AFTER A JAPANESE DINNER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7301, 5 January 1904, Page 2

AFTER A JAPANESE DINNER.

_ — « " THE HAIR OF THE DOG THAT BIT HIM." "Three Rolling Steaes in Japan" (Arnold) is an account of a tour made by Mr Gilbert Watson and two friends. Among the incidents described is a dinner given by Jiutei, hotel proprietor at Osaka. Jiutei was carried to bed almost helpless. Next morning he was found behind the pttntry door. ' He had a red handkerchief bound round his head^ which fonnedl a 'bright contrast with the sallow yellows and green of his unwholesome complexion. In popular language, he was indulging in "a hair of the dog that 'bit him." He sandled in a feeble, sickly manner when he saw me t wriggled uncomfortably, tried to hide a black bottle behind him, and said — " Good morning. Little water of soda very oful jolee drink." I, inquired after our friends of the previous evening. He sniggered feebly. " Fust class— all right. Gone home in rickshas at peeps of day., Much pains in heads, and much little waters of soda. Most 'musing.'/ "Did they take it neat?" I asked, trying to catch a glimpse of the black 'bottle behind his back. "Neat? Oh, no — go home very dirty." "I mean they didn't mix, did th'sy?" « N — Q. f " he said dubiously, oiling his unshaven chin with the palm of has disengaged hand. "No; tihey drive home ten, ricksha. '* Waa Jiute-i .abnormally stupid, or was (he only abnormally clever? I determined to find out. " Isn't tha,t rather heavy?" I asked sympathetically. "Eh? How say?" " Doesn't it make your left hand ache?" " Left hand?" inquired Jiutei, examining 3bie right hand as tenderly as if "it were developing a new disease. "I mean the bottle bdiind your back." He saw the game was lost, but the way he played the losing card was magnificent. "Bottle I" he repeated, incredulously, slowly bringing it into sight. <. "So it is — a- black bottle.! Most 'musring. Must have been cleaning him.!" and he began to polish it gently with bis coat-sleeve. I