Sections 53-69 Summary

In Section 53, Shonagon writes more about Tadanobu. Shonagon spends some time away from the palace and Tadanobu finds Norimitsu to ask where she has gone. Norimitsu isn't sure whether or not Shonagon wants him to give personal information to Tadanobu. Shonagon and Norimitsu send letters back and forth to one another, but Norimitsu misunderstands one of Shonagon's letters and acts very coldly toward her. Section 54 is a two-line entry describing things that give a pathetic impression. Section 55 is a short description of a brief interaction between Shonagon and the Empress.

Section 56 is a longer story about a beggar woman who comes to the Empress's palace to ask for clothing and leftovers from the priests. All of the ladies-in-waiting are annoyed with her, but the Empress sends one of her own robes to the woman. After this gesture, the woman comes every...