50
Eminent Authors of Japan
- Koyama.—If he were alive, and with us now, how happy we should be!—but, what use is it to talk about such things? We must try to be happy.(The two begin to eat in silence. Suddenly, the glass-door of the office is opened from outside, and a peasant rushes into the room.)
- Peasant.—Good evening, Sir!
- Tsugi.—Who is it? And what do you want?
- Peasant. A horrible thing has happened! We want you to come at once, Sir!
- Koyama.—What is the matter?
- Peasant. The matter, indeed!
- Koyama.—Yes. Is there another railway suicide?
- Peasant. No, no, far more serious than that.
- Koyama.—What is it, then?
- Peasant. A baby has been found in the bamboo grove.
- Koyama.—A baby?
- Peasant. Yes; I wanted to take to take some bamboo shoots to the market tomorrow, so I entered the bamboo wood behind my house, and began to dig, when suddenly a baby, a dead baby, revealed itself in the hole that I was digging. As it seemed to me a very serious thing, I came at once to tell you, Sir.
- Koyama.—I see. Yes, I will go with you at once.
- Peasant. I am very sorry to disturb your supper, Sir, but I felt that I must tell you without delay.
- Tsugi.—Must you really go, Papa?
- Koyama.—Of course, my child. Please get out my uniform again.
