An English Writer

er, 37th St

dwellers suffered in the heat. Lin was no exception. He was now experiencing the int

ensity of the heat more because he wore a long-sleeved, collarless white shirt, and a blu

he heat. Some had chosen to sit under the fan to alleviate the heat. Even the teashop owne

rby offices. She was a bit busy with that, and wore her usual stern face. At that moment, Lin turned his look from the owne

k for some money. She was a bit hesitant to come nearer to him. The tea drinker declined to offer t

n so as to feel more relaxed. He looked around for the other fan in the t

his cup, paid the money for the drink, and stepped

t of one or two stray dogs relieving themselv

em, feeling pitiful. Later, he consoled himself that it was a common sight to see stray dogs in groups, h

the lying dog which cocked its head at whoever came in its di

ing into his nostrils when he was close to the edge of them. Just then, a big

mposure unbalanced, at which two girls who walked past him gig

at down on him mercilessly. Sweat began to roll from his dimples

t. Last time, when he was in one of the old book shops, he found a rare book writte

ook. Lin was in the habit of collecting old books at his home so most of his friends referred to

interesting: only cheap fiction, old journals, and magazines. S

the untidy cluster of books. He squatted in front of the shop and starte

to take it out. He read the title which said “Rainbow Land and Other Burma Verses

rned the pages he found several poems. He also noticed the

eem to notice. Apparently, it was the bookseller and he stood reading today’s journal. The booksel

in his hand. He showed it to the man and asked, “Oolay, do you kno

ignation as if Lin was interrupting his solo enjoyment of reading. He

spect of doing business. It seemed that the man was short-tempered. Lin noticed this be

directly rather than trying to evade it.

as if he wanted to charge upon him. Lin put the book forward to the man who looke

g a book. Lin got the point, and took out a 5,000 kyat note, and gave it

hen he reached home, he would read it for enjoyment. Normally, he coll