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I want to tell you something." Porcupine came to my room as promised. I had been in full sympathy with Hubbard Squash these days, and when it came to his farewell dinner, my pity for him welled up so much that I wished I could go to Nobeoka for him myself.
What in thunder do they mean by sending him away so far as Nobeoka when the fellow prefers to remain in his old position? Even Dazai-no- Gonnosutsu did not have to go farther than about Hakata; even Matagoro Kawai stopped at Sagara. I shall not feel satisfied unless I see Red Shirt and tell him I refuse the raise. I dressed again and went to his house.
Koga is going to Nobeoka; his successor is coming. He comes on a salary a little less than that of Mr. Koga, and we propose to add the surplus money to your salary, and you need not be shy. Mr. Koga will be promoted; the successor is to start on less pay, and if you could be raised, I think everything be satisfactory to all concerned.
This town here has a good steamship connection, yet I became sick of it and longed for home before one month had passed. Nobeoka is situated in the heart of a most mountainous country. According to Red Shirt, one has to make an all-day ride in a wagonette to Miyazaki, after he had left the vessel, and from Miyazaki another all-day ride in a rikisha to Nobeoka.
Nobeoka is an out-of-the-way, backwoods town, and compared with this town, it may have more material inconveniences, but according to what I have heard, Nobeoka is said to be a town where the customs are simple and untainted, and the teachers and students still strong in the straightforward characteristics of old days.
He is going to court hardships in a strange part of the country in preference of his home and the school where he is working, both of which should satisfy most anybody, because he is tired of them. That may be all right if the strange place happens to be a lively metropolis where electric cars run, but of all places, why Nobeoka in Hiuga province?
But he said there is an opening in Nobeoka which would give him five yen extra a month and he thought that would suit his purpose, and the principal had made all arrangements and told Koga-san he had better go......." "That wasn't a friendly talk but a command. Wasn't it?"
"If Hubbard Squash does not like to go down to Nobeoka, why didn't you do something to enable him remain here," I asked, and Porcupine said that when he heard the story from Hubbard Squash, everything had been settled already, but he had asked the principal twice and Red Shirt once to have the transfer order cancelled, but to no purpose.
But there are some circumstances ...... and it is partly by his own preference." "Where is he going?" "To Nobeoka in Hiuga province. As the place is so far away, he is going there with his salary raised a grade higher." "Is some one coming to take his place?" "His successor is almost decided upon." "Well, that's fine, though I'm not very anxious to have my salary raised."
I am convinced that in Nobeoka there is not a single high-collared guy who passes round threadbare remarks, or who with smooth face, entraps innocent people. I am sure that a man like Mr. Koga, gentle and honest, will surely be received with an enthusiastic welcome there. I heartily welcome this transfer for the sake of Mr. Koga.
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