what are you thinking about?” – Lykov took Tikhon by the hand and looked into his eyes. – I will tell you that there is a lot of disorderly and, of course, there are abuses. Eye and eye need. Between us, the fortress is built slowly…
Twilight was gathering. In the east the sky darkened. The wind ran. Lights flashed on the ships. A huge cloud caught on Mount Samson, hanging in white gills in a ravine. The Kwangtung Mountains shrouded in a dark yellow haze. The noise in the city subsided.
Tikhon did not recognize the living room. It was decorated with paper lanterns and light Japanese screens. In the middle of the room on the carpet was a table with low legs. Lykov lay down on the pillows. Sasha-san met Podkovina with a low bow:
– Sit down. We will eat in Japanese.
– Now let’s drink as it should. Do not refuse. Ryabinovka invigorates only, you can not get drunk with it, – said Lykov.
The rooms were quiet. Podkovin enjoyed eating long noodles, round, like pasta, called “udon” in Japanese, and “skiyaki” – especially delicious cooked chicken meat.
– Japanese women have a subtle treatment. No whims, no requirements. And what cleaners!..
Tikhon looked into the eyes of a Japanese woman. Her eyelids lifted only for a moment.
– Frankly, I did not imagine that there are such beauties in Japan.
The owner burst into loud laughter.
– They are there to hell and for every taste. When a Japanese commissioner came to me on this “women’s issue”, I told him: first, slender and tall, second, oblong face and small mouth, third, straight and narrow nose, fourth, not to cheekbones… Writing down my requirements, the Japanese man said through clenched teeth: “good”, and ten days later, on the threshold of my house, I saw beautiful Sasha-san. As you can see, the order was executed exactly. Here with the acquisition of the hostess is very simple… Stay! We will find the case. And you are under the contract.
– Under the contract?
– Wonderful custom. Signed a paper for a year or two – and live. Sasha-san is very cheap for me: two hundred forty rubles a year. And for ten thousand yen I won’t give it up. Isn’t it Sasha?
The Japanese woman smiled and slightly ran a hand over her hair.
– Prepares tasty, speaks Russian and in English. She draws me all the papers with foreigners, serves as a translator. Plays on Japanese market. A delicate soul!.. Changes in my moods in one instant she catches. Wait for the coffee, I’ll explain everything.
Lykov lay back, stretched out and said:
– Call another girl. Let him dance…
After dinner, he began to drink liquor, pouring it into a cup of Japanese, then in a glass of Tikhon. Lykov smiled and often stroked his kept woman on the cheek.
– Economy is a big deal! – winking Tikhon, he said. – Japan now has only one product for export – women. Mosume [2 – Mosume – women.] Are exported to foreign brothels.
– Wildness! – exclaimed Podkovin.
At that moment a small Japanese girl with a plump cheek came in and, falling on her knees in the middle of the room, bowed low.
“Kon-ban-va, my spring, white cherry blossom,” Lykov greeted her. – Come here, I will look into your eyes. You are slim and flexible like a young birch… Meet me. This is Tikhon-san, our future soldier.
– Sordata? – the women were surprised.
“Yes, soldier… He knows the way that it will not be boring to fight in Japan.” There are many, many charming mosume.
“Why war?”
– Ha ha ha ha… I frightened you? No, this is not a soldier, but the future Minister of Justice. We have to do this soon…
While the owner was talking, the guest silently repeated: the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Justice…
– Sit closer to him, and he will see that you have the most elegant legs and the thinnest fingers in the world.
Japanese crawling close to the feet of Tikhon. He turned away in disgust.
The owner, as if noticing anything, continued:
– My Sasha-san is a thrifty person… Honestly working, and saving thousands and a half yen – he will leave me, go home and become a prolific mother…
– You’re lying. I do not need your money. I will serve you and your wife all my life. You’re evil!..
Two large tears appeared from under Sasha-san’s eyelashes.
– What art! Playing out in love!..
– Tikhona-san! – exclaimed the Japanese. – I love him, but he does not believe. My heart hurts, it hurts… When they made a contract, I thought he was an old man. They made me… They force us to do many things… Without him, I will kill myself.
Sasha-san sobbed. The guest, having moved closer to her, embraced her. Podkovin silently examined Japanese women.
– How do you look at my home life? – Lykov asked inquisitively.
“Pampering,” Tikhon said through clenched teeth. – Sheer hangover from you. After all, you can marry a Russian girl…
– The point is said!.. – Lykov shook his head, – There are many brides in Russia. And in my eye they are. For example, Valya Inova.
Tikhon flinched, straightened his legs and pulled the pillow under his side.
– Beautiful man, a rare girl, beautiful.
“That would have been the matchmaker,” said Podkovin, almost with malice.
– Dowager! The father is the servant. How much with her? Some thousand, many – two.
Podkovin laughed.
– Did you forget about the man again? Yes, there is no price!..
The owner approached the guest to pour him liquor.
– Stay here. We heap with you business. And in the fall you get married… I have a bride. Millionaire’s daughter. Young, beautiful, interesting, educated. The same musician, as well as Valya. Looking for a husband of a young official, not a merchant’s son.
“In the fall I am called for a call,” Tikhon answered evasively.
“Ahhhh… sorry,” Lykov said. His gaze faded, his face showed fatigue.
During the entire conversation, the men Sasha-san vigilantly watched Lykov. Noticing a sharp change in his mood, she crouched down and asked quietly:
– you what? Do you have a bad deal? Failed deal?
– Yes, dear Sasha. Broke down. I found a man, so it seems that yours is not there, “Lykov said in a falling voice. – It’s a shame… Come on, honey, play, and Cherry-san will dance.
Tikhon looked puzzled at the Japanese and Lykov. Sasha-san prepared to rise, her cheeks were covered with a blush. Moist eyes looked softly, and a kind smile lay in the corners of his lips. Tikhon reached for Sasha-san, and she stood beside him full-length, adjusting her kimono.
“No,