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128 would prophesy or guess what was happening at great distances. He had once seen her in such a state. “But for a Fox-god that gentleman was a little too stylish,” he thought. “At any rate he must be some kind of supernatural being!”

After a day or so, that strange feeling of lonesomeness passed from Mr. A’s mind. But his conscience smote him still rather queerly, and prevented him from passing again in front of the scales-shop in Kanda. Moreover he did not have any wish to revisit the sushi-restaurant.

“All the better, my dear,” said his wife laughing. “If you will send for the food, we shall all be able to share the delicacy.”

But Mr. A. did not laugh, and answered, “Being such a timid kind of man, I could not do such a thing without some reflection.”

To Senkichi, ‘that customer’ became an unforgettable factor in his mind. Whether ‘he’ was a human being or a supernatural one was no more a question with the lad. He was, however, not inclined to revisit the sushi-restaurant, though he remembered being invited so kindly to go again by the master and mistress of the establishment. He was not so insolent as to take advantage of their kindness.

In sorrow and pain he was sure never to forget ‘that customer.’ The mere remembrance was quite enough to console him. He believed that some day ‘that customer’ would again appear before his eyes with some expected favours.