短篇小说 》 狐 Fox   》 狐 Fox      野上弥生子 Nogami Mi Son      Fox 　　萩冈伸一想到养狐，完全是一件偶然的事。 　　年底得了一场感冒，使大学时代得的肺炎转成真的肺病了。为了彻底疗养两三年，他毫不留恋地辞掉三菱银行的差事，一到五月，就领着妻子芳子到北轻井泽他的朋友佐佐木的这座小山庄来。从高等学校时代起，他就喜欢山。他原想跟佐佐木一同进英文系，可是家里硬要他读了经济，所以在学校的时候就常常旷课，把两三本书塞进背囊去游山玩水。自从关到银行带有铁丝网的窗格子中间以后，他对那时候山地姗姗来迟的春天的美丽、静谧和爽心悦目，就更感到了强烈的乡愁。 　　离开东京之前，夫妻之间有过这样的谈话。 　　“我想就当是进了疗养院，在那儿呆它一个相当时期。你要是没有这种决心，开头就不必跟着去。” 　　“决心是有的呀。” 　　“那儿跟下轻井泽可完全不一样。一过夏天，连一个人影也役有啦。尤其是天一冷，到了过冬季节，从十一月到现在这个时候，遍地是雪，跟社会上是隔绝的。受得了吗?” 　　“不管受得了受不了，反正没有别的办法。” 　　回答的时候，她的嘴唇微微颤动，一对黑黑的大眼睛里浮出了两颗泪珠。象草上的露水积在叶尖上似的，泪珠圆圆地沾在睫毛上，一眨眼，就顺着俊俏笔直的鼻梁滚落下来，散了。 　　萩冈也沉默起来，一个劲儿地划点烟用的火柴。在这次的计划里，除了有必要进行早期疗养以外，他还暗暗感到一种浪漫蒂克的欢欣，他故意向妻子说得那么夸张，也是这种心情的流露，可是眼泪把话头又拉回到麻烦的现实上来，却使他感到有点不快了：几年前成了寡妇、脾气变得更坏、但表面上还装得亲切郑重的继母；继母的独生女——有点跛脚、错过了婚期、一点也不机伶的妹妹；成了她们冷淡、轻侮目标的妻子。芳子原是一位朋友家里的使女，萩冈自从不顾周围的反对跟她结婚以来，虽然还跟家人住在一起，可是他跟妻子住的是朝着一条小胡同、以前常常租给外国大使馆人员的洋式房子。而继母和妹妹则住在毗连在一起的日本式房子里，那还是父亲特地从名古屋请来工头和木匠修建的，虽然不甚宏壮、但式样却很考究。她们仍旧照着父亲在世时的方式和习惯过着日子。这次到北轻井泽去转地疗养，也是要使这种分居在地理上离得更远一些。比起现在的忍气吞声来，芳子是宁愿忍受山居的寂寥和不便的。继母可以给妹妹找一个合适的入赘女婿，让他来照顾家。那末自己照料家庭的责任也可以解脱了，银行的差事也辞退了，又何苦而且又有什么必要留在令人厌烦的东京呢！萩冈的这种态度，在他的寡妇继母看来，同丈夫从官界转入实业界的活跃情形两相对照，就认为是没有出息，是退缩，而且认为这是结婚铸成的错误。如果是合适的姻缘，妻子绝不会让丈夫干出这种没分晓的事：为了那样一点病，就把三菱的差事扔掉，跑出东京去。首先是说出去不好听，而且也没法跟人去说。这种愤懑，落到每天总得从所谓里院到前面露一回面的芳子头上，对她来说，是很难忍受的。如果不是当海军将官的叔父桦积极支持他们，两个人甚至连普通的婚礼都不能举行。萩冈故意避开父亲留下的设备完善的叶山别墅，而去借了路程远几倍又不方便的朋友的山庄，也是由于这个缘故。大地震的时候芳子在日本桥①失去了父母，以后寄居在牛込区伯母家里，在贫穷中长大，好不容易才上了女子职业学校，在学校旅行的时候才第一次坐上火车。没有萩冈自己怎样活下去，在她是不堪设想的。尽管如此，倘是平常时候这样离开东京，她也许会更感到凄凉呢！ 　　①日本桥诗日本东京都内的中心地带，金融商业的中枢。 　　总之，他们就这样到这里来了。表面上总说是转地疗养。忽然又变成了养狐，正象开头说的，这完全出于偶然。这个念头是第一次领着芳子去看养狐场的时候引起来的。养狐场在车站的那一面，萩冈每次到山里来总要到那里转一转。“这次我跟内人是抱着跟大家一起在这儿落户的心情来的，请多关照。病嘛，不过是跑出东京的口实罢了，所以我想过些时候种点马铃薯什么的，就当庄稼人啦。也算是晴耕雨读吧。” 　　听萩冈这么一说，养狐场主人平濑就劝他养狐，说：“晴耕雨读?庄稼活也不是那么容易干的呀。这儿到五月中旬才刚刚能下种，九月末就开始下霜，忙忙碌碌，费挺大的劲也收不到什么东西。还是养养狐狸比种庄稼好哇。开头养它一对两对，先小规模干着，别管有利无利，可相当有意思呢！跟活的东西打交道，早晨天一亮就得起来，还得一板一眼地侍弄它。身体弱的人，干这种活对健康也大有好处呢！” 　　“这倒是个好主意。可是我这样子也不象能够养狐啊。不过，当银行行员，我也不曾有什么自信来着。” 　　萩冈仰着脸，领子上露出腺病质的长脖子和突出的喉结，笑了。语气虽然是自嘲的，但那调子在东京却很少能够听到，爽朗而又活泼。平濑斟第二遍浓茶的时候，又说只要想干就没有什么问题，仍旧继续谈养狐的事。 　　“养别的玩意儿也一样，养狐，你爱惜它，这就是最大的秘诀。实际上，你一弄上手，也自然会产生一种亲爱之情。我嘛，照我老婆说，爱狐狸比爱家里人还厉害哪！” 　　他的老婆阿浪，正在屋子的一角跟芳子聊天。屋子不是洋式的，地面却是洋灰铺的，为的是夏天从下轻井泽来的外国客人可以穿着鞋就走进来，墙上还糊了廉价的糊墙纸。屋子的一角摆着布置成橱窗似的玻璃柜，阿浪站在玻璃柜前面，指着摆在里面的银狐围脖、手笼、坎肩，说它们如何如何便宜，比起三越来，价钱只有—半。这是一个肩宽腰粗，四十岁上下的女人，圆圆的肉厚的脸上，象这个高原居民常有的那样，也有一些紫外线晒出来的深红色斑点，粗手大脚，身强力壮，象个蛮女人。站在一旁，穿了一件洋衫的芳子，虽然个子差不多，长得也还丰满，相形之下却显得分外纤细瘦弱了。特别是头发半白，后背微驼、骨架很小的平濑，在阿浪面前，竟不象丈夫，倒象是父亲。阿浪是续弦，看去跟丈夫相差二十多岁。平濑的两个儿子都已远走高飞，据说，他们说家里的狐狸，指的就是这个后娘。但萩冈相信，正象有人说平濑是骗子，而他也有待人很好的地方一样，这位内掌柜也不一定就象人们说的那样不好。从自己和继母的关系一想，他反而不愿意把这个女人想象得很坏。在萩冈的感情里，这种成分是很多的。实际上，他经常以一种反省的心情去回味少年时代以来的辛酸，从来没有憎恨过，反抗过，跟芳子结婚的事情，算是仅有的一次例外。涕 　　玻璃柜上面的老式挂钟，这时候用一种有气无力的声音打了十点。 　　听了最后一响，平濑跟老婆打了一声招呼，吩咐说，趁他领客人去饲养场的时候，作点玉米团子。一面说，一面从椅子上站起来，把客人领到后院去了．正面是地板稍稍离开地面架起来的小屋，前面有两坪左右的空地，这就是一对狐狸的家和运动场。这样一个单元、一个单元栉比相连，中间用铁丝网隔了开来，外面又有一道铁丝网围成的墙，就形成一个长方形的部落。地方虽然不大，但在空荡荡的田垅和枯黄的草地中间，还可以看到为二十儿对狐狸建立的几所这种没有顶棚，光有铁丝网四框的家。田垅里，早播的豌豆刚刚钻出嫩芽，草地上拴着山羊，狐舍点缀其间，看去宛如日本画的图卷。这里还有一所样式格别的建筑物，这就是梯级很高的塔一样的监视塔，从这上面可以一眼望见这一片狐舍。狐狸，不在小屋里的，就在各自隔了开来的运动场上晒太阳。听见走近的人声，它们警戒地回过头来，有的把毛茸茸的长尾巴一甩，转身逃进小屋，有的竖起尖耳朵，用银灰色的吊梢眼角凝神看你一会，然后把视线一转，又没事儿似地把尖鼻子贴着铁丝网趴下去了。也有的照旧摆动着尾巴，不停地慢慢走动。毛色，据说所谓银孤的特点，一根根看去，尖上是黑的，中间纯白，贴着皮肤的根上是灰的；整个看去就象下了一层霜，莹洁的白色纹路越多，越算是优良品种，作成围脖，价钱也高。还有白毛集中在尾巴尖，形成一团白球的，据说更加珍贵。但在这里却没有看到。饲料是充分的，陈杂粮之外还有鱼类，照料也很周到，所以光滑的毛色，在高原五月充沛的阳光底下闪闪发亮，在一处铁丝网旁边，一株小梨树正在盛开，枝头满是白花，看去就象一幅印象派油画似的。 　　“真好看，并不那么让人害怕呢！” 　　芳子从来没有这么就近地仔仔细细看过一匹狐狸，现在孩子似地满有兴致地一面看一面走。她的话里，对于在童话里或在其他地方名声都不很好的这种兽类，有着一种同情。 　　