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140 there alone, sitting absent-mindedly in a chair before one of the huge mirrors

“Where’s Kane-ko?” asked O-Ume-san.

“He has gone to visit his sweetheart, Miss Toki,” answered Kin-ko nonchalantly.

“My God! To think that he has gone there openly declaring where he was going in that way!” said the angry barber, but O-Ume-san began to laugh, for it struck her as being rather humorous. Yoshisaburo looked very annoyed.

Now, this Miss Toki was rather an untidy and slovenly looking girl, who worked at a certain shop not far from the barber’s. Over this shop hung a sign-board with “Grocery for Soldiers” painted on it. It was said that she was a graduate from a girl’s high school. Very often one or two soldiers, some students, or other young men were seen sitting talking to her.

“Go and tell him to return quickly, as we shall soon be shutting up the shop,” said O-Ume-san to Kin-ko.

“It’s not yet so late!” Yoshisaburo remarked sharply. His wife then went back into the house.

The barber began to whet the razor, and he felt decidedly more at home in his shop than doing the task while lying in his bed. His wife entered again and brought his warmly-lined hanten-coat, and managed, after a little coaxing, to get him to put his arms into the sleeves. She seemed quite satisfied after she had done this, and sitting down near the entrance of the