XP client slow response from shared printer on W98 host

My Canon ip4000 is a shared USB printer on my Windows 98 desktop computer.
The share name is "CANON" and the computer identification is "MSI".

I want to use it from my Windows XP notebook computer over my
crossover-cable network. Alas, the response time is poor - about 1.5 minutes
to open the printer properties window.

Worse yet, it takes about 3-5 minutes to open a MS Word document on the
Windows XP computer. Apparently, before opening the document, Word checks
the printer properties in order to configure the page setup menu.

From the Windows 98 host, the printer test page show port name "MPUSBPRN01"
and a list of Windows 98 drivers.

From the Windows XP client, the printer test page shows port name
\\MSI\CANON and a list of Windows XP drivers. In printer properties, the
port description is "LAN Manager Printer Port".

If I disconnect the network cable, the MS Word document opens almost
immediately.

I tried a different installation approach, to no avail: I connected the
Windows XP computer directly to the printer through a USB port. Thus, I
added another printer. Next, I attempted to change the port of printer
number 2, from USB to \\MSI\CANON. This change was refused.

Am I plumb out of luck? I had no problems using a Windows 98 notebook to
access the host printer.

Suggestions?

JohnF