Near a certain rail depot was situated the 6th Office of the Ministry of Feline Affairs. This office dealt primarily with inquiries of feline history and geography.
The clerks all wore short coats of black satin, and were well-respected by all. Any time one of the clerks had to retire for any reason, each and every one the young cats in the area clamored to take his position.
However, the number of clerks in that office was always limited to four, so of those many, only the fellow who was most literate, with the neatest handwriting, was chosen.
The manager was a big black cat, who had become a little senile, but he was still sharp as a tack, so he was really quite respectable.
The workers beneath him were:
the 1st clerk, a white cat
the 2nd clerk, a tabby cat
the 3rd clerk, a tortoiseshell cat
the 4th clerk, a soot cat.
This so-called soot cat was not born this way. He was born with some sort of regular coloring, but he had a habit of sleeping inside a hearth at night, and his fur always ended up filthy with soot. His nose and ears in particular were stained a deep black, so one might even say he somewhat resembled a tanuki.
Because of this, the soot cat was somewhat scorned by the other cats.
However, the head of this office, in any case, was a black cat, so this soot cat, who normally would never ever have had a chance at becoming a clerk, no matter how much he studied, was chosen from out of 40 applicants.
Manager Black Cat plopped down behind a red felt-covered table in the middle of the large office, with White Cat the First and Tortoiseshell Cat the Third on his right, and Tabby Cat the Second and Soot Cat the Fourth on his left, each sitting neatly in their own little chair at their own little table.
So if you should ever ask, what is geography and history to a cat?,
Well, its like this:
There was a knock at their office door.
Enter! Manager Black Cat shouted, reclining with his hands in his pockets.
The four clerks kept their heads down, flipping busily through their notebooks.
A extravagant cat entered the office.
What is your business? asked the manager.
I would like to visit the Bering region to eat some arctic mice. Could you tell me which is the best place to go?
Yes. First clerk, tell us where arctic mice live.
The first clerk opened up a thick notebook with blue binding and answered,
Usteragominyy, Novaskaya, and the area of the Puzha River.
The manager said to the extravagant cat, Usteragominyy, Nova What was it called?
Novaskaya, the first clerk and the extravagant cat said in unison.
Yeah, Novaskaya, and then what?!
The Puzha River, the extravagant cat and the first clerk said in unison once more, embarrassing the manager.
Right right, the Puzha River. Well guess thats the place then.
So could you give me any advisories about traveling there?
Sure. Second clerk, tell me if there are any advisories about traveling in the Bering region.
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Yessir. The second clerk flipped through his own notebook. Summer cats mustnt travel there. As he said this, for some reason, everyone glanced at the soot cat.
There is also a dire warning for winter cats. There is a danger of being lured in by horse meat near Hakodate. Furthermore, when black cats in particular travel there without sufficiently distinguishing themselves as cats, they are often mistaken for black foxes, and hunted down.
Alright, its as he said. You are not a black cat such as myself, so you shouldnt have any real trouble. Just be sure to keep clear of horse meat near Hakodate.
Well then, are there any persons of note in that area?
Third clerk, give me the names of any persons of note in the Bering area.
Yes, um, in the Bering area, yes, Tovaski, Gansoski, there are those two names.
Tovaski and Gansoski, what sort of fellows are they?
Fourth clerk, tell me about Tovaski and Gansoski.
Yessir. The fourth clerk, the soot cat, had already placed one slender paw at the entries for Tovaski and Gansoski each. Both the manager and the extravagant cat seemed very impressed by this.
At this, the other three clerks glared at Soot Cat as if they had been slighted, and sneered. Soot read from his notebook the best he could.
Chief Tovaski has great moral influence. He has a piercing gaze but hes slow to speak. Wealthy Gansoski is a bit slow to speak but he has a piercing gaze.
Well, thats all I need to know. Thank you.
The extravagant cat left.
This way of things worked rather well for the cats. However, only half a year after this incident, the 6th Office was shut down. That is to say, Im sure youve all realized this by now, but the fourth clerk, the soot cat, was greatly loathed by the three clerks above him. The third clerk in particular, Tortoiseshell, itched to do Soots work. Soot just wanted the others to think well of him somehow, so he worked hard at everything he did, but no matter what, he couldnt change the situation.