“害怕的是狐狸啊。太太！”不等旁边的芳子的丈夫开口，走在前面的平濑先插了嘴，“都说狐狸阴险，猜疑心强，那是因为狐狸总在提防着，对人有种恐惧心。这点，也可以说是机伶，掌握这种习性来摆弄它，再没有比它更无害的动物了。” 　　“狐狸会给您立座铜像呢！” 　　“哈哈哈。可是没有这样一点同情心，那就照料不好呀。太太看样子也很喜欢活玩意儿吧?” 　　“在这点上内人跟您是同道。狗啦，猫啦，小鸟啦，什么都想养。耗子把厨房糟蹋得很厉害，可是拌耗子药，她也下不了手。在爱好动物这点上，说不定你还超过平濑先生呢！” 　　“小耗子出溜出溜的，也挺可爱嘛！” 　　“性情温柔的太太们总是这样的。你看吧，世界上讨厌活玩意儿的女人，就没有好人嘛。” 　　于是平濑又劝他们养狐，说，太太这样，那就有一个最好的助手了。 　　阿浪拿来作得干干净挣的玉米团子和刚挤的山羊奶，萩冈和芳子算是提前吃了一顿午饭，然后回家了。 　　“怎么样，养狐吗?” 　　“嗬！不管怎么喜欢动物吧，可是说到养狐……” 　　“要是真干起来，东京家里的人会晕过去的。” 　　“他们会以为你发疯啦！” 　　“肺病和疯子！对他们来说，那就更丢了体面。” 　　“咱们不是说过不要想东京的事吗?” 　　她觉得有点累，靠在藤椅子上，把两道弯弯长眉底下微微有些发青的眼睑眯缝起来，自言自语似地说：“多么安静，多么舒服啊！你总说山啊，山啊，到这里来才真正知道它的好处。来之前，我多少有点担心，以为太静，太寂寞啦，会不会使人不安。同样的静，这儿的静也不同呢。在东京家里，在虽你有什么会，很晚很晚还不回来的时候，周围的那种寂静，真叫人害怕，可是这儿就没关系，越是寂静，越觉得愉快。” 　　“没有杂念和野心，心地淳朴的人，谁都会这样。本来人就是在这种大自然中间开始生活的，喜爱大自然，这是对于几千年，几万年以前的生活的爱的复活。” 　　“这种道理我不懂，可是每天早晨起来，打开窗子，我总要跟浅间山说一声您早。因为，好象山也跟我问候呢！” 　　“不光是山，咱们对于那儿的羊，森林里的树，溪流的岩石和水，也会觉得早晨晚上都要跟它们寒喧呢。一切都会教人感到是有灵魂的。只有这样，才能使生活跟大自然完全融为一体。你等着看吧。大自然会变得更美，更丰富，使任何人的心情都不能不变成这样。再过一些日子，山石榴就会把这个高原装点得一片通红，落叶松会变得翠绿，连馨草也开了花，布谷鸟和黄莺也会唱起来。你想看的开在地面上的铃兰，那时候它们也会开山白色的娇羞的花朵来。” 　　“真叫人高兴啊！”芳子象个孩子似的，用活泼泼的调子说。 　　进了六月，山地虽说春迟，也完全是春日景象了。上个月，虽然樱花、梨花开了，可是一大早浅间山上还常常盖着一层薄雪，现在只是山腰洼处还有一个地方留着残冬的痕迹，柔软的紫灰颜色一天天地浓了。斜对面山洼处的残雪，山脚下村子里的人们管它叫作“一根葱白”，等到它一明显地露出来，那就是说春意已深，不必害怕下霜，可以安心播种了。高原一带的草包逐渐转青，也是在这个时候。先是向阳的道旁小草，在根上冒出一点绿芽。正象在玻璃瓶的水里滴了两三滴蓝墨水，已经不是白水了，但也不能说是带了颜色，看去只是这样一丁点的变化，可是一天天枯败的叶子变绿了，不知不觉问就变得草色青青照眼明了。从丘陵的斜坡到丛林的中间地带，叶子枯槁成茶褐色和灰色、纠结成一团团、被雪压得倒伏了的很高的茅草和杂草，这时候也带着绿意遒劲地站起来了。村子里的女人和孩子们沙沙作响地拨开这些杂草来采蘑菇。那是凹成杯形、味道很美的灰褐色的蘑菇。接着又是采薇菜啦，采蕨菜啦，挖土当归啦，采紫萼啦，从这里开头，这些山上的野菜，就成了村子里的人们青黄不接的时候的宝贵食物。因为十一月下到窖里的青菜快吃光了，而指望从地里收下鲜莱，还要等到八月。萩冈和芳子常常到附近一片朝南的斜坡上去。她提着篮子去采蕨菜，萩冈就用装在衣袋里带来胸小铲子去挖土当归。那种土当归根部呈红紫色，看去鲜艳悦目，昧道也极清香。土当归蘸豆酱和油烹蕨菜，对于萩冈，从过去常常游山的时候起就有很大魅力。 　　“东京送来的蔫蔫巴巴的蔬菜，根本算不得青菜。” 　　“说这种话，可对不住特意送来的母亲啊!” 　　“可是她们会说，跑到那种鬼地方去，连青菜也得从家里送去呢。” 　　“反正这里听不到，没关系。” 　　“你到山里来，完全变得什么也不在乎了。” 　　“所以这阵子胖起来啦，真讨厌。可是你也完全变样啦。” 　　“过于健康啦，把我给拉到中国去，那可不妙。所以健康的恢复也是慢着点的好。” 　　“一想到这点，芳子就觉得使她那么担心的丈夫的病弱，倒是值得感激的；而且她还会想起，结婚时给了他们那么大支持的叔父，他的独生子，作为普通士兵，刚刚开拔出去，就在上海战斗中阵亡了的事。不过，一个多月的山居生活带给萩冈的变化是很显著的。身上，脸上都长了肉。他喜欢读书，也画画油画，最初从山峦写生开始，常常也画出一些带有业余爱好者的朴肃感的好作品，现在这些都更扎下了根。穿一件蓝绒线衫，吹着口哨，朝着阳台翩然跳下的动作，也有了从前所没有的轻快的弹性。芳子呢，有生以来第一次在这种地方舒舒畅畅地生活，同样的影响，在她身上就表现得更显著了。不仅象她自己说的，发胖了，而且山上的阳光，把她那有点象混血儿的前额和笔直的鼻梁也晒成了小麦色。在东京，脸上即使浓浓地擦了胭脂，也会立刻透出原有的白皙来，现在脸上却总带有一种巴旦杏似的红润。因为怕热，白天穿的薄绒线衫也是短袖的，所以两只胳膊晒出了一道分明的线，裸露着的两手，直到指尖也都比脸晒得更黑，只是掌心还红中透白，显得软绵绵的。芳子把两只手抱在胸前，把视线落到裙子底下也是裸露着的那一双苗条但似乎又有点变得粗壮了的小腿上，说：“我快变成养狐场内掌柜似的啦。” 　　她指的是养狐场平濑的老婆阿浪，变成她那样子，是芳子最害怕的。她觉得晒得那么黑，变成不好看的乡下人了，就有点不好童思，却不知道这更增加了她的美。萩冈常常用不同于从前的眼光，定睛看着晒得黑黑的妻子。本来，他对芳子的爱恋，其中就掺杂了很多对于这个不幸、贫穷、纯真而又温雅的孤儿的怜悯。也可以说，他那颗从小就渴求母爱的孤独的心，是在同样孤独的心里找到了归宿。因此，他的爱是清澈、踏实的，虽然强烈，但却干静，即使燃烧起来，也不狂暴。在痰里混有血丝、接连发高烧的时候，他也是比自己的死更多地想到死后怎样能够使她幸福。虽然没有明说，可是他向当时恰好从军舰上回来了的叔父和佐佐木托付过这一切。一想到虽然结婚生活短得有如过眼云烟，但毕竟从卑贱、轻蔑和穷困中救出了一个可怜的女人，他就觉得似乎也可以安然瞑目了。可是近来萩冈的心情却有些不同。他想，如果病再反复，濒于死亡，他不会甘心丢下妻子就那么死去的。当然，叔父和佐佐木会想办法使她跟继母和妹妹不发生什么大的麻烦交涉，面能够优裕地生活下去。可是这并不能保证使她当一辈子寡妇。相反的，很有海军军人那种放得开的想法的叔父，倒是很可能劝她再婚。那末，就会出现一个不知从哪里来的男人，占有她那温柔、诚实和献身的精神，甚至连仅仅是自己和她之间的秘密的、那些可爱的举动、耳边的私语，也都统统夺去，而不能领略它们的价值，自己果真非要从九泉之下看着这种情况不可吗?萩冈突然把象牙筷子啪的一声撂到饭桌上了。 　　“啊，怎么啦?” 　　“生的！设法吃！” 　　“对不起。我的并不生呀！” 　　芳子真地吃了惊，把自己碟子里的盐烤的小鳟鱼递过去。萩冈发脾气，其实并不是因为鱼烤得熟还是不熟，而是因为忽然想到那个莫须有的男人也可能和她这样对坐吃饭。 　　“成啦，成啦！” 　　他马上后悔了，又向那条实际上并不是烤得那样半生不熟的小鳟鱼伸出了筷子。 　　有一次，萩冈说芳子对前来送信的年轻的邮差表现得太亲热，又厉声厉色地大发了一顿脾气。邮差是从相隔二里来地附近村子里的邮局来的，每次他们来，招待一杯现成的茶水，既是当地的习惯，也是请他们顺便捎走信件、明信片之类的酬答。这天，还请他带去一个小包，所以茶水之外，她又添了一大片用自己发的面烤得很好的面包。这并不是第一次，为什么今天会惹出这么大的责难，她想不通。