Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/92

72 little toleration for what he termed “the new literature” such as the problem plays of Ibsen and others which were quite in vogue then. He was rather inclined to talk satirically of this class of literature,—perhaps his criticisms were influenced by his study of French literature. This satirical attitude of Shunkichi’s often irritated Nobu-ko, for she took everything rather seriously. But even though at times her irritation became almost unbearable when listending to him, she could not help finding something in his cynicisms and aphorisms which stirred her deeply.

During her school life she often went to concerts and exhibitions with Shunkichi, and nearly always she took her younger sister Teru-ko with her. Going or coming back from these entertainments the young people would talk and laugh together with the utmost freedom. But it was seldom that the younger girl was included in their conversation, and happily she showed quite a childish and innocent contentment in gazing at the various window-displays of bright parasols, shawls, and other pretty articles of wearing-apparel which she saw on the way. When, however, Nobu-ko became aware that she was excluding her sister too much from their conversation, she would quickly turn her talk into other channels, and would strive to draw the younger girl into their chattering again. But even though at times she endeavoured to be considerate in these matters, she was usually the very one who forgot all about her when she got interested in some particular topic.