? a teachers? periodical I?d never heard of it, it wasn?t in existence in my days. To read it, you?d think all the teachers in Japan were communists now.?
?Apparently communism is growing the country,? my husband said.
?Your friend Shigeo Matsuda had written in it. Now imagine my surprise when I saw my name mentioned in his article. I didn?t think I was so noteworthy these days.?
?I?m sure Father is still remembered very well in Nagasaki,? I put in.
?It was quite extraordinary. He was talking about Dr Endo and myself, about our retirements. If I understood him correctly, he was implying that the profession was well rid of us. In fact, he went so far as to suggest we should have been dismissed at the end of the war. Quite extraordinary.?
?Are you sure it?s the same Shigeo Matsuda?? asked Jim.
?The same one. From Kuriyama Highschool. Extraordinary. I remember when he used to come to our house, to play with you. Your mother used to spoil him. I asked the librarian if I could buy a copy, and she said she would order one for me. I?ll show it to you.?
?It seems very disloyal,? I said.
?I was so surprised,? Ogata-San said, turning to me. ?And I was the one who introduced him to the headmaster at Kuriyama.?
Jiro drank up his tea and wiped his mouth with his napkin. ?It?s very regrettable. As I say, I haven?t seen Shigeo for some Lime. I?m sorry, Father, but you must excuse me now or I?ll be late?
?Why certainly. Have a good day at work.?
Jim stepped down to the entryway, where he started to put on his shoes. I said to Ogata-San: ?Someone who reached your position, Father, must expect a little criticism. That?s only natural.?
?Of course,? he said, breaking out into a laugh. ?No, don?t concern yourself about it, Etsuko. I hadn?t given it a second thought. I just happened to think of it because Jim was going to his reunion. I wonder if Endo read the article.?
?1 hope you have a good day, Father,? Jiro called from the entryway. ?I?ll try to be back a little early if I can.?
?Nonsense, don?t make such a fuss. Your work is important.?
A little later that morning, Ogata-San emerged from his room dressed in his jacket and tie.
?Are you going out, Father?? I asked.
?1 thought I?d just pay a visit to Dr Endo.
?Dr Endo??
?Yes, I thought I?d go and see how he was keeping these days.?
?But you?re not going before lunch, are you??
?1 thought I?d better go quite soon,? he said, looking at
his watch. ?Endo lives a little way outside Nagasaki now. I?ll need to get a train.?
?Well, let me pack you a lunch-box, it won?t take a minute.?
?Why, thank you, Etsuko. In that case I?ll wait a few minutes. In fact, I was hoping you?d offer to pack me lunch.?
?Then you should have asked,? [said, getting to my feet. ?You won?t always get what you want just by hinting like that, Father.?
?But I knew you?d pick me up correctly, Etsuko. I have faith in you.?
I went through to the kitchen, put on some sandals and stepped down to the tiled floor, A few minutes later, the partition slid open and Ogata-San appeared at the doorway. He seated himself at the threshold to watch me working.
?What is that you?re cooking me there??
?Nothing much. Just left-overs from last night. At such short notice, you don?t deserve any better.?
?And yet you?ll manage to turn it into something quite appetizing, I?m sure. What?s that you?re doing with the egg? That?s not a left-over too, is it??
?I?m adding an omelette. You?re very fortunate, Father, I?m in such a generous mood.?
?An omelette. You must teach me how to do that. Is it difficult??
?Extremely difficult. It would be hopeless you trying to learn at this stage.?
?But I?m very keen to learn. And what do you mean ?at this stage? I?m still young enough to learn many new things.?
?Are you really planning on becoming a cook, Father??
?It?s nothing to laugh at. I?ve come to appreciate cooking over the years. It?s an art, I?m convinced of it, just as noble as painting or poetry. It?s not appreciated simply because the product disappears so quickly.?
?Persevere with painting, Father. You do it much better.??
?Painting.? He gave a sigh. ?It doesn?t give me the satisfaction it once did. No, I think I should learn to cook omelettes as well as you do, Etsuko. You must show me before [go back to Fukuoka.?
?You wouldn?t think it such an art once you?d learnt how it was done. Perhaps women should keep these things secret.?? -
