Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/93

Rh Shunkichi, who was rather indifferent in his manner, would stride nonchalantly along the crowded streets, talking rather wittily, and would delight in flavouring his conversation with smart jokes and aphorisms.

The intimacy which existed between Nobu-ko and her cousin was of course apparent enough to their friends to cause everyone to anticipate their early marriage. Many of Nobu-ko’s school chums even became envious and jealous of her coming happiness. This was especially the case with a few of her friends who did not even know anything of the true personality of the young man, and they seemed to delight in inventing unkind and disastrous predictions for Nobu-ko. As for her younger sister, she tried hard not to bring herself to listen to all this idle talking, yet at the same time she often hinted in her remarks to her sister that there was a possibility of some of their suppositions coming true. So Nobu-ko’s school-mates had become quite reconciled to the fact that she and Shunkichi would soon be wedded, and they always had in their young minds rather a clear picture of the young bride and bridegroom.

But quite to the surprise of all her friends, no sooner had Nobu-ko finished her school course, than she suddenly married a young fellow who was a graduate of a higher commercial school, and who had just been appointed as clerk in a certain firm in Osaka.

A few days after their marriage the young couple started for their new home. According to those who