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alconies, <strong>the</strong> soar<strong>in</strong>g yet modern columns, <strong>the</strong> pastel colors, <strong>the</strong> uses of varied textures . . . it all<br />
made up a work of art. He could remember when this had been noth<strong>in</strong>g but rubble from <strong>the</strong> war.<br />
The small Japanese children out play<strong>in</strong>g watched him without comment, <strong>the</strong>n returned to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
football or baseball. But, he thought, not so <strong>the</strong> adults; <strong>the</strong> well-dressed young Japanese, park<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir cars or enter<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> apartment build<strong>in</strong>gs, noticed him with greater <strong>in</strong>terest. Did he live here?<br />
<strong>the</strong>y were perhaps wonder<strong>in</strong>g. Young Japanese bus<strong>in</strong>essmen com<strong>in</strong>g home from <strong>the</strong>ir offices. . .<br />
even <strong>the</strong> heads of Trade Missions lived here. He noticed parked Cadillacs. As <strong>the</strong> pedecab took him<br />
closer to his dest<strong>in</strong>ation, he became <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly nervous.<br />
Very shortly, as he ascended <strong>the</strong> stairs to <strong>the</strong> Kasouras' apartment, he thought, Here I am, not<br />
<strong>in</strong>vited <strong>in</strong> a bus<strong>in</strong>ess context, but a d<strong>in</strong>ner guest. He had of course taken special pa<strong>in</strong>s with his<br />
attire; at least he could be confident of his appearance. My appearance, he thought. Yes, that is it.<br />
How do I appear? There is no deceiv<strong>in</strong>g anyone; I do not belong here. On this land that white men<br />
cleared and built one of <strong>the</strong>ir f<strong>in</strong>est cities. I am an outsider <strong>in</strong> my own country.<br />
He came to <strong>the</strong> proper door along <strong>the</strong> carpeted hall, rang <strong>the</strong> bell. Presently <strong>the</strong> door opened.<br />
There stood young Mrs. Kasoura, <strong>in</strong> a silk kimono and obi, her long black hair <strong>in</strong> sh<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g tangle<br />
down her neck, smil<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> welcome. Beh<strong>in</strong>d her <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g room, her husband, with dr<strong>in</strong>k <strong>in</strong><br />
hand, nodd<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
'Mr. Childan. Enter.'<br />
Bow<strong>in</strong>g, he entered.<br />
Tasteful <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> extreme. And — so ascetic. Few pieces. A lamp here, table, bookcase, pr<strong>in</strong>t on<br />
<strong>the</strong> wall. The <strong>in</strong>credible Japanese sense of wabi. It could not be thought <strong>in</strong> English. The ability to<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong> simple objects a beauty beyond that of <strong>the</strong> elaborate or ornate. Someth<strong>in</strong>g to do with <strong>the</strong><br />
arrangement.<br />
'A dr<strong>in</strong>k?' Mr. Kasoura asked. 'Scotch and soda?'<br />
'Mr. Kasoura — ' he began.<br />
'Paul,' <strong>the</strong> young Japanese said. Indicat<strong>in</strong>g his wife. 'Betty. And you are — '<br />
Mr. Childan murmured, 'Robert.'<br />
Seated on <strong>the</strong> soft carpet with <strong>the</strong>ir dr<strong>in</strong>ks, <strong>the</strong>y listened to a record<strong>in</strong>g of koto, Japanese thirteenstr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
harp. It was newly released by Japanese HMV, and quite popular. Childan noticed that all<br />
parts of <strong>the</strong> phonograph were concealed, even <strong>the</strong> speaker. He could not tell where <strong>the</strong> sound came<br />
from.<br />
'Not know<strong>in</strong>g your appetites <strong>in</strong> d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g,' Betty said, 'we have played safe. In kitchen electric oven<br />
is broil<strong>in</strong>g T-bone 'steak. Along with this, baked potato with sauce of sour cream and chives.<br />
Maxim utters: no one can err <strong>in</strong> serv<strong>in</strong>g steak to new-found guest first time.'<br />
'Very gratify<strong>in</strong>g,' Childan said. 'Quite fond of steak.' And that certa<strong>in</strong>ly was so. He rarely had it.<br />
The great stockyards from <strong>the</strong> Middle West did not send out much to <strong>the</strong> West Coast any more. He<br />
could not recall when he had last had a good steak.<br />
It was time for him to graft guest gift.<br />
From his coat pocket he brought small tissue-paperwrapped th<strong>in</strong>g. He laid it discreetly on <strong>the</strong><br />
low table. Both of <strong>the</strong>m immediately noticed, and this required him to say, 'Bagatelle for you. To<br />
display fragment of <strong>the</strong> relaxation and enjoyment I feel <strong>in</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g here.'<br />
His hand opened <strong>the</strong> tissue paper, show<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> gift. Bit of ivory carved a century ago by<br />
whalers from New England. T<strong>in</strong>y ornamented art object, called a scrimshaw. Their faces<br />
illum<strong>in</strong>ated with knowledge of <strong>the</strong> scrimshaws which <strong>the</strong> old sailors had made <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir spare time.<br />
No s<strong>in</strong>gle th<strong>in</strong>g could have summed up old U.S. culture more.<br />
Silence.