Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan.pdf/67

Rh and unjust world sometimes.
 * Tsugi—(Going into the kitchen, washes up her dishes.) Why, Madam?
 * Wife.—While I was making match-boxes to-day at the factory, I was thinking about the world in general, and I wished that I could be a match-box rather than a woman.
 * Tsugi—Why? What an extraordinary thing to wish?
 * Wife.—Nevertheless it is true, Miss Tsugi! It may be my karma, but so long as this world remains unjust, I would rather by far be a match-box!
 * Tsugi—(Lauding softly) Ha, ha, ha!
 * Wife.—Don’t laugh at me, Miss Tsugi. Match-boxes do not feel any hunger. Therefore they need not work, and are not scolded by the overseer. Theirs must be a very easy life indeed!
 * Tsugi.—But, Madam, …
 * Wife.—But what I say is true. Match-boxes are treated very carefully. If you visit my factory some time, you will find that we treat match-boxes as they treat the sons of noblemen. They are never put on the bare floor, and they must not be too dry, or too wet. We, who make these boxes, are very miserable. They are always finding fault with us, and we are always being scolded in the presence of others; “You are always dozing!” or “You are too talkative!” or “Your efficiency is very low.” I just hate the life! Why, in our factory, a mere match-box is thought far more of than a human being!