“Nagao-Sama, (1) my betrothed, we were promised to each other from the
time of our childhood; and we were to have been married at the end of
this year. But now I am going to die;—the gods know what is best for
us. If I were able to live for some years longer, I could only continue
to be a cause of trouble and grief for others. With this frail body, I
could not be a good wife; and therefore even to wish to live, for your
sake, would be a very selfish wish. I am quite resigned to die; and I
want you to promise that you will not grieve... Besides, I want to tell
you that I think we shall meet again.”...
“Indeed we shall meet again,” Nagao answered earnestly. “And in that
Pure Land (2) there will be no pain of separation.”
“Nay, nay!” she responded softly, “I meant not the Pure Land. I believe
that we are destined to meet again in this world,—although I shall be
buried to-morrow.”
Nagao looked at her wonderingly, and saw her smile at his wonder. She
continued, in her gentle, dreamy voice,—
“Yes, I mean in this world,—in your own present life, Nagao-Sama...
Providing, indeed, that you wish it. Only, for this thing to happen, I
must again be born a girl, and grow up to womanhood. So you would have
to wait. Fifteen—sixteen years: that is a long time... But, my promised
husband, you are now only nineteen years old.”...