'Why, of course. Do you see it otherwise?'

 

'No, no. Of course not.'

 

'There are other things besides work.'

 

'Yes.'

 

We fell silent again. The sound of locusts came in from the garden. I looked out

into the darkness. The well was no longer visible.

 

'What do you think you will do now?' my father asked. 'Will you stay in Japan

for a while?'

 

'To be honest, I hadn't thought that far ahead.'

 

'If you wish to stay here, I mean here in this house, you would be very welcome.

That is, if you don't mind living with an old man.'

 

'Thank you. I'll have to think about it.'

 

I gazed out once more into the darkness.

 

'But of course,' said my father, 'this house is so dreary now. You'll no doubt

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