must they lose their children, they must lose them to things they don't

understand.' He spun the battleship in his fingers. 'These little gunboats here

could have been better glued, don't you think?'

 

'Perhaps. I think it looks fine.'

 

'During the war I spent some time on a ship rather like this. But my ambition

was always the air force. I figured it like this. If your ship was struck by the

enemy, all you could do was struggle in the water hoping for a lifeline. But in

an aeroplane - well - there was always the final weapon.' He put the model back

onto the table. 'I don't suppose you believe in war.'

 

'Not particularly.'

 

He cast an eye around the room.

 

7

 

'Supper should be ready by now,' he said. 'You must be hungry.'

 

Supper was waiting in a dimly lit room next to the kitchen. The only source of

light was a big lantern that hung over the table, casting the rest of the room

into shadow. We bowed to each other before starting the meal.

 

There was little conversation. When I made some polite comment about the food,