芳子一直不知道丈夫的嫉妒。萩冈也由于自尊心而羞于把它说出口。可是在这之后他表现的热情和爱抚却是那样强烈，使妻子吃惊，也使她领悟到这是丈夫在乞求饶恕，于是她又禁不住高兴、微笑，而忘却了眼泪。丈夫的爱没有减弱，而是更加深了，一想到这是身体好起来的证明，她就感到浑身充满了一种更大的欢欣。 　　一天夜里，萩冈告白了一切。芳子听了，趴在丈夫胸脯上抽抽噎噎地哭起来，恨他、责备他为什么把那样可怕的想象闷在心里，而不告诉自己。她甚至象母亲似地数落了他，说他这阵子身体壮实多了，根本就没有必要想什么病啦、死啦这类多余的事情。又发誓说，她不管什么时候都会跟他一道死，没有他，自己是活不下去的。这类誓言一般都是绝对不能遵守的，不过萩冈觉得，她似乎都能照行。正象让她跟到山里来就来了一样，如果说一道死吧，现在她也一定会毫不踌躇地准备去死。最近自己难以控制的莫名其妙的嫉妒冲动，虽然同过去已经一刀两断，可是由于将来怎么办也还没有定见而感到的六神无主，对于以“事变”名义已经难于蒙混下去的战争所引起的一切外界的纷扰，他的憎恶和不快，以及由此产生的虚无感，还有一想到病一旦痊愈又会被拉去打仗而产生的绝望，这一切都使萩冈觉得，病即使看去仿佛一点点好了起来，也决难完全恢复健康，因此他甚至时常感到死对他是一种轻松的诱惑。不过，只有这个秘密他却没向芳子透露过。用这种故意装出来的快活，有一次他讲了一个故事。 　　“有这样一个很有意思的故事。不是日本的。是西欧的，可是也是希腊远古时代的故事。从头说，话太长了。总之是在一个村子里住着一对笃信神祗的老夫妻，他们在神仙遇到困难的时候帮过神仙的忙。为了报答他们，神仙说他们想要什么就会使他们得到什么。于是老头就提出了一个愿望，他说：我们从年轻的时候起就在一块儿和和美美地过日子，现在年纪老了，快到死的时候了，我们希望，不要让我先死把老伴留在后面，也不要让我留下，给老伴料理可悲的后事，但愿能够让我们俩同日同时同刻死去。你看，老头想的不是很妙吗?” 　　“真照着说的那样作到了吗?” 　　“当然喽，对方是神仙嘛。从那个时候起，老头和老婆就当了神前的侍者，可是，他们已经老迈得干不了什么活了。有一天傍晚，他们俩正在前面院子里眺望周围的美丽的湖水，老头的身子忽然长出树叶来了。老婆大吃一惊，可是她的身子也开始变成树了。眼看着两个人全身都盖满了树叶，脚变成了树根，身子变成了树干，两只手变成了树枝。可是脸暂时还没有变成树梢，两个人面对着面，说：‘老婆子，再见吧，咱们向神仙求的愿，现在到来啦。真是值得感谢啊！’‘再见吧，老爷子！’两个人互相告了别，这时候嫩绿的树叶把他们的口封上了。老头变成了一棵挺拔的槠树，老婆变成了一棵优美的菩提树，从此就天长地久地并排站在湖边上了。怎么样，故事很美吧?”芳子点点头，感动得说不出话来，眼里含了一泡泪。她开始想，如果他们也能得到这种幸福，将变成什么树?落叶松?枞树?还是现在正在开着花朵的洋槐、山藤?这以后的几天，这种选择就成了芳子的愉快的想象。 　　“我一定变朴树。’ 　　“我可不喜欢那种树。” 　　芳子知道雨天穿的木屐的跟是用这种木头作的以后，她对这种有着繁茂的长出大椭圆形的叶子的树就有点轻蔑。所以萩冈故意笑着这样说，逗她玩。象未开化的野人把山顶的岩石当作祖先，把雷劈的雄劲的大树奉为神明似的，用这样的感情来谈论这样的话，在这里听来却很自然，富于真实感。 　　就在这前后，养狐场的平濑提着一篮子鸡蛋拜访他们来了。鸡蛋是他们订下的，平常不是他们去串门的时候顺便取回来，就是让阿浪给送来，今天平濑亲自驾临，那是因为另有事情要来商量。 　　“正好有一个卖主，下个决心怎么样?” 　　刚在大厅里的藤椅上坐下他就开口了，是问他们要不要买下旁边的一个养狐场。 　　“以前大概跟您提过，那是前桥的一个财主一半当作消遣搞起来的，狐舍虽然很小，连五对、六对也养不下，可是带有一幢别墅式的小洋房，对您可太合适了。而且地皮也在三千坪开外，说是三万就要出手，那可象白给似的哪！” 　　“干么要那么急着卖?” 　　“这一带，有—个时候养狐场搞起了二十来家，现在都是这个样子。跟中国的纠纷，现在也变成真刀真枪的大仗了，交税剩下的钱，全都得买什么国债，这时候还谈得上什么银狐围脖！大概人同此心，一下子就都泄劲啦。现在建筑物虽然都还在，可是还有狐狸的也就剩下两三家了。在这个时候，劝您养狐，好象很矛盾，可是您也不是想在这上面捞一把，比干庄稼活，对您合适，的确对健康也很有好处。如果您不愿意养狐，光冲那幢房子，买下来也管保不会吃亏。” 　　“有狐狸吗?” 　　“还有三对。您不愿意要，我留下也可以。反正我这辈子跟狐狸算是结下了不解之缘，只要不死，就准备干下去。哈哈哈哈。” 　　平濑露出烟油子熏得焦黄的龅牙，张开大嘴，呵呵地笑了。他一直坐到吃午饭，萩冈不得不奉陪听他从头讲述他的所谓不解之缘——这是他半生的阅历，同时也是日本养狐业的历史。 　　平濑在桦太岛开始养狐，是在大正四年，地方是从丰原町还要往北走二里多地的一个荒村。村子原来的俄国名字叫作诺亚列克桑德罗夫斯克，那时候已经按日本式叫作小沼村了。不过七十几户人家中，还有四户俄国人。周围是一片荒漠的湿草地，到处都有小河和沼泽。村名就是因此而得的。 　　草地上有很多狐狸。有一种十字狐，从头顶到尾巴尖顺着脊梁有一道黑色毛纹，同从脖子到肩下的同样颜色的毛纹恰好交成一个十字。电有三毛狐和赤狐。太阳一出来，就照得炙人，可是沼泽上又常常腾起一片雾霭，这对于狐狸的生息是最好的条件。 　　第二年，用赤狐和三毛狐杂交，生了五只仔狐，其中三只是十字狐，两只却出乎意外地是银狐。平濑说，这就是日本最初的银狐。不久，他又搬到北海道去，在大沼湖畔开始了大规模的养狐事业。因为在桦太岛，买一张修狐舍的铁丝网也要出很贵的运费，剥下狐皮出卖，也是靠近东京一点的地方更方便，所以替他出资的一家渔业公司也希望他这样作。到后来因为看到国际避暑地轻井泽外国人的购买力很高，大有生意可作，又从那里搬到轻井泽来，这中间他在大沼湖畔整整干了十四年。对于这一段往事，他有着很深的怀念。向当局大肆运动，终于成功地从美国的爱德华太子岛罗杰斯养狐场第一次输入了外国的纯种银狐，也就是那时候的事。 　　“那正是寺内内阁的时候，驻美大使是金子先生。当时社会上有种空气，认为狐狸这玩意儿何必要从外国输入！可是大使先生帮了很多忙，替我买回了十对。在船上死了三对，剩下七对算是太太平平到了日本。一对一千圆，在那时候，可是相当可观的一笔钱哩！我特意从北海道进京，又到横滨去接这批狐狸，一想到自己就要亲手侍弄这些过去光是看到过照片的外国优良种，就性急得什么似的，老想着早看一眼，再加上担心能不能把它们太平无事地带到北海道，那真是夜里连觉也睡不踏实哪！” 　　他一口气地说下去，就象谈论昨天的事情似地，满怀着激动和喜悦。他的话里，有一种迷了心窍的人的无思虑的美，尽管有些自我吹嘘，听起来也不那么令人反感。萩冈和芳子麻利地摆上午饭，跟他一同吃着，一面颇有同感地听他讲话。以前虽然零零碎碎听到过一些，可是这样详细的原委今天还是第一次听到。“今天可太麻烦太太啦！西餐这玩意儿，我们还不大知道是什么味道呢！”平濑把大块的面包抛进嘴里，称赞肉烤得可口，又说有机会要请他们尝尝狐肉。 　　“啊呀，狐肉能吃吗?” 　　“现在不行，秋后上膘的时候很好吃。” 　　“有膻味吧?” 　　“大家都担心这点，可是没什么。听说京京肉很缺，今年过年的时候给一位相好的朋友家里送去两只，他们很高兴，寄来很大一笔钱，简直把我吓了一跳，说是如果还可以卖给他们狐肉，送多少去都行。我老婆一看这倒不错，就说，狐皮也不如以前值钱了，花那么多工夫和饲料合不来，还不如杀了卖肉，不干养狐这桩买卖，专门养鸡的上算，你说，过样我还有什么好说的?我当时就说，我是靠狐狸起家的，不管赔钱赚钱，这辈子算是跟狐狸泡上了，你要是不愿意，可以滚出去。哈哈哈哈。” 　　平濑又张开大嘴，发出了尖声的干笑。他仿佛忘了，说出养狐业正在衰败的这些内情，会给被劝诱新买养狐场的对方带来什么影响。