For example, one day when the tabby cat, sitting beside Soot, placed his lunch on his desk and began to eat, he was suddenly struck by an attack of the yawns.
Tabby stretched his stubby arms as high as he could and gave a great yawn. As they were all cats, this wasnt seen as any sign of disrespectif he had been human, it would have been the kind of offense that would have gotten your whiskers pulledbut what was rude was when he pushed his table up, attempting to stretch his legs, and his lunch box slid off the table, clattering on the floor before the manager. It was a little beat up, but it was made of aluminum, so it didnt break. Tabby hurriedly finished his stretch, and stretched his arms across the table, attempting to reach it, but it wasnt clear if his hands would ever make it, and the lunch box slid here and there, and he never did catch it.
Its no use. You wont reach it, laughed Manager Black, chewing noisily on his bread. At the moment, Soot Cat had just opened the lid of his lunch box, but seeing the situation he stood at once, picked up the box from the floor, and handed it to Tabby Cat. Tabby suddenly became quite angry, and threw his hands up, not taking this box which the Soot had gone out of his way to hand over, and shouted, his body shaking,
What is this? Are you saying I should eat this? Are you saying I should eat something that fell on the floor?!
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No sir, I was merely picking it up for you, as you were trying to pick it up yourself.
And when was I trying to pick it up? Ah. I just thought it quite rude to drop something in front of the manager, so I was trying to push it under my own desk.
Oh I see. Still, the lunch box was sliding all over the place, so.
What impertinence. Are you trying to start someth
The manager gave a loud growl, interrupting so as not to let Tabby Cat start a fight. Please cease your quarrel. Soot didnt pick up the lunch box with the intention to make you eat from it. And perhaps youve forgotten, Tabby, but I told you this morning you were getting a 10-sen raise.
At first, Tabby Cat appeared frightened, but listened with his head down, but soon he began to smile.
Please forgive my rudeness, sir. He glanced at Soot Cat beside him, and took his seat.
You know, I feel sorry for Soot.
Once again, 56 days after this incident, a similar thing occurred. This sort of thing happened often because, for one, cats are naturally lazy, and also their front legsthat is, their armsare quite short. On this particular occasion it was the third clerk, Tortoiseshell Cat, sitting on the other side of the room, who, before he could start his work for the morning, let his pen slip and go rolling onto the floor. Tortoiseshell chose to spare himself the trouble of standing, and right away, as Tabby had, stretched his arms across the desk and tried to pick up the pen. Just as before, there was no way he could reach it. Tortoiseshell was particularly short, so he leaned forward, and soon his legs left his seat. Soot wasnt sure whether he should pick it up, given what happened before, so he hesitated for some time, blinking dazedly, but soon he could no longer ignore it, and stood.
However, by this time, Tortoiseshell had leaned too far forward, and toppled from the desk, banging his head harshly. It made a dreadful sound, such that even Manager Black Cat stood in surprise, and took a bottle of ammonia from the shelf behind him to bring Tortoiseshell to. However, Tortoiseshell soon awoke, and abruptly, in a fit of confusion, shouted,
Soot, you rat! How dare you shove me!?
This time, however, the manager was quick to calm Tortoiseshell.
No, Tortoiseshell, that was your fault.
Soot merely stood to do you a favor, not to do you any harm. Still, its not that big of a deal. Anyway, um, Santontans change of address, yes The manager quickly returned to his work. Left with no other choice, Tortoiseshell too attended to his work, now and then glancing at Soot with a sinister gaze.
This was the way of things, so it was really quite distressing for Soot Cat.
In attempt to become an ordinary cat, Soot tried sleeping outside the window, but the night was much too cold and he couldnt stop sneezing, and so he had no choice but to sleep in the hearth.
You may wonder why he got so cold; well it was because his skin was thin, and the reason his skin was thin was that he was born in midsummer. When Soot thought of this hopeless situation, and how there was nothing he could do about it, his round eyes filled with tears.
