Page:Tayama Katai and His Novel Entitled Futon (Reece).pdf/235

 was of medium hightheight [sic], a little stout, and of a light complexion, said this with prayerful eyes, as if he sought sympathy.

Tokio, who was very angry, said, "But, if you understand the situation, why don't you do something about it? I'm speaking out of concern for both your futures. Yoshiko is my pupil. As a matter of my responsibility, I can't allow myself to let her give up her studies. If you insist on staying in Tokyo, I must choose one or the other plan: Either Yoshiko returns home or I disclose to her parents your relationship and seek their permission for marriage. I don't think that you are such an egoistic man as to force your loved one, for your own advantage, to be buried in oblivion in the mountains. I hear that you are tired of engaging in religion on account of this recent affair but that's merely one way of thinking; if only you have patience and remain in Kyoto, everything will turn out satisfactorily, and your relationship will have hopes for the future."

"I understand very well what you mean."

"Yet, you can't do it?"

"I'm terribly sorry....I'd not be able to go back there now, even if I wanted to do so, as I have sold my school uniform and hat."

"In that case, are you going to force Yoshiko to go home?"

Tanaka did not reply.

"Shall I inform her parents about this?"

He still kept silent. After a while Tanaka said, "I have no intention of connecting my coming up to Tokyo with making such a choice. Even if I stay here, there will be no trouble between the two of us."