这在萩冈听来，倒也很有意思，萩冈总算干过两三年银行差事，知道平濑特意跑来告诉他这件事，不会光是出于亲切，可是到底平濑好到什么程度，又狡猾到什么程度，他却摸不准。而且，就算他那番养狐的经历是那样吧，可是他在年轻的时候是怎么跑到桦太岛去的?如果说他还有两个不着边的儿子，那末现在的阿浪之外，当然还有一房前妻，这房前妻如今在哪里呢?他跟阿浪不仅看去象是父女，实际上年龄也相差十五六岁，两个人又是怎样到一块的?他在哪儿出生，又是怎样对这种特殊营生发生了兴趣的?这一切萩冈全不知道。最后一个问题是很容易打听出来的。只要问一下府上是哪里，就会引出其他很多有关出身的话来。可是萩冈一向是极不愿意干预别人生活的，所以连这样的话也没有问。 　　第二天早晨，萩冈说：“今天到养狐场去看看吧！” 　　看他的神情就象考虑了一夜似的。 　　“真想买吗?” 　　“人家特意跑来告诉了一回，反正先去看看再说。” 　　两个人到了那里，恭候多时的平濑马上带他们去了。那所出售的养狐场，隔着一块已经种好的马铃薯地和一片鸡舍，紧挨着平濑的地皮，甚至等于就在平濑的地皮以内，另一面是一片白桦树和抱树的林子，中间有一眼小泉水，潺潺流成小溪，旁边长了一片茂盛的芹菜。 　　“啊，带了篮子来可多好。” 　　芳子穿了一双白帆布鞋，跟在丈夫后面，轻快地跳过小溪。如果不是萩冈紧着催她：“喂，那些事情以后再说！”她蹲在水边真不想走开呢。 　　“对了，这眼泉水，昨天我没跟您说。这可是个宝贝哪！” 　　平濑一面在前面走着，一面回过头来说，这一带的井，都打在从浅间山上倾斜下来的砂砾地层上，常常不出水。可是这眼小泉水却从不涸竭，在严冬积雪之下，也不断涌出，而且水是微温的。 　　“这么说，雪有几尺深?平濑先生！滑雪我们总是到丸沼和鹿泽去，这一带光是路过。” 　　“大概是浅间山的关系吧，雪还不到一尺深。可是，冷劲跟桦太岛差不多，这也是适合于养狐的好条件。所以说，你们要想在这儿过年，不作充分准备是过不去的。那幢房子过冬的设备很齐全，光凭这点，我想您买下来也不吃亏。” 　　三个人已经走近那幢房子了。那是一幢箱子似的洋房，外面涂的乳白色粉灰已经褪落，前面的草坪也是一片荒芜，半路上不见了的小溪，又弯成缓缓的弓形出现在这里。可是这并没有增添什么庭园情趣。房子内部也很粗俗，简陋，有十铺席、八铺席和六铺席的三个房间，还有比较宽敞的厨房和浴室。现在借住的佐佐木的只有两个房间的山庄，最不方便的就是没有洗澡设备。光是到这儿过夏的人们，可以到附近俱乐部去，那儿有把温泉的微温的水烧热来用的公共浴场。那儿也是山庄村的一种社交场所，所以一般家里都没有洗澡没备。 　　“实在想洗的时候，就在背囊里装上毛巾和肥皂到草津温泉去。” 　　感到洗澡不方便的时候，有一次萩冈这样说，倒把芳子逗乐了。用不着到草津去，那是因为这儿的高原气候干燥而又清爽，每天用热水擦一遍，也就不那么想泡在澡盆里了，而且一个星期总有什么事情要到平漱家里去一次，只要说一下，主人们就会替他们烧澡水的。可是这也只是在季节好的时候，天气一冷，那就要另作打算。出于同样的原因，所以一看到厨房和六铺席的吃饭间当中的堂屋里有一个铁板制的大炉子，萩冈就叫了起来；“嗬，这玩意儿可不错。” 　　炉子是椭圆形的，上面有大小两个炉眼，大的可以坐饭锅，小的可以放煎锅和水壶，既可以做饭，又可以取暖，很方便。这个高原村的常住户，就象俄国农家都有一个茶炊一样，每家都有这样一个炉子。从十一月起就进入漫长的冬季，那时候它就成了必不可少的重要家当，人们整天烧着炉子，甚至会把铁板烧得发白。 　　平濑家里，现在做饭也还用这种炉子。有时候到他家去洗澡，下半晌忽然遇到冷雨，平濑就把他们领到炉子旁边，说：“再在这儿暖和一下吧！” 　　他向炉子里再扔进一根劈柴去，那晒得干干的木柴马上就在余烬里燃起火苗。炉子发出呼呼的响声，放在小炉眼上的水壶滚开起来。于是茶也沏来了。不仅方便，而且也很朴素，正象是山居之家的东西，所以萩冈喜欢这种炉子并不下于喜欢东京家里那个英国式的暖炉，他很想最近就弄到一个。 　　“这在这一带，都是请三里开外一个村子的铁匠给做的，那个铁匠掌柜的，手艺很好，可就是太懒，今年请他做，能够当年做出来的时候简直就没有，糟糕透啦。你现在请他做，是啊，明年冬天也用不上呢！” 　　听他那口气，仿佛是说光凭炉子，这幢房子也值得买，可是他到底没好意思明说出来。 　　养狐场在后面。铁丝网圈成的狐舍，高高的监视塔，设备和配置都同旁边平濑家里的完全一样，只是小一些，象是后者的一个模型。里面没有狐狸。房主搬走的时候，把狐狸托付给平濑照管了。 　　平濑打算回报昨天的人情，招待他们吃午饭，他俩谢绝了。这不光是因为客气，而是因为今天早晨芳子看到从下轻井泽送来的面包已经吃光，就象往常一样自己用发酵粉发了一盆面，她怕面发得太厉害变酸，所以他们马上就回来了。 　　“不必每次每次都让面包房给送来，能在家里自己烤就好啦。可是光靠普通的烤炉还不成。” 　　“这回咱们就做一个真正的面包烤炉。你来干做面包的买卖，我来干养狐的买卖，怎么样?”萩冈带着愉快的笑脸，露出洁白的牙齿说。接着马上又一本正经，颇有感慨地加了一句：“还是有一门什么职业的好。” 　　芳子不懂为什么他忽然说起这个来。可是她还没来得及问，却禁不住叫了起来：“啊呀，窗子开啦！” 　　前面已经可以看到他们那幢座落在半山坡，围在一片小白桦树中间的小山庄了。出来的时候，照着这一带不大介意的办法，没有锁门，可是门窗都是关得好好的，怎么窗子里却露出了淡红色的窗帘?两个人顺着缓缓的坡路跑了上去。还没到门口，听到脚步声的佐佐木，就从窗子里探出他那胖胖的结实的上半身来了。 　　“是你呀，可吓了我们一跳。” 　　“我们以为进来贼了呢。您来得真好。” 　　“散步的时间真长啊。让特意从东京来的客人等上两个钟头，也有点那个吧！” 　　“啊，等了这么久吗?” 　　芳子说，那末就让她美美地招待一顿午饭，于是跑到厨房去了。萩冈把藤椅拉近这位久别的朋友身边，说：“今天可不是什么散步。是为了一件重要事情出去的，这可能成为我生活上的转机。” 　　“哦，这倒新鲜！”因为对方笑嘻嘻地故意把话说得很夸张，所以佐佐木也用同样的语调问道：“大概不会是报名当报道员，想到中国去看看打仗吧?” 　　“那太平凡了！” 　　萩冈把平濑跟他说的养狐场的事告诉了这位朋友，佐佐木似乎真地感到很惊奇，嘴上紧紧地叼着烟卷儿，沉默了一会儿，从鼻子里喷出长长的一道烟来。 　　“买下来，真想养狐吗?”’ 　　“我想养养看也不妨。” 　　“这可是异想天开。真能象养狐场掌柜的说的那么简单吗?就算侍弄狐狸对健康有益吧，买饲料，搜罗饲料，特别在现在这个时候，也不是那么容易的呀。” 　　“这些事，平濑说，他都可以一道代办。” 　　“就算这样，可是听你的话，好象是为了那幢房子的浴室和炉子，还有那眼小泉水，才想买养狐场，才想养狐。三千坪地皮，在这一带照野地的价钱还值不上东京的十坪。对手是那种对手，马马虎虎的，可要上个大当哩！” 　　“你说是上狐狸的当，还是掌柜的当?” 　　“都一徉，全是鬼东西！” 　　“我可不那样想。” 　　萩冈为平濑作了一通辩护，把他从桦太岛以来半生从事养狐的经历叙述了一遍，说对于他这种一贯的热情，是可以好好称许一番的。萩冈认为，这次平濑为养狐场的事情奔走，想拿一大笔佣钱，当然不在话下，可是在现在这样的时局底下，事业正在逐渐衰落，想多拉一个伙伴的心情也不是假的，而且还有很大成分是出于对于初次准备在这里过冬的人们的亲切。　　“反正对什么儿你都不会往坏处想。” 　　佐佐木把两只手放到后脑勺上，胳膊肘向左右支开，呵呵地笑了。他那一头乱发，与其说象个英文教师，不如说更象个艺术京。他很知道不会把人往坏处想，这点正是这个朋友最善良的地方。那点钱在萩冈来说，开张支票也就解决了。那末试试看也好。能够想到干这种营生，也是健康有所恢复的证明。这使佐佐木感到很高兴。最后他也一变而为鼓励，劲头十足地说：“要干就要大大地发展。当日本的银狐王，不是也满有意思吗?听说，荷兰有靠郁金香发家的，有靠黄油发家的，同样是暴发户，我觉得却好听些。