At one house they thought I was a thief, and set their dogs after me. As I ran away, I stumbled and fell a few times, and almost got bitten.

VII.
     One day I sold eleven subscriptions (and that wasn't easy), but I was still short of what the boss asked for by four subscriptions. I thought about trying to sell a few more before I returned to the shop but when I thought about the vicious dogs that had attacked me the day before, I couldn't get up enough nerve to go on.

     I was completely exhausted. When I returned to the shop it was ten minutes to ten. The newspaper delivery boys were all asleep and dreaming. Tanaka was still awake - - he immediately made space for me to sleep in. I slipped under the covers.

     "What's wrong?" It seemed as though he was constantly worrying about me. All I could do was shake my head in disapointment. I couldn't sleep all night. As usual, the bell rang in the middle of the night and everyone got out of bed and went downstairs. The room was filled with the sound of papers being folded. After I heard the downstairs doors shut, I was finally able to enjoy some peace and quiet. I had the room all to myself. I stretched out my arms and legs lazily.

     At first I though that I would concentrate on curling up and going back to sleep. I lay there staring into the darkness. I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't get yup until the newspaper delivery boys returned. I wanted to wait for the boss to come into the office so I could give hime the susbcription notes from the day before. Then I woyld go out again.

     I sat in my usual spot and looked out the small window. The sun had just come up and the road was bathed in a glorious light. The air outside was fresh and clear. I was used to living in the countryside - - after I came to live in the city the smoggy city air made me feel claustrophobic. I waited for the boss for quite a while before he finally arrived with his briefcase. I hurried downstairs and gave him the subscription notices from the day before.

     Although I hadn't solicited as many as he told me to, eleven subscriptions was many more than I could usually get. I had done my very best. I hadn't hoped that he would praise me, but I also hadn't expected him to treat me as severely as he did. He counted the subscriptions notices and said "Eleven? This isn't enoguh - - simply not enough!"