I looked at the child for a second. Then a thought struck me and I laughed.
?But that was me, Mariko-San. Don?t you remember? I asked you to come to my house while your mother was away in the town.?
Mariko looked up at me again. ?Not you,? she said. ?The other woman. The woman from across the river. She was here last night. While Mother was away.? - I
?Last night? While your mother was away?? -
?She said she?d take me to her house, but i didn?t go with her. Because it was dark. She said we could take the lantern with us? ? she gestured towards a lantern hung on the
wall ? ?but I didn?t go with her. Because it was dark.?
Behind me, Sachiko had got to her feet and was looking at her daughter. Mariko became silent, then turned away and began once more to stroke her cat.
?Let?s go out on the veranda,? Sachiko said to me. She was holding the tea things on a tray. ?It?s cooler out there.?
We did as she suggested, leaving Mariko in her corner. From the veranda, the river itself was hidden from view, but I could see where the ground sloped down and the mud became wetter as it approached the water. Sachiko seated herself on a cushion and began to pour the tea.
?The place is alive with stray cats,? she said. ?I?m not so optimistic about these kittens.
?Yes, there are so many strays,? I said. ?It?s such a shame. Did Mariko find her cat around here somewhere??
?No, we brought that creature with us. I?d have preferred to leave it behind myself, but Mariko wouldn?t hear of it.?
?You brought it all the wayftg3o??
?Oh no. We?ve been living in Nagasaki for almost a year now. On the other side of the city.?
?Oh really? I didn?t realize that. You lived there with
with friends??
Sachiko stopped pouring and looked at me, the teapot held in both hands. I saw in her gaze something of that amused expression with which she had observed me on that earlier occasion.
?I?m afraid you?re quite wrong, Etsuko,? she said, eventually. Then she began to pour the tea again. ?We were staying at my uncle?s house.?
?I assure you, I was merely…?
?Yes, of course. So there?s no need to get embarrassed, is there?? She laughed and passed me my teacup. ?I?m sorry, Etsuko, I don?t mean to tease you. As a matter of fact, I did have something to ask you. A little favour.? Sachiko began to pour tea into her own cup, and as she did so, a more serious air seemed to enter her manner. Then she put down the teapot and looked at me. ?You see, Etsuko, certain arrangements I made have not gone as planned. As a result, I find myself in need of money. Not a great deal, you understand Just a small amount.?
?I quite understand,? I said, lowering my voice. ?It must be very difficult for you, with Mariko-San to think of.?
?Etsuko, may task a favour of you??
I bowed. ?I have some savings of my own? I said, almost in a whisper. ?I?d be pleased to be of some assistance.?
To my surprise, Sachiko laughed loudly. ?You?re very kind,? she said. ?But I didn?t in fact want you to lend me money. I had something else in mind. You mentioned something the other day. A friend of yours who ran a noodle shop.?
?Mrs. Fujiwara, you mean??
?You were saying she may want an assistant. A small job like that would be very useful tome.?
?Well,?I said,certainly ?I could enquire if you wish?
?That would be very kind.? Sachiko looked at me for a moment. ?But you look rather unsure about it, Etsuko,?
?Not at all. I?ll enquire when I next see her. But I was just wondering? ? I lowered my voice again ? ?who would look after your daughter during the day??
?Mariko? She could help at the noodle shop. She?s quite capable of being useful.?
?I?m sure she is. But you see, I?m not certain how Mrs. Fujiwara would feel. After all, Mariko should in reality beat school during the day.?
?I assure you, Etsuko, Mariko won?t be the slightest problem. Besides, the schools are closing next week. And I?ll make sure she wont get in the way. You can rest assured
on that.?
I bowed again. ?I?ll enquire when I next see her.?
?I?m very grateful to you.? Sachiko took a sip from her teacup. ?In fact, perhaps I could ask you to see your Mend within the next few days.?
?p11 try.??
?You?re so kind.?
We fell silent for a moment. My attention had been caught earlier by Sachiko?s teapot; it appeared a fine piece
of craftsmanship made from a pale china. The teacup! now held in my hand was of the same delicate material.