可是银狐王，那是他们不能比的。我这碗英文教师的饭也快吃不成了，到时候我也来当你的助手。怎么说呢，现在这年头，搞外国的弯弯宇，除了德文和意大利文以外，可都吃不开啦。” 　　“在这一点上，这里可是另有天地。而且我也不是起不了床的病人，所以还是有一门职业的好。”萩冈回答道。他的话和他的语调都和回来的时候在半路上跟妻子说的一样。并且也同那时候一样，没有再多说什么，可是他觉得，如果开始一种单纯的，有规律的生活，最近那种莫名其妙的嫉妒和自己朦胧地感到的死的诱惑，也许可以得到克服。 　　午饭的时候，一瓶珍藏的法国葡萄商，再加上啤酒，使得佐佐木更加兴奋了。他现在正在搞日本古典作品的英译，今天是到住在下轻井泽的一位英国顾问那儿请教，顺便到这里来的，所以还得趁三点半的电车赶回去。“来看一看，放心啦！没想到你们过得这么好，芳子，明年来的时候，会送给我一条萩冈养狐场出品的银狐围脖吧?” 　　“那要请您买才成。请您给太太买一条作为纪念。”芳子跟他们一道无拘无束地吃着，她轻易不开玩笑，可是这次却作了这样一个戏谑的回答。“可是，佐佐木先生，我们养狐的事还没有决定呀！” 　　“决定了！” 　　“哦！” 　　佐佐木的语气比丈夫来得还果断，芳子简直摸不着头脑，她刚叉起一块油煎马铃薯，要送到口边去，却在半道上把叉子停下了。其实萩冈直到那时候，也还没有下定决心。可是这一瞬间的这一句话，却把一切决定了。佐佐木用那带有醉意、已经微红的眼皮底下一双淘气孩子似的眼睛，不住地打量他们夫妇，开口说：“这么说，你们知道吗?养狐场全都有的那高塔似的建筑物是干什么的?” 　　“是监视塔吧。” 　　“这还用说。可是监视什么呢?” 　　“不让狐狸跑掉呀！” 　　一听到这个回答，佐佐木就把上半身向后仰过去，哈哈大笑起来，他向被笑得发愣的两个人解释说，目的并不那么简单，那监视塔是为了在一月到三月的狐狸交尾期，察看哪一只狐狸完成了任务，哪一只没有完成的。 　　“要想生出毛色好的小狐狸，就得给怀孕的牝狐特别好吃的东西，就是为了这个。这是两三年前，我去参观的时候，听掌柜的说的。他没有跟你们说吗？” 　　“没听他说。” 　　“你倒无所谓，让芳子感到幻灭，能出手的东西他也卖不掉了，掌柜的大概怕这个，所以才没有跟你们说。不管你怎样替他辩护，他也是一只老狐狸。” 　　“那个浑名是内掌柜的呀！” 　　“都一样，一对狐狸！” 　　软弱的人有时反而坚强。结婚时也是这样，朴直温顺的萩冈，一旦下了决心，就会变成百折不回的倔强的人。这一次，也按照这个路数，连严冬一二月，在高塔上监视狐狸交尾这种傻里傻气的苦差事，也没有使他踌躇。他把应该交的款子洒洒脱脱地全交了。也没有跟东京的继母商量，只是通知了一声。但是给叔父桦却写了一封详细的信，不过这也是在决定以后。叔父的信，一般的事情总是由婶母代笔，这次却意外地亲笔写了回信来。 　　 　　拜复：闻健康已渐次恢复，不胜欣慰。养狐亦美事也。佐佐木君所谓提防上当，忠告之情诚然可感，但上狐狸之当亦属有限也。理今世上尔虞我诈，骗局大为流行，实令人烦恼。愚叔近日将再作水虎①，行前甚想得一面晤之机，惟恐难以如愿耳。珍重健康，千万千万。芳子处请代问候。 　　 　　这封信发出后的第五天才寄到山庄。萩冈后来知道，那时候叔父已经作为当时没有明确公布的某战舰的舰长，出海去了。 　　还没有到夏天，萩冈就搬到养狐场去了。佐佐木借给他山庄的时候，就曾经说：“我们家里今年想到好久没有去过的海边去。”可是萩冈知道，佐佐木要利用暑假做一些桌面上的工作，这个山庄对他来说是必需的，所以他不想靠了友情给人家添麻烦。他一直想另借一处空着的别墅，或者有合适的就买一所。急急忙忙买下养狐场，这种藏在心里的想法也是理由之一。 　　搬家之后，他们的生活发生了一大变化。年轻的夫妇，每天早晨五点就起床了。以前，只要做两个人的简单饭食就可以了，现在芳子首先就得利用厨房里的炉子，坐上大锅，给从邻居那里接收过来的三对狐狸做饲料。按照阿浪教给的做法，把麦子，玉米和其他杂粮面跟用鱼做的煎汁煮在一起，做成一种菜粥。饲料，平濑答应完全帮忙，鱼也是从老远的直津江那边的渔场订好合同送到平濑那儿，又分给他们的。 　　“我们吃，好象也很香呢！” 　　“这么说，你想不给狐狸，自己先吃吗?” 　　“你才靠不住呢！” 　　锅里冒出香喷喷的味道，劈柴在炉子中噼噼啪啪地燃烧，两个人在这种气氛里愉快地说笑。一会儿，狐狸的早饭做好了，萩冈就用小桶把它提到在这以前已经扫得干干净净的狐舍去。当他给狐狸分配早饭的时候，芳子这才着手做他们自己的早饭。在另一个炉眼上，早饭已经烧好，所以现在要做的是菜场，和向汤里窝鸡蛋。比起煎荷包蛋来萩冈更喜欢窝鸡蛋，比半熟稍稍硬点，而又不让它太硬，做出这样的窝鸡蛋才算得上有手艺。而这样做出来的早饭，萩冈来到这里之后，虽然不象在东京家里那么没有食欲，可是也总是照例拿拿筷子就算了。平常只要一片面包，一杯红茶，就可以顶到晌午而不觉得饿。但这阵子却笑着伸出红漆的彩碗，说：“蠢人饭量丸能吃啦！” 　　侍弄六只狐狸，现在还不那么费事，饲料在晚上再做一回就成，狐狸只吃两顿。但是，萩冈在自己能做的范围以内，不愿多麻烦平濑，所以他们养了一只山羊，又喂了三只鸡。山羊奶不光可以作为他们的饮料，狐狸分娩时，作为母乳的补充，对仔狐也是必要的。种马铃薯虽然迟了，可是听说现在种上也不是一点收获也得不到，所以又央了一位叫作老留的五十来岁的工人种了马铃薯。老留从那以后就成了长工，很精巧地造了一个山羊圈和一个鸡舍。在建造的时候，萩冈却给他当了助手。进了七月，突然变成夏天，户外充满了紫外线的高原的阳光耀眼地强烈，只是背荫的地方有点凉意。丈夫的衬衫和工作服，每天要让汗水打湿两次，芳子每天都得在前面草地上的小溪里替他洗。水很凉，手浸得时间一长，指头尖都凉得发麻。 　　暑假以后，佐佐木第一次从铁道那面过来拜访的时候，那天他们也正在房子前面干活，佐佐木一见面，第一句话就是：“完全变成行家啦！”“真的，没有想到你们还能干这个。” 　　佐佐木的妻子须磨子领着她的独生子，四岁的真儿走过来，带着更为惊奇的神情说。萩冈和老留正在劈木柴。老留把从后面林子里间伐下来的树，锯成一段一段的，萩冈再挥动长柄的斧子把它劈开。芳子穿着丈夫的一条灰色旧裤子，头上包着白毛巾，把劈柴三四根作为一抱，送到窗下去。 　　“听说过冬，这样的劈柴要有五六垛才行。我们自己简直什么也于不成。你看，刚刚插手干了这么点闲事，就是这样。” 　　萩冈脱下粗线手套，伸出肿得红红的手掌给他们看，然后用手在嘴边作成喇叭状，朝着后面突然大声喊了起来：“老留，歇一会儿，抽袋烟吧！” 　　芳子看来了稀客，把劈柴扔下就跑了过来，向须磨子小声说：“聋子！” 　　“啊，怪不得！” 　　两人相视而笑了。 　　荻洼出身的须磨子，从她那端端正正的脸型所显示的气质来说，也同芳子完全不同，可是这并没有妨碍她们双方的丈夫之间所存在的友情。正象佐佐木和萩冈由于性格相反而结合的更紧一样，她们俩也由于彼此间的不同面互相感到吸引。 　　久别重逢的女人们，说的，问的，互相要给对方看的，有那么多的事，一讲到东京的生活渐渐苦了起来，需要更多的心机，更多的力气，话头就更丰富了。 　　“比方说，一合牛奶，现在用普通的办法也弄不到手啦。你得跟牛奶铺说尽好话，送他东西，月末算账的时候还找不回零头。” 　　看到山羊，须磨子忽然想起牛奶铺内掌柜的那突出的颧骨来。山半系在草地的木桩上，它在绳子能达到的范围内转来转去，张着一对眼圈带点淡红色的圆圆的眼睛，对人很亲热地咩咩地叫着。真儿一直不离开那里。萩冈和佐佐木在狐舍前面等着女人们，一个人擦着了火柴，两个人都点上了烟。 　　“我怎么也不愿再干银行的差事，归根到底，好象还是由于讨厌那铁丝网。关在那里面，数着别人的钱。干上一辈子真叫人忍受不了。可是现在把狐狸撵到铁丝网里，倒干起侍弄它们的差事来了。我常常想，这真可笑。” 　　“瞧你这么说，世界上无非都是一些可笑的事。中国的事不也是这样吗?发表什么声明，说是不扩大，绝不是战争，可是到底成了今天这个样子。