2

 

'I'm sorry to hear about the firm,' I said when neither of us had spoken for

some time. He nodded gravely.

 

'In fact the story didn't end there,' he said. 'After the firm's collapse,

Watanabe killed himself. He didn't wish to live with the disgrace.'

 

'I see.'

 

'We were partners for seventeen years. A man of principle and honour. I

respected him very much.'

 

'Will you go into business again?' I asked.

 

'I am - in retirement. I'm too old to involve myself in new ventures now.

Business these days has become so different. Dealing with foreigners. Doing

things their way. I don't understand how we've come to this. Neither did

Watanabe.' He sighed. 'A fine man. A man of principle.'

 

The tea-room looked out over the garden. From where I sat I could make out the

ancient well which as a child I had believed haunted. It was just visible now

through the thick foliage. The sun had sunk low and much of the garden had

fallen into shadow.