King Rat

“The other women told me not to worry. The Japanese would never do such a thing. Others said, if you get the chance, don’t hesitate. After a week, I was sent for by the Colonel again. He was very kind and asked how I was. I told him, weeping, about Saito and the hospital and he was upset and shook his head and told me it was a pity, but he had no jurisdiction over me while I was in the school and that Saito was not in his command but had others who commanded him. But, Saito interpreted, if I wanted to live in the Colonel’s house, the Colonel would arrange it. He says he is sorry that you have been shown these things. ‘And,’ Saito added, ‘I am sorry too. But I have to obey orders.’

“I screamed at him that I’d never live with him and they could do what they liked but I’d never, ever, go willingly. Never. The Colonel was kind and waited till my tears and agony had stopped. Then he gave me a little food and I was sent back to the schoolhouse.

“Days went by, Angus began to weaken. I just could not see him die, and he surely was going to die. So one day I asked the guards if I could see the Colonel. But the Colonel was away. I was beside myself with anxiety and then two weeks later I was sent for. I admit I was so happy to see him. I begged him to get a doctor for Angus, I said I would do anything, but please, please get a doctor for Angus.

“‘The Colonel says,’ said Saito, ‘he does not want you to do anything against your will. He only wants to help you because he likes you. And he wants you to like him.’

“‘I do,’ I told him. ‘Please help my son.’

“I can see the Colonel so clearly that day, so neat and clean and gentle. I know I begged him to the limit of begging, and then at length he gave me a cigarette. He went over to Angus who was fitfully asleep on the couch and examined him. Then he picked up the phone and in a little while a doctor arrived. They wanted to take Angus into hospital but I wouldn’t let them take him without me. ‘I beg you,’ I said to the Colonel, ‘I beg you let me stay with him till he’s well. Then I will be better too. Look. I’m not strong and I’m tired out and I’ve lost nearly thirty pounds. Please be patient. Two weeks then I’ll be fit again. Just give me fruit and good food and let me look after Angus, please, please.’ I was on my knees to him.

“For two weeks we had a lovely room in the hospital. They gave Angus the best of attention. He had fresh milk every day and a nurse, night and day. They fed me and gave us the drugs we needed. Then the day came. A chauffeured car arrived. Saito was most polite. There was the amah in the car and she took Angus and carried him against her as soft as any mother. Then we were brought to this house. The house is large and the garden wonderful and it sits on the edge of the coast. And then that night, the Colonel came home.

“We had dinner in silence—Saito, the Colonel, and I—on the veranda. When we were drinking coffee the Colonel said something to Saito. Saito smiled at me and said, ‘Please follow me.’

“I followed him into the master bedroom. He showed me the clothes hanging in the closets, dozens and dozens of lovely things. ‘These are for you,’ he said. ‘You are to wear them and consider this house as your home. The amah is yours to hire—or fire if you wish. For your own protection you are not to leave the house without one of the guards who are permanently posted at the gates. But with the guard you are free to go, wherever you wish.’

“As he showed me the house he continued with instructions. ‘The Colonel has ordered that this is a trial arrangement. If you please each other, then the arrangement may last. And, presuming this to be a long and happy relationship, the Colonel has ordered that you are to learn Japanese immediately. As and from this date, you will speak the language of the Imperial Japanese conquerors. This is the only language, other than Malay—which you will speak to the servants—that you may speak. The child will be brought up as a ward of the Colonel’s. And I am to instruct you both in Japanese and Japanese customs.’

“When we got back to the veranda, I tried to smile at the Colonel, and whispered, ‘Thank you.’ Saito corrected me immediately. ‘You must say, Domo arigato.’

“‘Domo arigato,’ I said. These were the first Japanese words I ever spoke.

“Then the Colonel said something to Saito. Both men got up. The Colonel bowed formally and Saito said, ‘We must now bid you good evening, madam. The Colonel regrets that he must leave for Palembang tonight for two weeks. He asks that you make yourself welcome in your new home. I will be back at ten o’clock tomorrow—is that convenient? Good,—to begin your lessons. Thank you, madam.’