Manjiro overhears a conversation between the Akens and the captain about him setting up a farm and finding a wife and mother. the captain tells them...