“That’s a bit soon,” said the Master.
For a time the Master sat in the anteroom with Kumé and several others.
He talked of old times, of how as a boy he had gone to Kobé and at a naval
review seen electric lights for the first time.
“I’ve been forbidden to play billiards.” He got up laughing. “But a little
chess is permitted. Let’s be at it.”
The Master’s “little” was not likely to be very little.
“Maybe we should make it mahjong,” said Kumé, challenged to yet
another battle. “You don’t have to use your head so much.”
The Master had only porridge and a salted plum for lunch.
