Botchan (Modern Japanese Classics) by Natsume Soseki

Author:Natsume Soseki [Soseki, Natsume]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781935548263
Publisher: One Peace Books
Published: 2013-09-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

I left my room that night. The owner’s wife came charging in when I was packing my things and chirped Was there are problem with the room? If there is something wrong just tell me and I’ll see that it’s resolved. What was it with these people? Why was the world burdened with this overabundance of idiots? I had no idea if they wanted me to stay or go—it was a madhouse. But I couldn’t let myself be dragged into a fight with her; it would only tarnish my reputation. I called for a man with a cart and left as soon as I could.

I did leave, I managed to get out the door just fine, but soon after that I realized I had nowhere to go. The man with the cart asked where to go, so I said Shut up and follow me, we’d get there soon enough, and I kept on walking. I thought about going to the Yamashiroya because I couldn’t think of anything else, but I would just have to move again later on. It wouldn’t be worth the trouble, so I kept on walking down the street, hoping that any boarding houses in the area would put their signs out. If I saw one I’d take it as a sign from heaven and bang on the door—it would be mine.

I spent some time wandering the silent streets looking for a room when I realized I’d walked into Kajiyamachi. It wasn’t the kind of town you’d expect to have boarding houses, so I turned to leave and head somewhere a bit more lively when a great idea struck me. Pumpkin, who’d I’d always been so fond of, lived in that town. His family had apparently been landholders in the area for generations, so they probably knew all sorts of useful things. At the very least I assumed I’d be able to get some information on a boarding house from him. Even better—I’d been there once before, so I didn’t need to waste my time wandering the streets.

I spotted the house and plodded up to the gate yelling Hello! Hello! a couple of times until a woman, probably around fifty, came out of the dark, candle in hand. Now I don’t have anything against young women, but older people set me at ease. Something about her probably reminded me of Kiyo. She must have been Pumpkin’s mother. She had the air of a refined woman who had fallen on hard times, and she looked a lot like Pumpkin.

“Come on in,” she said. “I’d like to get a better look at you.” I asked her to call Pumpkin to the door instead. As soon as he came out I explained what had happened and asked if he had any ideas.

“That’s tough,” he said falling into thought for a moment. “There’s an old couple named Hagino living back there. A while ago they mentioned that they’d like to take on a boarder if I knew any good people that needed a room.

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