Mr. Hosoume said Marpo was the best hired man he had ever had, and he said this often, because it was an irrefutable fact among Japanese in general that Filipinos in general were an indolent lot. Mr. Hosoume ascribed Marpo's industry to his having grown up in Hawaii, where there is known to be considerable Japanese influence.
Unable to hide her disgust and her fascination, Yoneko went straightway to Marpo and asked, "Marpo, is it true that you eat dogs?", and he, flashing that smile, answaerd, "Don't be funny, honey!" This caused her no end of amusement, because it was a poem,
"When have I ever contradicted you before?" Mrs. Hosoume said.
"Countress times, " Mr. Hosoume said.
"Name one instance, " Mrs. Hosoume said.
Certainly there had been times, but Mr. Hosoume could not happen to mention the one requested instance on the spot and he bacame quite angry. "That's quite enough of your insolence. " he said. Since he was speaking in Japanese, his exact accusation was that she was nama-iki, which is a shade more revolting than being merely insolent.
"Nama-iki, nama-iki?" said Mrs.Hosoume. "How dare you? I'll not have anyone calling me nama-iki!"
At that, Mr.Hosoume went up to where his wife was ironing and slapped her martly on her face. It was the first time he had ever laid hands on her. Mrs. Hosoume was immobile for an instant, but she reglanced over at Marpo, who happened to be in the room reading a newspaper. Yoneko and Seigo forgot they were listening to the radio and stared at their parents, thunderstruck.
"Hit me again, " said Mrs. Hosoume quietly, as she ironned. "Hit me all you wish. "
Mr. Hosoume was apparently about to, but Marpo stepped up and put his hand on Mr. Hosoume's shoulder. "The children are here, " said Marpo, " the children. "
"Mind your own business, " said Mr. Hosoume in broken English. "Get out of here!"