Summary

The old man meets him at twilight in the village, and Junpei sees a sign, reading “Love Your Home,” before he is taken to one of the holes. He climbs down the rope ladder with a feeling of curiosity, as if he had “returned to his childhood.” A woman, about thirty and not disagreeable-looking, comes out to meet him and seems extremely happy at his arrival. The house looks very flimsy, has rotting straw mats, warped boards, and an unpleasant smell. However, Junpei tries to make the best of it and tells himself it will make a good story for when he has returned. When he asks for water to take a bath, the woman seems embarrassed to tell him that he will have to wait until the day after the next for enough water. He simply laughs and tells her he will have...