Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/159

Rh The judge then called in the assistant Chinese who had been a member of the party even before Fan had joined it.

“Tell me something of Fan’s everyday behaviour,” said the judge.

“He is a man of very good behaviour, your honour,” answered the assistant. “He never went in for gambling, he never indulged in women or drinking either. Moreover, ever since last year he has embraced the Christian faith. He also spoke English fairly well and in his leisure time he often read sermons and such things.”

“How did his wife behave?”

“She also behaved well, your honour. Strolling performers are not always people of good behaviour, you know. Some of them occasionally elope with other men’s wives. But Fan’s wife was never the kind of woman who could be seduced by anyone at all, even though she was a pretty woman and was sometimes made advances to.”

“What is your opinion of the characters of these two young people?”

“They were both exceedingly gentle and kind towards others, and both of them were gifted with a lot of self-restraint when they became angry with anyone, but … (Here the Chinese assistant stopped short, and after thinking for an instant, he continued) I fear it may be disadvantageous to him if I say this, your honour, but speaking candidly, these two people who were so gentle and kind and modest, were cruel