Chapters 23 and 24 Summary

The captain goes back to sea. At first, Manjiro misses their nightly talks on the porch terribly. Then, Manjiro discovers a book about everything he needs to know to navigate at sea. He's so busy working odd jobs to make enough money to buy his own copy of the book, that he doesn't have time to be lonely. Mrs. Whitfield gives birth to William Henry.

Manjiro loves the baby instantly. It also causes Manjiro to recall when his sisters were born back in Japan. Manjiro is smitten with the baby but he's also smitten with a girl. On May Day, Manjiro leaves a basket of flowers and a poem at Catherine's door. He's supposed to knock, so she can catch him and kiss him. When Manjiro hears voices inside of Catherine's house, though, he gets scared and runs away without knocking...