Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/60

44 *Husband.—Oh, look here! Does all I have been saying cause you no concern?
 * Wife.—(moves a little, and scratches under her arm.)
 * Husband.—It’s not the time to scratch! Listen to what I’m saying! … What do you suppose I told her? … I said, ‘I’m tremendously glad you have thought about me so much, but I am hardly worthy of your thoughts and affection, because I am not free,’ and this is what she answered, ‘I’m quite aware of it. Only yesterday I saw you and your wife together, looking very happy. I saw you as you passed along the corridor.’ She looks gentle but very intelligent. I didn’t know what to say to her, so I merely remarked that such women as you could be found everywhere.
 * Wife.—(Gives a long sigh.)
 * Husband.—Thinking afterwards that my answer had been rather vague, I continued, ‘Such a dull kind of woman is rather rare.’ And what I said was quite true, even though you may be angry with me for saying it.
 * Wife.—(adjusts her pillow a little.)
 * Husband.—Then she said rather gently, ‘The happier it must be for a woman who lives with a man like you, I should think.’ When I asked her why, she laughed but would not answer the question.
 * Wife.—(begins to snore a little.)
 * Husband.—Your suspicious snoring shows that what I have told you has sunk in! Now, answer whatever you like, I’d like to hear what you have to say!