Even so, the manager was so kind to him, and he was happy to think that his colleagues at the office held such prestige, so even as he cried, Soot clenched his fists and thought to himself, No matter how hard it gets I wont quit!, I can make it through this!
However, even the Manager could not always be counted on. By virtue of being a cat, he seemed wise, but he was really a fool. Once, Soot Cat caught a bad cold, and the joints in his legs swelled up to the size of softballs, so that he couldnt even walk, and he had to take a day off. He didnt even put up a fight. He just cried and cried and cried. While watching the yellow light that streamed in through a little window in his shed, he rubbed his eyes and cried the whole day through.
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This is what happened in the office during that time:
My goodness, Soot still hasnt shown up today. Hes awfully late, said the manager between tasks.
Geez, he must have gone off to the beach to play or something, said White Cat.
No Ill bet someone called him off to a party somewhere, said Tabby Cat.
Theres a party going on today? the manager asked with a start. He didnt think there was any cat who would throw a party and not invite him.
I heard there was a school opening ceremony or something going on up north.
I see. Black Cat grew silent and began to brood.
Why on earth, said Tortoiseshell, is Soot Cat being invited so many places these days? I hear hes been saying how no matter what, hes going to be the next manager. So some cowardly fools are trying their hardest to curry favor with him.
Is this true!? shouted Black.
It is indeed true. Go see for yourself, Tortoiseshell said with a frown.
Inexcusable That guy has been eyeing me a lot. Alright, I have a thought of my own.
The office was deadly silent for some time after that.
And so, the next day:
The swelling in Soot Cats legs had finally gone down, so he woke up bright and early, and walked to the office through the howling wind. When he arrived, his beloved ledger, the cover of which he would stroke every morning, was no longer atop his desk, but divided between the desks of his three colleagues.
Ah, they must have been busy yesterday, he said to himself in a hoarse voice, his heart pounding inexplicably.
Clack. The door opened, and in came Tortoiseshell.
Good morning, Soot stood and greeted him, but Tortoiseshell just took his seat quietly, then leafed through his notebook as if he was incredibly busy. Clack. Slam. In came Tabby Cat.
Good morning, greeted Soot, as before, but Tabby wouldnt even look his way.
Good morning, said Tortoiseshell.
Morning. Some wind out there, huh. Tabby began leafing through his notebook without delay.
Clack, slam! White Cat entered the office.
Good morning, Tabby and Tortoiseshell greeted in unison.
Oh, morning. Its quite windy out today. White also took up his work busily. Soot stood listlessly and silently bowed, but White acted as if he didnt even know him.
Clack, smack.
Whew, my goodness its windy. In came Manager Black. Good morning. The three quickly stood and bowed. Soot stood in a daze and bowed, averting his gaze.
Seems to be a storm, yes, said Black, not looking at Soot. Soon after he began his work.
Well, we should continue yesterdays inquiry of the Anmognac brothers. Second clerk, which of the Anmognac brothers went to the south pole? Thus the work began. Soot watched them quietly. He had no ledger to work with. Even if he wanted to say something, he could not bring himself to speak.
It was Pan and Polaris, replied Tabby.
Alright, tell me more about Pan and Polaris, said Black.
Oh, but thats my job, the details, the details, thought Soot, on the verge of tears.
Pan and Polaris perished on Yap Island, while returning from an expedition to the south pole. Their frozen remains were buried at sea, the first clerk, White Cat, read from Soots notes. Soot was sad, very sad, and his cheeks began to droop, but he watched them and endured it, holding back the tears.
The office steadily became busier and busier, and the work rolled along. Once in a while, each of them glanced Soots way, but they never said a word.
Noon rolled around. Soot didnt even eat the lunch he brought with him, he just sat patiently and watched, his hands on his lap.
About an hour after noon, Soot began to sob. He cried on and off for three hours, until the sun began to set.
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Still, the others continued their apparently interesting work, as if they did not notice at all.
At that time, though the cats were not aware of it, a lions austere golden face was observing them through the window behind the manager.
The lion had watched them suspiciously for some time, then without warning pounded on the door and came inside. I neednt tell you how surprised the cats were. The lion sauntered around the office lazily. Only Soot stood to greet him, drying his tears.
