one day there was much excitement in the home, for the father had been suddenly summoned to the capital on business. in these days of railways and jinrickshas and other rapid modes of traveling, it is difficult to realize what such a journey as that from matsuyama to kyoto meant. the roads were rough and bad, and ordinary people had to walk every step of the way, whether the distance were one hundred or several hundred miles. indeed, in those days it was as great an undertaking to go up to the capital as it is for a japanese to make a voyage to europe now.