Saitama

Itoh had unexpectedly come home early, just as his wife and Michiko were about to sit down to their dinner.

Flustered, Mrs. Itoh hurriedly put out an extra dish of pickled vegetables and some cold dumplings, while Michiko set another place at the table.

Mrs. Itoh gave her husband news of his children and grandchildren and the day's domestic events. Itoh for the most part listened silently, concentrating on his food.

Michiko, who was beginning to feel like a prisoner of the Itohs' hospitality, ate little. Noriko had gone to visit an octogenarian aunt, who lived near Kyoto, and would not return for at least a week.