The lion spoke in a loud, stern voice,
Just what do you think youre doing? You cats have no need for such geography and history. Cease this at once. Hmph. Im closing this place down.
And thus the office was dissolved.
I half-agree with the lion.
猫の事務所
ある小さな官衙に関する幻想
宮沢賢治
軽便鉄道の停車場のちかくに、猫の第六事務所がありました。ここは主に、猫の歴史と地理をしらべるところでした。
書記はみな、短い黒の繻子(しゆす)の服を着て、それに大へんみんなに尊敬されましたから、何かの都合で書記をやめるものがあると、そこらの若い猫は、どれもどれも、みんなそのあとへ入りたがつてばたばたしました。
けれども、この事務所の書記の数はいつもただ四人ときまつてゐましたから、その沢山の中で一番字がうまく詩の読めるものが、一人やつとえらばれるだけでした。
事務長は大きな黒猫で、少し もうろく してはゐましたが、眼などは中に銅線が幾重も張つてあるかのやうに、じつに立派にできてゐました。
さてその部下の
一番書記は白猫でした、
二番書記は虎猫(とらねこ)でした、
三番書記は三毛猫でした、
四番書記は竃猫(かまねこ)でした。
竃猫といふのは、これは生れ付きではありません。生れ付きは何猫でもいいのですが、夜かまどの中にはひつてねむる癖があるために、いつでもからだが煤(すす)できたなく、殊に鼻と耳にはまつくろにすみがついて、何だか狸(たぬき)のやうな猫のことを云(い)ふのです。
ですから かま 猫はほかの猫には嫌はれます。
けれどもこの事務所では、何せ事務長が黒猫なもんですから、この かま 猫も、あたり前ならいくら勉強ができても、とても書記なんかになれない筈(はず)のを、四十人の中からえらびだされたのです。
大きな事務所のまん中に、事務長の黒猫が、まつ赤な羅紗(らしや)をかけた卓(テーブル)を控へてどつかり腰かけ、その右側に一番の白猫と三番の三毛猫、左側に二番の虎猫と四番の かま 猫が、めいめい小さなテーブルを前にして、きちんと椅子(いす)にかけてゐました。
ところで猫に、地理だの歴史だの何になるかと云ひますと、
まあこんな風です。
事務所の扉(と)をこつこつ叩(たた)くものがあります。
「はひれつ。」事務長の黒猫が、ポケツトに手を入れてふんぞりかへつてどなりました。
四人の書記は下を向いていそがしさうに帳面をしらべてゐます。
ぜいたく猫がはひつて来ました。
「何の用だ。」事務長が云ひます。
「わしは氷河鼠(ひようがねずみ)を食ひにベーリング地方へ行きたいのだが、どこらがいちばんいいだらう。」
「うん、一番書記、氷河鼠の産地を云へ。」
一番書記は、青い表紙の大きな帳面をひらいて答へました。
「ウステラゴメナ、ノバスカイヤ、フサ河流域であります。」
事務長はぜいたく猫に云ひました。
「ウステラゴメナ、ノバ何と云つたかな。」
「ノバスカイヤ。」一番書記とぜいたく猫がいつしよに云ひました。
「さう、ノバスカイヤ、それから何！？」
「フサ川。」またぜいたく猫が一番書記といつしよに云つたので、事務長は少しきまり悪さうでした。
「さうさう、フサ川。まああそこらがいいだらうな。」
「で旅行についての注意はどんなものだらう。」
「うん、二番書記、ベーリング地方旅行の注意を述べよ。」
「はつ。」二番書記はじぶんの帳面を繰りました。「夏猫は全然旅行に適せず」するとどういふわけか、この時みんなが かま 猫の方をじろつと見ました。
