Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/52

36 *Wife.—Be quiet! ‘We have just been talking of hiring a boat for a row …’
 * Husband.—Oh, gracious! Have you written the same thing on each of your cards?
 * Wife.—Yes, I have said almost the same thing to everyone.
 * Husband.—Whom have you been writing to anyway?
 * Wife.—Well, this one is for Miss Yuri, and this I am sending to mother. This one is going to Miss Ko, and this for the wife of our next-door neighbour … and also I have sent one to that poor woman who lives behind our house, and …
 * Husband.—Well, I’m glad I am here, and happy that I shan’t be one of the persons who gets your cards. I’m rather sorry for the man whose woman friend goes away in the summer! But, look! The sky is clearing, and it is getting quite bright.
 * Wife.—Yes, the rain seems to be over. How lucky!
 * Husband.—Do you happen to know what the name of this swimming-stroke is? (He imitates some stroke.)
 * Wife.—It’s the frog-stroke, isn’t it?
 * Husband.—Yes, that’s right. And this?
 * Wife.—Is it any kind of swimming-stroke at all?
 * Husband.—Of course it is. It is called ‘Suifu style,’ … and this is the over-arm stroke …
 * Wife.—Which one are you going to teach me?
 * Husband.—Well, the frog-stoke is the easiest … What about trying to do it now?
 * Wife.—Certainly not! Not here!
 * Husband.—It’s a good chance to practice it here.