A Pale View of Hills Read Online Free PDF Page B

talking at the entryway, and I became aware of Jim and Ogata-San looking towards us. I introduced Sachiko, and they all bowed to each other.
    “This is worrying.” Ogata-San said. “Perhaps we’d better phone the police straight away.”
    “There’s no need for that,” said Sachiko. “I’m sure I’ll find her.”
    But perhaps it’s best to be safe and phone anyway."
    “No really—a slight hint of irritation had entered Sachiko’s voic—“there’s no need. I’m sure l’ll find her”
    “I’ll help you look for her,” I said, starting to put on my jacket.
    My husband looked at me disapprovingly. He seemed about to speak, but then stopped himself. In the end, he said: “It’s almost dark now.”
    “Really, Etsuko, there’s no need to make such a fuss,” Sachiko was saying. But if you don’t mind coming out for a minute, I’ll be most grateful.”
    “Take care, Etsuko,” Ogata-San said. “And phone the police if you don’t find the child soon”
    We descended the flight of stairs. Outside it was still warm, and across the wasteground the sun had sunk very low, highlighting the muddy furrows.
    ‘Have you looked around the housing precinct?” I asked.
    “No, not yet”
    “Let’s look then.” I began to walk rapidly. “Does Mariko have friends she may be with?”
    ‘I don’t think so. Really, Etsuko”—Sachiko laughed and put a hand on my arm—‘there’s no need to be so alarmed. Nothing will have happened to her. In fad, Etsuko, I really came round because I wanted to tell you Some news. You see, it’s all been settled at last. We’re leaving for America within the next few days.”
    “America?” Perhaps because of Sachiko’s hand on my arn, perhaps out of sheer surprise, I stopped walking.
    “Yes, America. You’ve no doubt heard of such a place.” She seemed pleased at my astonishment.
    I began to walk again. Our precinct was an expanse of paved concrete, interrupted occasionally by thin young trees planted when the buildings had gone up. Above us, lights had come on in most of the windows.
    “Aren’t you going to ask me anything more?” Sachiko said, catching up with me. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m going? And who I’m going with?”
    “I’m very glad if this is what you wanted,” I said. ‘But perhaps we should find your daughter lust.”
    “Etsuko, you must understand there’s nothing I’m ashamed of. There’s nothing I want to hide from anyone. Please ask me anything you want, I’m not ashamed.”
    “I thought perhaps we should find your daughter first.
    We can talk later.”
    “Very well, Etsuko,” she said, with a laugh. “Let’s find Mariko first.”
    We searched the playing areas and walked around each of the apartment blocks. Soon we found ourselves back where we had started. Then I spotted two women talking by the main entrance to one of the apartment blocks.
    “Perhaps those ladies over there could help us,” I said. Sachiko did not move. She looked over towards the two women, then said: “I doubt it.”
    “But they may have seen her. They may have seen your daughter.”
    Sachiko continued to look at the women. Then she gave a short laugh and shrugged. “Very well,” she said. “Let’s give them something to gossip about. It’s no concern of mine.”
    We walked over to them and Sachiko politely and calmly made her enquiries. The women exchanged concerned looks, but neither had seen the little girl. Sachiko assured them there was no cause for alarm, and we our leave.
    “I’m sure that made their day,” she said to me. ‘Now they’ll have something to talk about.”
    “I’m sure they had no malicious thoughts whatsoever. They both seemed genuinely concerned.”
    “You’re so kind, Etsuko, but there’s really no need to convince me of such things. You see, it’s never been any concern to me what people like that thought, and care even less now.”
    We stopped walking. I threw a glance around me, and up at the apartment