Dolls of Hope Read Free Page B

seat. Chiyo clutched the side. This was not like the oxcart. This was much farther from the ground. The horse didn’t stand still like the patient ox, but shifted its feet, making the buggy tremble.
    Yamada-san clicked his tongue. The carriage jolted ahead, feeling even more fragile when it moved forward at a fast trot. What if they overturned on the uneven road?
    Again, she held tightly to Momo. Somehow, the buggy stayed upright and they continued down the mountain.
    Time became measured by the changing scene. The sun rose higher over the fast narrow stream that churned past her village. The stream gained strength from small waterfalls and side streams as they traveled lower, until finally it became a river. As the sun moved toward the west, the river spread into the long lake called Kasumigaura, its blue waters gleaming in the late-winter light. The very long ride was finally over.
    They traveled through streets that seemed to exist in a different world than the one Chiyo knew, one even larger and busier than she had expected. Yamada-san halted the horse beside a roofed gate with a plant-lined bamboo fence to either side. Freshly washed stepping-stones led across a landscaped yard to a long building where doorways opened onto an outside walkway. A series of tiled roofs rose one over another. She could see the roof of a taller building beyond and thought there must be a courtyard in the center.
    The fresh green scent of plants she didn’t recognize made her feel even farther from home. She swallowed hard, feeling as if the koi from ponds beyond the gate swam within her, nervously fluttering their fins.
    For the first time since a brief stop for a box lunch provided by his housekeeper, Yamada-san turned and spoke. “The day grows late. I must go on. Introduce yourself to Hanarai-sensei. He is in charge of the school and is expecting you.”
    The koi Chiyo imagined inside her stomach swam even faster. She was to enter this strange place without even Yamada-san to help her find her way.

S he tried to think. What would Miyamoto Hoshi do? That perfect girl would keep her face serene, Chiyo decided. Then she would ask someone where to find the headmaster.
    Yamada-san had not finished talking. “If you receive a good report from the school’s staff at the end of April, you may return home for your sister’s wedding in May. If not, you will stay here and work harder to improve.”
    “
I must go home for Masako’s wedding,” Chiyo exclaimed. “I promised.”
    Yamada-san’s eyes narrowed. “I would not expect to hear such an outburst from a student at this school.”
    Chiyo followed his glance toward a group of girls in a doorway, some in kimonos, others wearing dark skirts and blouses. All of them hurried along the walkway to another door. Her clothes were nothing like theirs, and despite Yamada-san’s warning, Chiyo said, “They may not like me.”
    “Liking is not important.” He climbed from the carriage and came around to lift her to the street. “You are here to learn. That is important. That is all that is important. Do you understand?”
    He was right. Bowing, she answered softly, “
Hai,
Yamada-san. I will work hard.”
    He indicated three girls in kimonos talking outside one of the rooms. “The taller girl on the right is Miyamoto Hoshi. Honor her with close attention. Shape your behavior after hers.”
    Chiyo studied the fashionable girl who even from this distance looked frighteningly different. Forcing doubts aside, she told herself she could not miss her sister’s wedding. Bowing, she murmured, “
Hai,
Yamada-san.”
    “Good.” He removed her bundle and floor cushion from the back, then handed her a small purse of red silk weighted with coins. “Go now.”
    “Arigatogozaimasu,”
she said, thanking him in surprise for his generosity. In her family, every sen had to be spent carefully. She had never before had even one of her own.
    Yamada Nori had scarcely spoken to her. He was leaving her alone