「
「いい恰好なの？ それが？ あんまりよかあないわ？
「油壺なものか。そんな
「じゃ、なあに？」
「
「花活にしちゃ、
「そこが
「どうせ無風流ですわ。油壺を警察から貰ってくるような
「
「珍品過ぎるわ。
「どこって
「だれが見るもんですか。吉原なんて
"That's an odd thing. The police were passing those out?" Yukie, righting the tipped vessel, enquires of her uncle. Her uncle, in return, looks back at her beaming with pride. "A handsomely-crafted piece, wouldn't you say?"
"Handsomely-crafted? This thing? I struggle to think so. And why come home with an oil jar?"
"Who says it's an oil jar? It's lame remarks like that that show off your lack of culture."
"In that case, enlighten me."
"It's a flower vase."
"For a flower vase, the neck's too narrow and the body's too fat."
"That's the point. You're so uncouth. You and your aunt are cast from the same bad mold. Your both beyond help." The master, disregarding the ladies, takes up the vessel, holds it up with the shōji as backdrop, and examines it anew.
"If only I were more cultured. Then I too could call at police headquarters and come home bearing an oil bottle. Really now. Don't you think, Auntie?" Yukie's aunt, however, is off in her own world. With eager eyes she's untied the bundle and is sorting through the recovered goods. "Will you look at this? Thievery has advanced with the times. Everything's been unstichted, laundered clean, and dried flat. Really, look for yourself."
"Who said anything about bringing back an oil bottle from the precinct? I grew tired of waiting, strolled the environs for a change of pace, and discovered this piece. It may be lost on the likes of you, but this is quite the find."
"Quite the find indeed. Where exactly did your stroll take you?"
"You know full well. Nihonzutsumi and thereabouts. I even ventured into Yoshiwara. Thriving quarters. The iron gate there's a sight to see. Don't suppose you've ever seen it."
"Don't suppose I have. What business would I have in Yoshiwara? The place is crawling with prostitutes. To think that you, a teacher, would be traipsing through it. Hard to believe. Don't you think Auntie? Auntie?"