Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/96

76 kindest words sounded cruel and cynical to my ears that evening. I remember that I was unable to find words then to answer you as I wanted to. But a few days afterwards when I heard of your decision to be married to another man, I was so ashamed that I wished to die. I wanted to die in the depths of hell, and to ask your forgiveness as I passed away.

“I know well that you love Mr. Shunkichi. I am sure of it, so do not conceal it, my dear. I am sure you would have married him if it had not been for your great love for me. But you told me that you did not love him, and now you have married someone whom you do not love.

“O my dearest sister, do you remember that when I went to see you off at the station I carried my pet hen in my arms, and I whispered to her to ask your forgiveness. I wanted to feel that even the fowl which I loved most of all would join me in entreating your forgiveness. Then our mother, who knew nothing of the matter, wept!

“Tomorrow you will have reached Osaka. But, my dearest sister, never desert your poor little Teru-ko. Every morning, as I go about my work, I will weep when I think of you …”

The tears fell as Nobu-ko read her sister’s letter, for it was brimming over with true and tender girlish feeling. She recalled to mind her pretty figure as she stood on the station platform, and she remembered how she had secretly handed her the mysterousmysterious [sic] letter. She had felt very sorry for the younger girl. Yet, had her