在他们欺骗和花言巧语面前，这些狐狸先生们都得夹起尾巴呢！” 　　为了加强语气，和出于一种孩子似的淘气心情，佐佐木弹了一下铁丝网，原来在砂地上畏畏缩缩用斜眼看着他们的—对狐狸，慌慌张张跑进小屋去了。萩冈提起了叔父的信。 　　“他说，上狐狸的当，算不了什么呢！” 　　“千真万确。大概你叔叔他们，对于政府，或者不如说军部，怎样在欺骗人民的个中底细知道的详细。” 　　“我想，越是知道底细，心情越不好过。站在他那个立场，虽然说不出口，可是我知道叔叔对于现在日本进行的战争是绝对反对的。” 　　“与其说是你叔叔反对，不如说海军本身反对。在这方面，陆军那帮家伙，全都是不知深浅的夸大妄想狂。所以没法治。” 　　“到底会变成什么局面?我这里，报纸也要晚五天才能看到。” 　　“欧洲也是危机临头。驻德国大使亨德逊①正在伦敦、柏林之间往来奔波，好象在设法阻止，可是希特勒用他的老手段出其不意地来一下子，那就什么都完蛋了。欧洲着起火来，美国也不会坐视。那就是再来一场世界大战。” 　　“人类是多么愚蠢！从上次的战争里应该得到足够的教训了，可是还没过四分之一世纪……” 　　“带头点火的可确实是日本，这真可怕。现在很多人陶醉于战争景气，还感不到它的严重性。可是我相信，一定有一天日本要流出和我们使中国流出的同样多的血。有时候，我是宿命论者，同时就我个人来说，我绝不愿意在这场战争里拿起武器来。为了不让他们把我拉出去打仗，不管怎样狡猾的事，怎样没出息的事，我都肯干。在这点上，你是有本钱的！” 　　“我替你去吧！” 　　“反正在这里可以大声说这种话，光是这点就很难得。若是东京，马上就会有人说：“跟我到署里去。” 　　佐佐木扔掉烟蒂，隔着一片嫩绿的白桦树，向还在山羊那儿不想挪动的真儿和女人们那边看了一眼。仿佛他的小儿子也是聋子似的，大声喊道：“喂，真儿，这儿有好玩意儿呀！快来！有好玩的狐狸哪！” 　　从那天以后，不到五个星期，希特勒就侵入波兰，挑起了欧战。第三年冬季的十二月八日，日本突然袭击珍珠湾，使又爆发了太平洋战争。地球不得不再一次用鲜血来经历它诞生时代的洪水。人类的睿智和它所创造的一切都沉没在洪水般的鲜血里，犹如只有白昼和黑夜一样，现在也仅仅有两件事——杀戮和被杀戮。这就是生活，就是哲学，就是艺术，就是事业。 　　在这样的年代，总算坚持了养狐工作的萩冈，可以说是挪亚方舟式的奇迹般的幸运。同时，他们把一切东西都极力堆在一处的那种杂乱无章的冬日生活，也真和那方舟一模一样。 　　狐狸不需要什么特殊的防寒设备，但是山羊却需要。所以就把挨着厨房的、为它堆积了足够吃到明春的草料的仓库隔了开来，把它安置在里面，同时又在房边修一个给鸡过冬的小窝。聋子老留，现在也变成了寄宿的伙计。他娶过三个老婆，但三个都跑掉了，如今是无依无靠的单身汉，除非有事，平日总是石头般沉默着，说他又聋又哑也会有人相信的。这个满面胡须的乡下佬，现在已成为萩冈夫妇不可缺少的帮手了。尤其是从一月中旬起就要开始对狐狸交尾情况进行观察，老留就更成了重要的角色。本来说好，从早晨到中午由他监视，下午由萩冈接班，但是，老留却可以整天满不在乎地盘腿坐在监视塔上。他仰起那张只露出额角、圆圆的鼻子和鼻子周围一小块肉皮的、长满浓须的面孔，干脆地说：“干么，啥都是活儿！” 　　对于老留来说，狐狸的交尾也好，监视塔正对面白雪皑皑的浅间山的喷烟也好，都差不多，都不过是一种现象，只要能够随时看到，不漏掉就成。萩冈和芳子连每天的三顿饭也和这位老留一起在堂屋里坐在椅子上围着炉子吃。山里的冬日生活是以火炉为中心团团转的，正象地球的轨道不离开太阳一样。不只是老留，连那简直把嘴都伸向你鼻头来叫唤的山羊和鸡，如今都是这个小天地里的伴侣。此外，从菜窖里多取出的马铃薯、卷心菜、萝卜之类的蔬菜，放在屋地上就会冻坏的东西，都用棉被盖了放在身旁；一天烧到晚的劈柴也堆在伸手就能够到的墙边；洗过的衬衫等贴身衣服，也用绳子挂在头顶。芳子在这块小天地里，为狐狸做菜粥，准备一家人的食物，有时还替邻家的阿浪照着新到的妇女杂志剪裁式样美观的劳动裤。裁缝桌就是饭桌，也是萩冈的书桌。本来，萩冈对于居室的整顿有着洁癖，连一支钢笔放不正也都要介意的，但在第二年的冬天，却也能够泰然生活在这样的环境里了。当他自嘲地和平濑谈到这个问题时，再一次强调说：就因为是这样的家，所以才能在这里过冬，因此，这所房子买得很好！ 　　“东京那里闹疏散，所以这一带的房价涨得很凶。就拿这所房子说吧，现在多出一倍的价钱也买不到手。据说，车站前面不到三间的破烂房子，还卖了五千圆哩。” 　　“那可真不得了！” 　　“但是，狐狸却要玩完，因为美国是最大的主顾呀！这么一来，经销商也都要撒手啦。再加上统销啦、配给啦，管理严格起来，越后①的鱼啥时候来也不保准了。现在，您是知道的，花了不少冤枉钱，连定货的一半也来不了。狐狸可不象山羊和鸡，光靠草料和杂粮可应付不了。那样立刻会影响毛的光泽呀!我老婆那家伙气势汹汹地说什么，连人都得勒紧裤带的时候，还养那种净吃贵重东西的玩意儿干什么！昨天，我们还吵了一架呢！” 　　平濑每次来，都谈这类的话。萩冈安慰他说，战争就象人的病灾，热度一退就会慢慢好起来的，不会永远打下去，劝他不要把事情想得太绝望。 　　“您说得对。在我，这是一辈子的事业。所以我有决心：就是自己挨饿，也要想法让狐狸吃上。到了最没有办法的时候，就是一对，两对都成，也要养下去留着当种狐。说了归齐，还是钱的问题，您用不着剥下皮来马上去换钱，我跟您不同，这就难办啦！” 　　“哪里！彼此都一样。” 　　萩冈虽是这么说，可是去年第一次生下来的十匹仔狐，在上月刚养到八个月头上，他就留下一半，把其余的五匹放进平濑的屠宰箱里用哥罗芳①熏死，打算做成银狐围脖。送给人作礼物。本来，熟制毛皮的店铺因为全力赶制军需毛皮物件，银狐围脖之类的东西何时可以制成，遥遥无期，曾一度拒绝过，经平濑用老主顾的关系才勉强交过去的。他以愉快的心情等待着制成后，首先送给芳子，再就是送给东京的继母和妹妹、佐佐木太太，最后的一条他想先不送给婶母，而送给她的独生女——嫁到广岛去的堂妹。 　　“是啊，就象您说的那样，把战争当作病灾，要沉住气干下去。跟前这种出师大捷的情况继续下去，也就会出乎意料地很快地结束哪！”平濑说到这里从椅子上站起身来，弯着腰望望窗外说，“还要下场雪呀。”说着就走出屋去。他穿了一双长统胶靴，好象把他那短小的身体的一半都装了进去似的。外面传来他沉重的靴子踏着冻雪的声音；接着一声声狐鸣冲破了严冬二月的沉寂。一进交尾期，它们那富有特征的叫声就变得尖厉、清澈而又高昂，带有一种恋慕的衰切情调。所谓狐臭——在任何野兽中一闻就可以知道那是狐狸的那种浓重的气味，这个季节也就更加强烈。去年初冬时分的交尾期，萩冈每次走进狐舍，都要作呕，感到晕眩。现在虽然惯了，但每次送狐食回来，也都要用肥皂洗过手脸，而且要把手指送到鼻端嗅上一嗅。 　　“我已经沾上狐臭了。” 　　“真的吗?平濑先生倒真有一股狐狸气味呢！您没闻到吗?” 　　“他也许觉得得意哪。——战争弄得他生意不振，也真有点可怜哩。” 　　“他太太说，他对她说过，无论是日清战争和日俄战争，都没打上两年，所以这次再忍耐一年，就会结束，并且会得到大胜利的。” 　　“这个……究竟会怎样呢……”萩冈摇摇头。但是，他的怀疑比起后来的变化估计得还是过于乐观了。不仅一年之后不能结束，而且从那时候起，战争是越打越厉害了。日本人过去虽在从事战争，但毋宁说并不了解战争究竟是怎么回事。现在，他们第一次知道了：在利用无穷无尽的石油、煤炭、钢铁、橡胶、棉花和其他一切物质，进行有组织的赫拉克勒斯式的生产面前，单纯的精神力量的昂扬，为了进行这种鼓动而发出的空洞的喊叫、虚张声势和瞒哄欺骗等等，都是无济于事的。 　　第四年的冬天，高原的居民，加上疏散到此地来的人们，增加了将近一倍。车站前的破房子高价卖出的风言风语已成为旧话，现在，买一间墙皮褪落的四铺半席的房间，也得出和那个数目相近的价钱。那种烤火烧饭两用的火炉，价钱涨得更是吓人，连用坏了扔在堆房深处的旧货也都搜罗出来；至于用现在很难到手的洋铁桶一剖两个作成的新火炉，买一个就要花上四五百圆。 　　