Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/51

Rh *Wife.—You needn’t be so sharp, my dear. But …?
 * Maid.—Certainly, Sir. (She goes out.)
 * Wife.—For heaven’s sake stop snapping at the poor maid just because you don’t like the bad weather. I know it is unpleasant, but if you want to swim so badly, why don’t you go out and do so?
 * Husband.—Swim in the rain? If anyone saw me, they’d say I was crazy!
 * Wife.—It’s far more idiotic to swim on the matting!
 * Husband.—Then shall we go back to Tokyo?
 * Wife.—No, let us stay for another day. Look! The sky over there seems much brighter. Perhaps it will be fine tomorrow.
 * Husband.—By all accounts it seems to be very cool in Tokyo. In the post-cards you are sending, you had better mention that it is hot here, and that so far we have not bathed yet, will you?
 * Wife.—This is what I have written to Miss Yuri; ‘Is it very hot in Tokyo? It is so cool here that when we go out in the morning or evening we can’t do without haori …’
 * Husband.—When we go out in the morning or evening?
 * Wife.—Well, let me finish, my dear! … ‘and in the daytime we are not feeling the heat at all, as we have such lots of bathes! …’
 * Husband.—Good gracious!
 * Wife.—(continuing reading) ‘We have got so sunburnt during the last few days that we are almost ashamed for any one to see us …’
 * Husband.—Oh, I say …!