keeping the light before his eyes he dragged his weary, aching feet as quickly as he could towards the spot, and soon came to a miserable-looking little cottage. as he drew near he saw that it was in a tumble-down condition, the bamboo fence was broken and weeds and grass pushed their way through the gaps. the paper screens which serve as windows and doors in japan were full of holes, and the posts of the house were bent with age and seemed scarcely able to support the old thatched roof. the hut was open, and by the light of an old lantern an old woman sat industriously spinning.