Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/146

122 “Well, then, can he carry it to my house now, for I am rather in a hurry?”

“Certainly, sir, he can put it on a cart, and follow you to your home.”

Mr. A. now thought that, as he was not able to treat the boy as he wanted the other day, he would now find an opportunity of treating him to a dinner somewhere on the way to his home.

“And will you please write down your address here?” insisted the clerk, offering him another register when Mr. A. proceeded to pay for his purchase.

Mr. A. hesitated a little. He was not aware that it was a regulation that when buying scales one should give one’s address to the seller.

He felt a little ashamed of entertaining such a boy after allowing his name to be known. But he could see that he must do what was asked of him, so after a little more hesitation he wrote down a false address and handed it to the clerk.

Mr. A. walked loungingly away, and behind him, at some short distance walked the shop-doyboy [sic], Senkichi, pulling his small cart with the scales upon it. When they arrived just in front of the house of a rickshaw-man, Mr. A. stopped and went into it, leaving the boy outside. He arranged with the rickshaw-man to transfer the scales on to his vehicle.

“Now, be sure,” said Mr. A., “to take it to my house. Your fare will be paid on delivery. Present this card, and my family will understand.” Saying this, he left the house, and said to Senkichi, “Thank you