386 MYSTIC ISLES 



golden, and sent forth a sweet odor which exceeded in 

 deliciousness even the smell of monoi, the ointment of 

 the oil of the cocoanut and crushed blossoms. Pipiri 

 Ma rolled upon their soft mats, and their eyes opened 

 with thoughts of a bountiful meal. They awaited with 

 hearts of joy the moment when their mother would 

 come to take them to the cook-house, the fare umu. 



"The parents did not come to them. The minutes 

 passed slowly in the silence, counted by beats of their 

 hearts. Yet their mother was not far away. They 

 heard the noise of the dried purau-leaves as they were 

 placed on the grass. They distinguished the sound of 

 the breadfruit as they rolled dully upon the large leaves, 

 and then the silvery sound of cups filled with pape mitt 

 and the miti noanoa from which a pleasant aroma arose. 

 They heard also the freeing of the cocoanuts from their 

 hairy covering to release their limpid nectar. On their 

 mats the children became restless and began to cry. 

 Their eyes filled with bitter tears, and their throats 

 choked with painful sobs. 



" 'All is ready,' said Rehua, gladly, to her husband, 

 'but before we eat, go and wake our little ones so dear to 

 us.' 



"Taua was afraid to break the sweet sleep of the 

 babies. He hesitated and said: 



" 'No, do not let us wake them. They sleep so 

 soundly now.' 



"Pipiri Ma heard these touching words of their father. 

 Why was he afraid to wake them to-night when always 

 they ate the fish w^ith their parents — the fish just from 

 the sea and golden from the umu? Had the love of 

 their father been so soon lost to them, as under the foul 