「冬猫もまた細心の注意を要す。函館(はこだて)付近、馬肉にて釣らるる危険あり。特に黒猫は充分に猫なることを表示しつつ旅行するに非(あらざ)れば、応々黒狐(くろぎつね)と誤認せられ、本気にて追跡さるることあり。」
「よし、いまの通りだ。貴殿は我輩のやうに黒猫ではないから、まあ大した心配はあるまい。函館で馬肉を警戒するぐらゐのところだ。」
「さう、で、向ふでの有力者はどんなものだらう。」
「三番書記、ベーリング地方有力者の名称を挙げよ。」
「はい、えゝと、ベーリング地方と、はい、トバスキー、ゲンゾスキー、二名であります。」
「トバスキーとゲンゾスキーといふのは、どういふやうなやつらかな。」
「四番書記、トバスキーとゲンゾスキーについて大略を述べよ。」
「はい。」四番書記の かま 猫は、もう大原簿のトバスキーとゲンゾスキーとのところに、みじかい手を一本づつ入れて待つてゐました。そこで事務長もぜいたく猫も、大へん感服したらしいのでした。
ところがほかの三人の書記は、いかにも馬鹿(ばか)にしたやうに横目で見て、ヘツとわらつてゐました。 かま 猫は一生けん命帳面を読みあげました。
「トバスキー酋長(しうちやう)、徳望あり。眼光炯々(けいけい)たるも物を言ふこと少しく遅し、ゲンゾスキー財産家、物を言ふこと少しく遅けれども眼光炯々たり。」
「いや、それでわかりました。ありがたう。」
ぜいたく猫は出て行きました。
こんな工合(ぐあひ)で、猫にはまあ便利なものでした。ところが今のおはなしからちやうど半年ばかりたつたとき、たうとうこの第六事務所が廃止になつてしまひました。といふわけは、もうみなさんもお気づきでせうが、四番書記の かま 猫は、上の方の三人の書記からひどく憎まれてゐましたし、ことに三番書記の三毛猫は、この かま 猫の仕事をじぶんがやつて見たくてたまらなくなつたのです。 かま 猫は、何とかみんなによく思はれようといろいろ工夫をしましたが、どうもかへつていけませんでした。
たとへば、ある日となりの虎猫(とらねこ)が、ひるのべんたうを、机の上に出してたべはじめようとしたときに、急にあくびに襲はれました。
そこで虎猫は、みじかい両手をあらんかぎり高く延ばして、ずゐぶん大きなあくびをやりました。これは猫仲間では、目上の人にも無礼なことでも何でもなく、人ならばまづ鬚(ひげ)でもひねるぐらゐのところですから、それはかまひませんけれども、いけないことは、足をふんばつたために、テーブルが少し坂になつて、べんたうばこがするするつと滑つて、たうとうがたつと事務長の前の床に落ちてしまつたのです。それはでこぼこではありましたが、アルミニユームでできてゐましたから、大丈夫こはれませんでした。そこで虎猫は急いであくびを切り上げて、机の上から手をのばして、それを取らうとしましたが、やつと手がかかるかかからないか位なので、べんたうばこは、あつちへ行つたりこつちへ寄つたり、なかなかうまくつかまりませんでした。
「君、だめだよ。とどかないよ。」と事務長の黒猫が、もしやもしやパンを喰べながら笑つて云ひました。その時四番書記の かま 猫も、ちやうどべんたうの蓋(ふた)を開いたところでしたが、それを見てすばやく立つて、弁当を拾つて虎猫に渡さうとしました。ところが虎猫は急にひどく怒り出して、折角 かま 猫の出した弁当も受け取らず、手をうしろに廻して、自暴(やけ)にからだを振りながらどなりました。
「何だい。君は僕にこの弁当を喰べろといふのかい。机から床の上へ落ちた弁当を君は僕に喰へといふのかい。」
「いいえ、あなたが拾はうとなさるもんですから、拾つてあげただけでございます。」
「いつ僕が拾はうとしたんだ。うん。僕はただそれが事務長さんの前に落ちてあんまり失礼なもんだから、僕の机の下へ押し込まうと思つたんだ。」
「さうですか。私はまた、あんまり弁当があつちこつち動くもんですから」
「何だと失敬な。決闘を」
「ジヤラジヤラジヤラジヤラン。」事務長が高くどなりました。これは決闘をしろと云つてしまはせない為(ため)に、わざと邪魔をしたのです。
