Summary

A few weeks after Chiyo’s meeting with Mameha, Mameha comes to pay a visit to Mother. Once the pleasantries are over, Mameha admits that she wants to discuss Chiyo, asking if perhaps she is ill as she hadn’t seen her at the school in some time. She offers to send for a doctor. Mother calls Chiyo in to confirm Mameha is talking about the right girl. She casually admits to having considered approaching Mother regarding becoming Chiyo’s older sister. Mameha and Mother haggle back and forth with Mameha commenting that Chiyo could probably have her debts paid by the time she is twenty. Mother is stunned and tries to take advantage of the situation, telling Mameha that if Chiyo paid her debts by the age of twenty, she would be willing to compensate her. Auntie sends Chiyo out to do...