Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/143

Rh “Haven’t you any laver-sushi?” asked the boy.

“No, we haven’t got today,” answered the bulky keeper of the stall, and while shaping a rice ball with his hands, he stared at the boy, eyeing him from head to foot.

The boy at once made up his mind, and pretending that it was not the first time he had been in such a place, he stretched out his arm and picked up one of the three pieces of sushi which were decorated with tunny-fish. But although he seemed quite decided as to his wants, he timidly drew his arm back for an instant.

“It is six sen a piece, you know, my boy,” said the keeper of the stall.

The boy put the sushi back on the stand, but nearly let it fall.

“We don’t like you to touch it with your fingers, and then to put it back again.” After saying this, the man placed a new piece of sushi on the stand, and took the piece that the boy had discarded and placed it on the counter near where he was standing.

The boy was silent. He made a disappointed grimace, but seemed unable to move away. But after a moment he plackedplucked [sic] up courage and moved from the stall.

“At the present time the price of sushi rather high, you know, and I’m sorry that they are rather too high for a shop-boy,” said the keeper of the stall apologetically. After he had made another ball of sushi, he took up the piece which the boy had left, and