「いや、喧嘩(けんくわ)するのはよしたまへ。 かま 猫君も虎猫君に喰べさせようといふんで拾つたんぢやなからう。それから今朝云ふのを忘れたが虎猫君は月給が十銭あがつたよ。」
虎猫は、はじめは恐(こは)い顔をしてそれでも頭を下げて聴いてゐましたが、たうとう、よろこんで笑ひ出しました。
「どうもおさわがせいたしましてお申しわけございません。」それからとなりの かま 猫をじろつと見て腰掛けました。
みなさんぼくは かま 猫に同情します。
それから又五六日たつて、丁度これに似たことが起つたのです。こんなことがたびたび起るわけは、一つは猫どもの無精なたちと、も一つは猫の前あし即(すなは)ち手が、あんまり短いためです。今度は向ふの三番書記の三毛猫が、朝仕事を始める前に、筆がポロポロころがつて、たうとう床に落ちました。三毛猫はすぐ立てばいいのを、骨惜みして早速前に虎猫(とらねこ)のやつた通り、両手を机越しに延ばして、それを拾ひ上げようとしました。今度もやつぱり届きません。三毛猫は殊にせいが低かつたので、だんだん乗り出して、たうとう足が腰掛けからはなれてしまひました。 かま 猫は拾つてやらうかやるまいか、この前のこともありますので、しばらくためらつて眼をパチパチさせて居ましたが、たうとう見るに見兼ねて、立ちあがりました。
ところが丁度この時に、三毛猫はあんまり乗り出し過ぎてガタンとひつくり返つてひどく頭をついて机から落ちました。それが大分ひどい音でしたから、事務長の黒猫もびつくりして立ちあがつて、うしろの棚から、気付けのアンモニア水の瓶(びん)を取りました。ところが三毛猫はすぐ起き上つて、かんしやくまぎれにいきなり、
「 かま 猫、きさまはよくも僕を押しのめしたな。」とどなりました。
今度はしかし、事務長がすぐ三毛猫をなだめました。
「いや、三毛君。それは君のまちがひだよ。
かま 猫君は好意でちよつと立つただけだ、君にさはりも何もしない。しかしまあ、こんな小さなことは、なんでもありやしないぢやないか。さあ、えゝとサントンタンの転居届けと。えゝ。」事務長はさつさと仕事にかかりました。そこで三毛猫も、仕方なく、仕事にかかりはじめましたがやつぱりたびたびこはい目をして かま 猫を見てゐました。
こんな工合(ぐあひ)ですから かま 猫はじつにつらいのでした。
かま 猫はあたりまへの猫にならうと何べん窓の外にねて見ましたが、どうしても夜中に寒くてくしやみが出てたまらないので、やつぱり仕方なく竈(かまど)のなかに入るのでした。
なぜそんなに寒くなるかといふのに皮がうすいためで、なぜ皮が薄いかといふのに、それは土用に生れたからです。やつぱり僕が悪いんだ、仕方ないなあと、 かま 猫は考へて、なみだをまん円な眼一杯にためました。
けれども事務長さんがあんなに親切にして下さる、それに かま 猫仲間のみんながあんなに僕の事務所に居るのを名誉に思つてよろこぶのだ、どんなにつらくてもぼくはやめないぞ、きつとこらへるぞと、 かま 猫は泣きながら、にぎりこぶしを握りました。
ところがその事務長も、あてにならなくなりました。それは猫なんていふものは、賢いやうでばかなものです。ある時、 かま 猫は運わるく風邪(かぜ)を引いて、足のつけねを椀(わん)のやうに腫(は)らし、どうしても歩けませんでしたから、たうとう一日やすんでしまひました。 かま 猫のもがきやうといつたらありません。泣いて泣いて泣きました。納屋の小さな窓から射(さ)し込んで来る黄いろな光をながめながら、一日一杯眼をこすつて泣いてゐました。
その間に事務所ではかういふ風でした。
「はてな、今日は かま 猫君がまだ来んね。遅いね。」と事務長が、仕事のたえ間に云ひました。
「なあに、海岸へでも遊びに行つたんでせう。」白猫が云ひました。
「いゝやどこかの宴会にでも呼ばれて行つたらう」虎猫(とらねこ)が云ひました。
