Page:Tayama Katai and His Novel Entitled Futon (Reece).pdf/257

 in the closing days of last year. I cannot endure standing idly by and watching his discomfort. Even if I do not receive any assistance from my parents, Tanaka and I will try to live in this world as far as it is possible by ourselves. I am truly sorry to cause you so much worry. It is natural for you to worry about me as my guardian. However, regardless of your efforts on our behalf and your explanations to my parents back home about our desires, the reaction of my parents was only one of senseless anger, and it is really inhuman of them to take no heed of our feelings; I do not care even if I am disowned. Although my parents criticize us as if we are depraved and say we have scarcely reached marriageable age, but how could our love be such a frivolous affair? Besides, they say that I should take my family status into account, but I hope you will agree with me that I am not such an old-fashioned woman as to select a husband for my parents' convenience. Sensei, my mind is made up. Yesterday, at Ueno Library I saw an advertisement for a woman apprentice, and I am going to apply for the position. I believe if we work hard we will not starve to death. As I have been staying in your house under these conditions I have given you and your wife a lot of worry for which I am truly sorry. Sensei, please forgive me for my decision.

Respectfully yours,

At last the power of love had pressed them down into indulgences. Tokio felt that he could not afford to let things stand as they were. He thought of his position as a "cordial guardian," which attitude he