佐佐木想在秋季把妻子须磨子和真儿疏散到山庄去的时候，为了弄到一个炉子，也是首先费了很大周折的。学校虽已停课，但为监督被动员到工厂里去的学生，他还不能离开东京。因此，他只能先把妻子送到山里，过年的时候到这里看看，或是到疏散在县内的村镇的同类工厂办事时，偶尔顺便到家里瞧瞧。一家人分散在几处生活，这是目前的一般情况。好在别墅村里已有疏散来的数十家街坊，让年轻的妻子和年幼的儿子在山里居住，也并不那么不放心；而且对于过冬已有经验的萩冈，就住在不到三十分钟路程的铁道那面，这也使他觉得是个依靠。妇女们在一起更增加了彼此间的亲近，并且为了使真儿不至于感到闷得慌，须磨子也常常到芳子家串门。浅间山和周围的群山，原野，虽然已经是白茫茫一片，可是路上的雪还不到五六寸。在单人踏出的窄而浅的雪沟里，走在前面的真儿常常把两只胶靴并在一起，象滑雪似地滑着走。他也喜欢用老留给做的、跟母亲一样的白桦手杖，一边走一边在雪地上划出线来。雪在波纹式的洼下去的地方，仿佛带有淡青色。母亲有时也用同样的手杖给他画小鸟。天空除了下雪的日子以外，经常是万里无云，一片清澄。白天在温暖的大气之中，这样玩着去作客，真比夏天还要愉快。 　　“这样的东西，出门不戴它，走起路来还要出汗哪。”须磨子说着，从头上取下防空用的厚棉头巾。这种东西成为累赘，其实也并不光是因为季节不久就要到三月了。在这样偏僻的地方，河对面山脚下的村庄和车站前面的高塔上悬挂着的吊钟，也时时发出鸣声。发生战争以后更讨厌收听广播而不装收音机的萩冈，常常和女人们一起倾听这当——当当的简短的钟声。他怀念着不知在哪个战舰，在哪里的海上漂流着的叔父。东京的继母和妹妹，在他们迁进山里来以后，招了入赘女婿，现已在这个女婿的本家的帮助下，疏散到奈良去了。 　　“那里粮食不那么缺，另外他们大概以为美国飞机不会轰炸日本的‘佛罗伦萨’。”提起家里疏散到奈良的事，萩冈这样说。 　　“那末，工厂地带的人们该是危险的啦！”须磨子马上惦念起目前正在工厂地带生活着的丈夫来了。 　　“一想到佐佐木先生，那么沉着的须磨子也说，恨不得马上回到东京去哩。” 　　“那倒是难怪的，但是，为了真儿也不能干那种冒失的事。而且佐佐木又是那样的人，通常的情况下，是不会出什么差错的。” 　　“我也是这么说，每次见面都安慰她呢。” 　　但是，不久以后，安慰别人的人却变成被人安慰的人了。 　　一天早晨，老留很早就来接他们，这是从未有过的事情。若问清缘由，就得在老留的耳根大喊一阵，从他迟钝的口中掏出回答来，有这时间也就走到了。因此，须磨子什么也没有问，马上就准备出发。老留在土间里不声不响地弯下腰去，把真儿背了起来。从他的动作可以看出芳子是等得多么急。须磨子立刻焦灼起来，紧紧地跟定已背着真儿大踏步向前走着的老留，比往常早到了几分钟。芳子开了门说不出话来，簌簌地流着大颗的眼泪。屋子充满了升汞水的气味，一切都明白了。去年早春，萩冈也咯过一次血。 　　“真儿，还是去喂山羊吃草吧。哎，让留伯伯给你拿草。” 　　须磨子巧妙地把真儿哄到堆房那边去，只剩两人留在土间里的炉边，这不光是为了详细地听听病情，而且也是为了不让真儿一起跟到病房去。据说，病人从昨天黄昏时分连续略过四次血，现在正昏昏沉沉地睡着。第一次咯血是在和老留把狐食锅抬到狐舍去的时候，惊惶失措跑回来的老留，真象变成了哑巴，只用喉音发出奇怪的叫声，一味用手指着狐舍。这表情使芳子大吃一惊，她赶忙跑去；在狐舍前面的积雪上她看到了一些猩红的斑点。穿着藏青色绒线衫的萩冈，把他那瘦长的身子靠在铁丝网上，正用手帕擦嘴。看到芳子跑来，他那酷似亡母的眼角和圆润、柔和、微带褐色的眼睛，浮起了纤弱的微笑，那眼光，既不是悲哀，也不是惊惶，而是一种仿佛淘过气的孩子在乞求宽恕的恭谨的凝视。直到芳子走近身边，他也没有改变这种眼神，好象要把芳子的姿影吸进眼睛里似的，一个劲儿地瞅着她。 　　在里间的病房里，摆着从原住在下轻井泽现已回国的外国人手里买到的床，安设着从第一次咯血买下的取暖专用的火炉。比起吃饭间、厨房两用的，老留、山羊和鸡杂居的房间来，更见整洁，好似两家。 　　“哦，原来是须磨子太太。” 　　头上放着冰袋，似醒非醒、睡眼蒙胧的萩冈，似乎把背着窗子坐在—旁的她，当成了芳子。声音虽已嘶哑，但他那睡后平静的面庞，加上两颊烧得微红，看去和平日并没有多大分别。 　　“您觉得怎样?芳子刚刚出去取冰去啦！” 　　“头不痛了，精神也好些了。这回可能不再发作啦。” 　　接着他的话，须磨子肯定地说：“是嘛！以后，您安静地休养一些天就成啦。”但是在一个星期之内，仍未停止咯血。 　　这一带本是无医村，不，毋宁说本来是没有需要医生的居民和村庄的。在有了人烟以后，病人也只好到草津、轻井泽和小诸一带去就医。不过，大都不去费那些事和花那种钱，而是听任自然的淘汰，就象高原的野草随着冬日的到来一同枯萎一样。后来，一位因为战争疏散到这里的姓牧的医生，开始在车站面前开业行医。他是个有经验的老医生，本来在千叶有所医院，现在已交给儿子继续开业。他给人的印象好，对绘画也有兴趣，从去年发作的时候起就为萩冈诊治，他们的交往已超过主治医生和患者的关系，所以连现在很难找到的护士，他也硬从儿子那里要了来。须磨子到萩冈家里去，常常顺便住在那里。那时候，就把真儿交给邻居阿浪照看。狐狸早就由平濑代为照管了。在日本到处都填不饱肚子的时候，好歹没叫将近十对的狐狸饿死，是因为沾了萩冈的补助费的光。但鱼是无论如仍也买不到手了，附近矿山上的人常常私下宰牛，靠了牛杂碎还可以勉强对付。由于平濑总叨咕胃口大的狐狸可怜，阿浪常常跟他吵起来。 　　“嗳，你这个人哪，以为现在是什么时候?真的，美国飞机要来就来吧，轰隆一声给狐舍来那么一下，才痛快昵！” 　　阿浪一发脾气就想把烧到咕嘟咕嘟翻滚的热锅掀翻来代替炸弹。这天也正在气势汹汹吵闹的时候，须磨子领着牧医生进来了，说：“阿浪嫂，借你们的里屋用用。” 　　病人想见佐佐木，须磨子不知叫佐佐木来好，还是不来好，她担心他们的会面会对萩冈的病起不好的影响。这样的话当然不能在病房里谈，就是在芳子旁边也不能谈。人常常由于希望成为什么样子而产生错觉，以为实际就是那个样子。这种一般的心理，使得芳子看到萩冈渐斩停止咯血，就以为这是开始好转的明证，把心里的一块大石头放下来了。萩冈也斩钉截铁地说：“不要担心，我不会死，一定要好起来给你看！”对待丈夫的一切言语都从未怀疑过的芳子，这个时候，更不能认为这是谎话。不，毋宁说，她不能想象丈夫会撇下自己死去，正象在这个高原上住了一辈子的人不能想象大海一样。 　　牧医生并不反对叫佐佐木来，而且还主动地问“奈良那里怎么办哪?” 　　“是啊……” 　　“他的心脏可是衰弱得很厉害啊。” 　　须磨子只用力动了一下哽塞的喉头，没有立刻答话。病情已严重到这种地步，这在她也是没有想到的。牧医生用他那行职业的冷静态度说，死只不过是时间问题，而且常有空袭，火车不能正常运行，临时通知，恐怕一时赶不到。须磨子不得不把萩冈和他继母的关系告诉了医生。她们忽然赶来，那就等于对病人宣告死亡。 　　“还是等佐佐木来了再说吧。” 　　“好吧。” 　　和牧先生打交道，询问病情，一直是须磨子的事。就是在芳子光顾淌眼抹泪的时候，须磨子也能够洒洒脱脱地处理一些事情，但是，这时候她送走牧先生之后，心神却也不安起来。她跟医生进行了这么重大的事情的商谈，这使她的心受到一次严肃的冲击，同时想到可以借这个机会同久别的丈夫见面，而不禁暗自感到喜悦，这又使她觉得内疚。这样，她就更觉得蒙在鼓里的芳子太可怜了。 　　“什么呀，这不是没什么大不了的嘛。” 　　佐佐木赶来，大模大样地坐在床边，关于病只说了这些话。