A Case of Child Murder
57
- Tsugi.—Yes, Papa, you are right. To think that a life should be destroyed, when we so badly miss our little Ken-chan!
- Koyama.—The poor little baby was strangled to death with a towel perhaps. Its little throat was all bruised and blue.
- Tsugi.-Oh, what a cruel and wicked deed! Its murderer must have been heartless and vile.
- Koyama.—One who has never lost a dear one cannot understand what a joy and blessing it is to live. The man who kills his own child, even though it may be a new-born baby, must be a devil. The thought of arresting such a criminal makes my old body and nerves active again. Please give me a cup of tea.
- Tsugi.—Have you finished your supper?
- Koyama.—This pickled radish is a bit over-salted.
- Tsugi.—Yes, I know it is. Papa, you seem so tired. You had better go and take your bath now, and then go to bed.
- Koyama.—I don’t want to take one to-day. You had better go instead, for it is several days since you have been to the bath-house.
- Tsugi.—All right, I will go now.
- Koyama.—You had better go at once, for this neighbourhood is rather unsafe late in the evening, and I feel uneasy when you go out alone after dark.
- Tsugi.—Then I will go at once.
- Koyama.—Take care of yourself. (He takes a note-book from his pocket and begins to write in it.)
