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Updated: June 8, 2025
Already the daughter could see that her mother too must have loved rich and beautiful things, happiness and laughter. Old Mr. Fujinami had called her "the Semi." Asako did not yet know the voice of the little insects which are the summer and autumn orchestra of Japan. But she knew that it must be something happy and sweet; or they would not have told her.
"What is your name?" he asked Asako; "what is your age? your father's and mother's name? What is your address? Are you married? Where is your husband? How long have you known this man? Were you on familiar terms? Did you kill him? How did you kill him? Why did you kill him?" The questions buzzed round Asako's head like a swarm of hornets.
Everywhere beggars were crawling over the compound in various states of filth. Some, however, were so ghastly that they were excluded from the temple enclosure. They had lined up among the trunks of the cryptomeria trees, among the little grey tombs with their fading inscriptions and the moss-covered statues of kindly Buddhas. Asako gave a penny into the crooked hand of one poor sightless wretch.
Then he would go into politics. But the advent of Asako suggested a short cut to his hopes. If he married her he would gain immediate control of a large interest in the Fujinami estate. Besides she had all the qualifications for the wife of a Cabinet Minister, knowledge of foreign languages, ease in foreign society, experience of foreign dress and customs.
If I had a husband, I would always fear he kiss somebody else." "That is why I am so happy with Geoffrey," said Asako, "I know he would never love any one but me." "It is not safe to be so sure," said her cousin darkly, "a woman is made for one man, but a man is made for many women."
It rested her to lie thus and look at her country. From time to time Sadako would steal into the room. Her cousin would leave the invalid in silence, but she always smiled; and she would bring some offering with her, a dish of food Asako's favorite dishes, of which Tanaka had already compiled a complete list or sometimes a flower. Asako gradually accustomed herself to the noises of the house.
"But of course you will. I laugh because you are so like Kikuyé San." Kikuyé San was their teacher. "If only I could practise by myself!" said Asako, "but at the hotel it would be impossible."
Next evening, when Asako had spread the two quilts on the golden matting, when she had lit the rushlight in the square andon, when the two girls were lying side by side under the heavy wadded bedclothes, Sadako said to her cousin: "Asa Chan, I do not think you like me now as much as you used to like me."
He was most agreeable, however, and most courteous. He amused Asako with stories of his experiences abroad. He admired the pretty little house and its position on the river bank; and, when he bowed his thanks for Asako's hospitality, he expressed a wish that he might come again many times in future.
"I'm sorry, little Asako!" he said, very gently. "You are quite right. It was a mistake. Good-bye, and God bless you always!" With immense relief and gratitude she took the giant's paw in her own tiny hand. It seemed to have lost its grip, to have become like a Japanese hand. He opened the door for her. Once again, as on the altar-steps of St.
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