「今日どこかに宴会があるか。」事務長はびつくりしてたづねました。猫の宴会に自分の呼ばれないものなどある筈(はず)はないと思つたのです。
「何でも北の方で開校式があるとか云ひましたよ。」
「さうか。」黒猫はだまつて考へ込みました。
「どうしてどうして かま 猫は、」三毛猫が云ひ出しました。「この頃(ごろ)はあちこちへ呼ばれてゐるよ。何でもこんどは、おれが事務長になるとか云つてるさうだ。だから馬鹿(ばか)なやつらがこはがつてあらんかぎりご機嫌(きげん)をとるのだ。」
「本たうかい。それは。」黒猫がどなりました。
「本たうですとも。お調べになつてごらんなさい。」三毛猫が口を尖(とがら)せて云ひました。
「けしからん。あいつはおれはよほど目をかけてやつてあるのだ。よし。おれにも考へがある。」
そして事務所はしばらくしんとしました。
さて次の日です。
かま 猫は、やつと足のはれが、ひいたので、よろこんで朝早く、ごうごう風の吹くなかを事務所へ来ました。するといつも来るとすぐ表紙を撫(な)でて見るほど大切な自分の原簿が、自分の机の上からなくなつて、向ふ隣り三つの机に分けてあります。
「ああ、昨日は忙がしかつたんだな、」 かま 猫は、なぜか胸をどきどきさせながら、かすれた声で独りごとしました。
ガタツ。扉(と)が開いて三毛猫がはひつて来ました。
「お早うございます。」 かま 猫は立つて挨拶(あいさつ)しましたが、三毛猫はだまつて腰かけて、あとはいかにも忙がしさうに帳面を繰つてゐます。ガタン。ピシヤン。虎猫がはひつて来ました。
「お早うございます。」 かま 猫は立つて挨拶しましたが、虎猫は見向きもしません。
「お早うございます。」三毛猫が云ひました。
「お早う、どうもひどい風だね。」虎猫もすぐ帳面を繰りはじめました。
ガタツ、ピシヤーン。白猫(しろねこ)が入つて来ました。
「お早うございます。」虎猫(とらねこ)と三毛猫が一緒に挨拶しました。
「いや、お早う、ひどい風だね。」白猫も忙がしさうに仕事にかかりました。その時 かま 猫は力なく立つてだまつておじぎをしましたが、白猫はまるで知らないふりをしてゐます。
ガタン、ピシヤリ。
「ふう、ずゐぶんひどい風だね。」事務長の黒猫が入つて来ました。
「お早うございます。」三人はすばやく立つておじぎをしました。 かま 猫もぼんやり立つて、下を向いたまゝおじぎをしました。
「まるで暴風だね、えゝ。」黒猫は、 かま 猫を見ないで斯(か)う言ひながら、もうすぐ仕事をはじめました。
「さあ、今日は昨日のつづきのアンモニアツクの兄弟を調べて回答しなければならん。二番書記、アンモニアツク兄弟の中で、南極へ行つたのは誰(たれ)だ。」仕事がはじまりました。 かま 猫はだまつてうつむいてゐました。原簿がないのです。それを何とか云ひたくつても、もう声が出ませんでした。
「パン、ポラリスであります。」虎猫が答へました。
「よろしい、パン、ポラリスを詳述せよ。」と黒猫が云ひます。ああ、これはぼくの仕事だ、原簿、原簿、と かま 猫はまるで泣くやうに思ひました。
「パン、ポラリス、南極探険の帰途、ヤツプ島沖にて死亡、遺骸(ゐがい)は水葬せらる。」一番書記の白猫が、 かま 猫の原簿で読んでゐます。 かま 猫はもうかなしくて、かなしくて頬(ほほ)のあたりが酸つぱくなり、そこらがきいんと鳴つたりするのをじつとこらへてうつむいて居(を)りました。
事務所の中は、だんだん忙しく湯の様になつて、仕事はずんずん進みました。みんな、ほんの時々、ちらつとこつちを見るだけで、たゞ一ことも云ひません。
そしておひるになりました。 かま 猫は、持つて来た弁当も喰べず、じつと膝(ひざ)に手を置いてうつむいて居りました。
たうとうひるすぎの一時
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