79
The power of morals and the restraints of customs can be more easily destroyed than torn cloth, given the opportunity. What does not come readily is the opportunity.
Tokio thought in his heart that such an opportunity had come close at least twice during this year. One time was when Yoshiko sent him a thick letter in which she had written, in tears, that she was so incompetent, and that she could not reciprocate her mentor's great kindness, and that she was going home to become a farmer's wife, and retire to the country. The second chance was one night when Tokio dropped in unexpectedly on Yoshiko who was alone taking charge of the house during the landlady's absence. The first time, when Tokio received the letter from her, he understood clearly the significance of her letter. He did not sleep all night worrying how he should write a reply. Glancing several times at the face of his wife who was sleeping peacefully, he censured himself as to how badly his own conscience had been paralyzed. And, as a consequence, the letter he mailed the next morning revealed the attitude of a strict teacher. The second time was on a spring night about two months after the first chance, when he unexpectedly dropped in to see her. Yoshiko was sitting all alone in front of a hibachi, her face beautifully made up with white liquid make-up.
"What's the matter?" Tokio asked.
"I'm taking charge of the house."
"Where's my sister-in-law?"
"She went shopping at Yotsuya," she said and gazed at Tokio's face. She looked very bewitching. Tokio's heart leaped with excite-
