The Japanese Lantern by Isobel Chace Page A

together again and she was no longer sure exactly where she was aiming for.
    Then suddenly all around her everyone began to chant. Again and again they sang out the same words until she began to be afraid and they took on some fearful meaning for her.
    “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo! Namu Myoho Reng e Kyo!”
    Someone smiled at her and thrust his lantern into her hands. It was square and mounted on a stick, with an umbrella-like decoration of flowers over it. She tried to thank him, but he had already disappeared.
    The chanting went on and on in the background. Breathlessly, she tried to make her way to one side of the forecourt. Then she thought she saw Edward and an instant later Mitchi Boko. Almost in tears she tried to get to them, but as soon as she reached the spot where she thought she had seen them, they had disappeared again.
    “Edward!” she called out, but her voice was lost amidst the chanting pilgrims.
    Hopelessly she looked about her, just as someone grabbed her by the arm and began to steer her out of the crowds. She tried to struggle, but there was no escape.
    “Hand me that mando!” a voice commanded her. “The lantern, Jonquil ! ”
    She gave it up reluctantly, knowing that it was Jason who had somehow appeared from nowhere to rescue her.
    “That’s better!” he said with satisfaction. “The car’s over on your right.”
    She allowed herself to be propelled towards it, becoming conscious of the ache in her arm where he held her.
    “Let me go,” she begged.
    He did so and she rubbed the tender spot resentfully. He held the light above her head and looked critically down at her.
    “You look about all in,” he said at last.
    “Well, I don’t feel it,” she said fiercely. “I was enjoying it all!”
    And then, quite suddenly, and much to her chagrin, she burst into tears.

 
    CHAPTER V
    Jason handed her a large, clean white handkerchief that she accepted w ith real gratitude.
    “I’m not crying ,” she informed him, not really seeing the difference herself, “it’s just that I was frightened. They went on and on saying exactly the same thing! D-did you see Edward?”
    In the flickering light from the lantern she couldn’t see his eyes, but his face looked stern . , I “No,” he said sternly. “I did not see Edward.”
    Jonquil didn’t like to press the point. She reached out and took her lantern back from him . “Someone gave it to me,” she explained. “It’s pretty, isn't it?”
    “Very,” he agreed. “If you get into the car, I’ll take you home.”
    “But Edward — ” she began to object.
    “Edward can see himself home. I’m not responsible for him and if he can’t look after you better he’s due for a bit of a fright!”
    Jonquil cast him a quick glance, but his face told her nothing.
    “I’m s-sorry to give you so much trouble,” she said coldly.
    He smiled at that.
    “That sounds much more like you,” he said with satisfaction. “Nice and polite, with a sting in its tail. Shall I put your mando in the boot, or are you going to nurse it?”
    Reluctantly she handed it over to him and watched him as he stowed it carefully away.
    “What were they saying?” she asked, sufficiently recovered to be curious.
    “Hail! The Sutra of the Lotus of the Wonder ful Law!”
    “ Oh ! ” She didn’t like to admit that she wasn’t very much wiser. “It was beautiful anyway.
    Jason gave her a slightly cynical look. “Yes, he was batting on a safe enough wicket taking you to the Oeshiki. I should imagine he ’ s pretty practised in that sort of thing. A little flattery, a pretty scene — and almost any girl. Don’t be taken in too easily, my sweet, you ’ll find his type all over the East.”
    “And was that what brought you out this evening?” she asked stiffly.
    “That’s right,” he agreed.
    “Then you needn’t have bothered!” she told him with a spurt of anger. “Just because you happen to have decided that I’m young and—inexperienced, it doesn’t mean