Page:Soseki - Botchan (1918).djvu/37

 sideolockssidelocks. [sic]. I felt sorry for her, and said comfortingly; "I am going away but will come back soon. I'll return in the vacation next summer, sure." Still as she appeared not fully satisfied, I added;

"Will bring you back a surprise. What do you like?"

She wished to eat "sasa-ame" of Echigo province. I had never heard of "sasa-ame" of Echigo. To begin with, the location is entirely different.

"There seems to be no 'sasa-ame' in the country where I'm going," I explained, and she rejoined; "Then, in what direction?" I answered "westward" and she came back with "Is it on the other side of Hakone?" This give-and-take conversation proved too much for me.

On the day of my departure, she came to my