Wakefield(G.Gissing's birthplace)

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9th May
When I said to myself that I would go to Wakefield by bus, the landlady came to me and said, "When are you going to leave?"
Why?...　I was going to stay here another night.　I wondered whether she meant 3 nights including the night before last, when I stayed at Haworth.
I explained the meaning of 3 nights when her daughter showed me into the room.　I did make sure of that again when I paid the charge.　I said slowly to the landlady as if I had been putting such meaning into English.　I explained again and again restraining my anger, with great anxiety but with eagerness.
Though my listening ability wasn't good, it seemed that she wanted me to leave at once because there was an unexpected reservation of a party.
My first impression of her wasn't good.　There wasn't a towel in the room.　Hot water didn't flow out.　The rubbish bin wasn't cleared.　That was the worst of all the guesthouses I had ever stayed at.
I made up my mind to leave the guesthouse and look for another one.　So I told her to pay four pounds back to me.　She told me to follow her and began to walk out with five pounds in her hand.　I wondered if I could make myself understood.　 I thought she would recommend a guesthouse for me.　On the way she asked me if I was a student.　I didn't dare to answer her.
You could judge a person from his(her) looks and his(her) accents.　I became very sensitive to the looks of a person during this travel.　The landlady didn't look kindhearted when I saw her first.
I followed the landlady without responding to her.　　She said to me, "I'm sorry." a little before we got to BLENHEIM HOTEL.　It was located in about five minutes' walk.
I'm goint to stay here tonight.


We had a set of dark clouds all day long today.　The bus left Bradford at 9:50 a.m. and arrived at Wakefield about an hour later.　At 5:10 p.m., I got on a bus in the fine rain.　When I came back to Bradford at 6:05 p.m., a dense fog rolled over the city.
The mere thought of that happening this morning makes me feel sick.　But I was cordially received in Wakefield.
A woman in the Information Bureau was very kind enough to show me the way to the library.　She also telephoned to make inquiries.　I asked whether there was a map for tourists.　She said, "We are sorry, but I could lead you to the library."　 I thanked her very much for such a kind consideration, but I walked alone to the library: Wakefield Metropolitan District Libraries West Riding County Library, Headquarters: Balne Lane Wakefield.
I found the library easily.　I entered at the door.　When I said to a young woman at the counter that I came there to have better knowlege of George Gissing, I got sight of the faint change of her looks.
I might be wrong in the imagination of my own free will, but I dare to think as follows:
She must be interested in Gissing.　A look of pleasure came over her face when she heard me say George Gissing.
She led me to the room: Gissing Collection.　She said, "His birthplace is just near here.　Will you go there?"　She showed me a street map and directed me to the Gissing's birthplace: 60, Westgate and 2&4, Thompson's Yard.
I was in the room from about 11a.m. till 3 p.m.　"The Foolish Virgin" by G.Gissing and "Apple Blossom in Brittany" by E.Dowson were printed in "The Yellow Book" published in 1949.　I went downstairs to have the two short stories copied.　 The young woman at the counter was ready and willing to copy them.　I found her signature, M.Hargreaves, in the receipt I got.
I thanked her very much for getting a cordial reception and went out.
Is it exaggeration to say that she is an angel when I think of the landlady?.....


I got to Gissing's birthplace easily.　Noboy seemed to live there.　I found the rear part of the building broken and pieces of brick exposed. There were a few cars parked in the vacant site.　　 I hoped the building would be an Information Center of G.Gissing.




I find it significant that I have come to Yorkshire.　After this travel, that is to say, after the stay in England for three months, I might live a new life, and I think I will do so.
About six years ago, I left the science course.　After that, I studied English literature at a college for foreign studies.　I don't know clearly what was the necessity of changing the course in my life, but I think there must have been some kind of necessity.　I did choose the new course.
Now I feel my heart being filled with something new.　I'll keep this kind of richness in mind.


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