Page:Things Japanese (1905).djvu/213

Rh long journey to-day, I mean to look in at the parish temple and borrow a horse. I will go quickly. Ah! here I am! Hoy! admittance!

Curate.—There is some one hallooing at the gate again! Who is that asking for admittance? Who is that hallooing?

Second Par.—It is I.

Curate.—Oh! you are indeed most welcome!

Second Par.—My present reason for calling is just simply this: I am off to day on a long journey, and (though it is a bold request to make) I should feel much obliged if you would condescend to lend me a horse.

Curate.—Nothing could be slighter than the request with which you honour me. But a day or two ago my master went out with it, and encountering a gust of wind at a place where four roads meet, the ribs flew off on one side, and the skin on another. So we have tied both skin and ribs by the middle, and hung them up to the ceiling. This being so, it would hardly be fit to answer your purpose.

Second Par.—Why! it is a horse that I am asking for!

Curate.—Yes, certainly! a horse.

Second Par.—Oh well! then there is no help for it. I will be off.

Curate.—Are you going?

Second Par.—Yes. Good-bye!

Curate.—Good-bye.! Thanks for your visit.

Second Par.—Well! I never! He says things that I cannot in the least make out.

Curate.—I spoke as my master had instructed me; so doubtless he will be pleased. Pray! Are you in?

Rector.—Oh! that is you! Is it on business that you come?

Curate.—Somebody has just been here to borrow our horse.

Rector.—And you lent him, as he fortunately happened to be disengaged?

Curate.—Oh no! I did not lend it, but replied in the manner you had instructed me.

Rector.—What! I do not remember saying anything about the horse. What was it you answered?

Curate.—I said that you had been out with it a day or two ago, and that, encountering a gust of wind at a place where four roads meet, the ribs had flown off on one side, and the skin on the other, which being the case, it would hardly fit to answer his purpose.

Rector.—What do you mean? It was if they came to ask for an umbrella that I told you to reply like that! But would anybody ever dream of saying