Page:A History of Japanese Literature (Aston).djvu/130

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Of these the author has a long list, of which the following are a few:—

A visitor who tells a long story when you are in a hurry. If he is a person you are intimate with, you can pack him off, saying that you will hear it another time. But those whom you cannot treat in this way are very detestable.

An exorcist who, when sent for in a case of sudden illness, recites his charms as if he were half asleep.

Babies that cry or dogs that bark when you want to listen.

The snoring of a man whom you are trying to conceal, and who has gone to sleep in a place where he has no business.

A carriage which creaks so loud that you cannot hear your friend speak. Also the friend who lent you such a carriage.

People who interrupt your stories to show off their own cleverness. All interrupters, young or old, are very detestable.

People who, when you are telling a story, break in with, "Oh, I know," and give quite a different version from your own.

Either at home or in the palace to be roused up to receive an unwelcome visitor, in order to avoid whom you have been pretending to be asleep.

While on friendly terms with a man, to hear him sound the praises of a woman whom he has known. This is detestable even when some time has elapsed, much more so if he is still acquainted with her.