Fifteen

The atmosphere at Suezō’s house settled into a ponderous gloom. Sometimes Otsune did nothing but stare blankly into the air, neglecting the children completely. When they came to ask her for something, she would instantly start scolding them vehemently. After she had scolded them she would suddenly realize what she had done and apologize or sit weeping alone. If the maid inquired what to prepare for supper, Otsune would make no reply, or say, “Fix anything you like.” Although Suezō’s children were ostracized by their classmates at school because of their father’s profession, Suezo, fastidious as he was, had always