Page:Things Japanese (1905).djvu/214

202 such a thing to a person who should come to borrow a horse? Another time, when you do not want to lend it, you can make a fitting excuse.

Curate.—What would you say?

Rector.—You should say: "We lately turned him out to grass; and becoming frolicsome, he dislocated his thigh, and is lying down covered with straw in a corner of the stable. This being so, he will hardly be fit to answer your purpose." Something like that, something with an air of truth about it, is what you should say.

Curate.—Your injunctions shall be kept in mind, and I will profit by them next time.

Rector.—Be sure you do not say something stupid!

Curate.—What can this mean? To say a thing because he tells me to say it, and then, forsooth, to get a scolding for it! For all I am now my own master, I see no way out of these perplexities.

Third Parishioner.—I am a resident in this neighbourhood, and am on my way to the parish temple, where I have some business. Well, I will make haste. Ah! here I am! Hoy! admittance!

Curate.—There is some one hallooing at the gate again! Vho is that hallooing?

Third Par.—It is I.

Curate.—Oh! a hearty welcome to you!

Third Par.—It is long since I last had the honour of coming to enquire after you; but I trust that the worthy rector and yourself are still in the enjoyment of good health.

Curate.—Oh yes! we both continue well. But by the way, my master, moved by some impulse or other, has deigned to resign the benefice in my favour. So I pray that you will continue to honour our temple with your visits.

Third Par.—That is an auspicious event; and if I have not been already to offer my congratulations, it is because I was not apprised of it. To-morrow being a religious anniversary in my family, I should feel greatly obliged if our worthy rector and yourself would condescend to come to my house.

Curate.—For myself, I will come; but my master will scarcely be able to do so.

Third Par.—What! has he any other business on hand?

Curate.—No, he has no particular business on hand; but we lately turned him out to grass, and becoming frolicsome, he dislocated his thigh, and is lying down covered with straw in a corner of the stable. This being so, he will scarcely be able to come.