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"Yes," said Yoshiko raising her head, "Therefore, Sensei, we decided along those lines. At the moment we both will be concentrating on our studies and hope to obtain our parents' approval in the future."
"That's better. If you made too much fuss now, other people and your parents would misunderstand and you would not be able to achieve the earnest desires which are so precious to you."
"That's why, Sensei, I intend to study seriously. Tanaka also said so. He told me he would not excuse himself if he was not able to see you and express his gratitude in person. He asked me to give you his kindest regards."
"There is no need for him to do that."
Tokio felt displeased by her use of the plural "we," and also when he heard her speaking as if they were already betrothed. He wondered how an unmarried girl of only nineteen or twenty was freely using these words as if for the first time. Tokio felt keenly how the times had changed. He realized the difference between the temperament of girl students of today and the disposition of girls of his time when he had fallen in love. Of course, it was true that from the viewpoint of his ideals and taste, he regarded with favor the present temperament of girl students. If a modern girl were educated as in the past, she could not possibly succeed as a wife in the Meiji era. It was his cherished belief that women should also be able to stand on their own two feet and sufficiently cultivate their own will power. He advocated these cherished principles quite often to Yoshiko. But, in spite of his beliefs, when he saw