然后，他就一个人滔滔不绝地说下去：妻给他的信走了一星期才收到，第二天，足等了五个小时才上去夜车——与其说是“上去”，不如说象马铃薯似的给“装”进了麻袋，快到熊谷的时候，又响起了空袭警报，在黑暗中足足停了两个小时，每响一次警报，东京就越发变得不象东京，不久以前，四月十三日的轰炸引起的大火，从历史意义上说，有机会看到这种壮观并不算坏；不好对付的是大白天就在头顶上乱飞的战斗机，比起这种飞机来，B29倒显得悠然壮观，在春光明媚的蔚蓝的天空中，伸展着长大的机翼，疾转着的螺旋桨好似给机体戴了一顶闪闪发光的宝冠，这一切看去是那样匀称，当这些银光闪闪的机群飞来时，虽说是敌人，但是也叫人爱看，甚至会看得出神，这种力学的美，真是不亚于希腊卫城的一种新的谐调的美；等等。他用一种故意说得好听的反话，给悲惨和灾祸涂上一层色彩，照他这种说法，仿佛就象没有什么人伤亡一样。 　　“但是，不管罗西法①长得多么漂亮，魔鬼总是魔鬼。你们能够生活在这块土地上，处于他们的跳梁圈外，实在是幸福啊。” 　　“是啊，我是幸福的。”萩冈回声似地答道。接着，他作出一副狡猾的笑脸，仿佛是说，你为什么用那种谨慎小心的口气说话，我早看穿了。他目不转睛地瞅着对方，然后用低沉但很坚决的声音说：“不过佐佐木，特意叫你来，并不是为了听听东京挨炸的新闻啊。” 　　“那末你说，象我这样刚从东京来的人，还有什么别的话可谈呢?” 　　佐佐木故意不服输地用同样探索的微笑，望着躺在床上的他那瘦削苍白、额角上散乱着漆黑头发的面孔。 　　“那倒是的。不过与其听你谈什么，我倒是有话要跟你说说的。可是，你却……” 　　“你是说我下车伊始就哇啦哇啦说了不少废话吗?好，那就赶快听听你的吧，——前言少叙。” 　　与其说这是病人和探病人之间的谈话，不如说，他们象是在高中时代一起躺在宿舍里的万年床①上进行争论。这当然是为了避免委靡的感伤，彼此互相故意的做作，但即使如此，萩冈还是一下把头扭向墙壁了。两个叠在一起的雪白的大洋枕头倾斜下来，从洋枕头的低洼处看到他那少年般的细瘦的项部，佐佐木的眼睛忽然热起来。 　　“明天再谈吧。”萩冈又一次转过脸来说。“过一会儿又要发烧啦。明天上午来吧！” 　　“嗳，好吧。” 　　“还活得到明天上午。” 　　萩冈那让泪水沾湿了的脸上，静静地浮起了一丝微笑。 　　本来佐佐木想说：别说那些没影的话！可是他把话咽回去，从椅子上站起来了。 　　第二天上午的病房，洒满了五月初旬的清朗的阳光。阳光柔和得就跟平原早春一样，枕边小桌上的花瓶里，插着蒲柳，发出银灰色天鹅绒似的点点光泽，表示高原寂寥的冬季已经过去，病人比昨天精神显得更好，原来从鼻下到下颔之间形成一片微黑痕迹的胡须也刮得干干净净，瘦削的脸庞也显得清秀起来。 　　“今天早晨说是您要来，特意修饰了一番。”芳子一面撤去早饭的小案，一面愉快地说。佐佐木的来临，使她天真地振作起了精神。 　　“昨天你来得太突然啦。”萩冈也面带微笑地说。然后唤住正要走出房间的芳子：“芳子，我和佐佐木有事情要商量，你请牧先生下午再来。别让老留去，最好还是你亲自去一下，这里暂时没有什么事。” 　　只剩下两个人了。暂时，谁也没有先开口，后来萩冈突然问道：“今天是几号?” 　　“九号。” 　　“那么说，我们来到这里到后天整整是四年了，真快！”茫然仰望着白灰顶棚的萩冈，独语似地说。他保持着这种仰卧的姿势，接着又说：“我已经不行啦！” 　　“咯两三次血就得死掉，那在日本就不会有肺病啦。” 　　“你这么说，我当然高兴，不过，咱们还是不要再互相欺骗了吧。我已经有了精神准备。你昨天说我幸福的时候，我回答说，实在是幸福。那并不是假话。能够住在这里，在你们都在面前的时候死去，在现在这种时候，已经是超过所谓幸福啦！” 　　“这么说，也不应该自己绝望，急于追求死呀！在任何时候，失掉生存意志，作为人来说，都是怯懦的。哪怕你单单想到芳子一个人，也不能死去呀！” 　　“你这么说，我也很难过呀！” 　　他们面对面地谈着，从萩冈的脸上簌簌地流下眼泪来，佐佐木已经不得不用自己的手帕替他揩拭了。萩冈用静脉突起、指甲失掉色泽的双手握住为他拭泪的手。 　　“兴奋对身体不好，还是别谈这些吧。” 　　“没关系，没关系。”萩冈坚决地表示反对，松开双手，把湿漉漉的两排睫毛阖起来，闭上眼睛，停了三四秒钟，再睁开来时，情绪已经平复了。“芳子的事以后再慢慢谈吧。一切事情都得拜托你，有必要详细谈谈。不过简单地说，我若不遇到她，我想一定会把少年时代以来的一切不幸都带到坟墓里去，而终究不知道所谓人生一世还有什么愉快的事情。从这个意义说，芳子是拯救了我；我自己也想，我是被拯救的。这次我说我不会死，她也信以为真，以为我会好起来。我们不管在结婚以前还是以后，彼此都没有说过假话，而这一次我却完全欺骗了她。正因为如此，我撇下芳子而死，对她负的责任就比一般丈夫要重一些。” 　　“既然这么想，那就下决心争取活下去呀！可是你倒象是在追求着什么而宁愿愉快地死去似的。这是不能饶恕的奢侈。”， 　　“是奢侈吗?”把下颔放在洁净的鸭绒被的被头上，反复咀嚼着上面的话，暂时沉默起来的萩冈点点头，又一次开口说，“给你这么一说，真好象一切都是这样。在这样的战争年代里，睡在这里养肺病也是很大的奢侈哩！” 　　“用不着把话头连到这些问题上来嘛。” 　　“嗳，让我说下去。虽然说法不同，但我从最近，不，从去年咯血以后，也有过同样的想法。全世界终于变成了这种样子。欧洲，不必说它，在我们周围的一切战线上，人和人都在互相残杀。在从前的战争里不直接流血的人，现在在轰炸底下也都不能幸免。家被烧毁，变得一贫如洗，不断挨饿，互相憎恨，互相偷盗，而我在这种时候，却悠然躺在温暖的床上。不咯血，不发烧的时候，也并不那么痛苦。大家都亲切地照顾我，吃的，烧的，可以从黑市买，什么也不缺。连警报的钟声，穿过高原和森林远远听来，也不觉得害怕，甚至还感到有一种诗意。难道说，这种生活是可以容许的吗?我常常怀疑。” 　　“把病人拉去打仗，不是也没有用吗?” 　　“不，就是得病以前也一样。我们——这是应该用复数来说的——一直就是这样生活过来的；别人感到困难，我们并不觉得困难。当然，这说的是物质方面，总之，在社会生活方面，我们因为有钱，那是占了很大便宜的。能够从大学毕业，能够随便辞掉银行差事，能够一半当作消遣似的养狐，能够这样躺在床上，也都是由于同样的理由；而我对于这些从来没有做过任何报答，光是享受。但是，这样的便宜事，当然不会总这么继续下去，到头来不知什么时候，一定要偿还同等的代价的！” 　　“这难道能够用病来偿还吗?” 　　按照思想的脉络，应该说病是必须由死来接替的。虽然佐佐木故意毫无顾忌似地说话，但这种话毕竟难于出口。可是他看到萩冈那向上翻着的炯炯发光的眼睛。他知道他没说出口的话，萩冈也听懂了。但是，萩冈一点没有表示有什么动摇，甚至还开玩笑说：“偿还的方法，因人而异，会有各式各样的。这一点，我干过银行差事，知道得比你详细。” 　　他还说，他深切地感到：不但个人或阶级要作这种偿还，国和国之间也要作这种偿还，佐佐木自己曾经说过日本有一天必定要流出它叫中国流过的同样多的血，也和这种想法一脉相通，意大利和德国投降了，日本不得不和全世界为敌，这一天眼看就要来到了。 　　“我从满洲事变①刚一爆发那天起就反对战争，但是我却没有采取任何行动。可以把这解释成为一般知识分子的卑怯。可是，抱有同样想法的人，不是自己本人在战争中被打死，就是失掉亲人，不管愿意不愿意，都被强加上某种牺牲，而我连这点也都躲过了。这还不算，战局已可预测，将来打败了仗以后，活着留下来的人要承受国家的苦痛和屈辱，我却死掉，连这种屈辱也不必尝受，实际上这不光是奢侈，而可以说是自私了。” 　　萩冈现在用仿佛谈论别人的事情的口吻和那种平静，用朝朝暮暮萦回于心的那种韧性，自管自地说下去。 　　“假如是基督徒，一定会把我的想法归结到上帝吧。若那样，倒是会爽爽快快得到解脱的，可惜我又没有信仰。当然，我活到今天也经受了很大苦恼，一直被这种苦恼折磨着。我也祈祷，我也祝告。但这只是对于一种模糊不清的巨大力量的祈愿，而不是基督徒以耶稣和圣母的名义所举行的祈祷，也不念‘南无阿弥陀佛’。这样看来，离开宗教传统，野生野长的我们是不幸的。不过，也许是因为我喜欢大自然吧，我总有这样一种想法：分解成为原子的身体，在这大自然中又将形成一种东西，而得到新生。我躺在这里常常想各种各样的事。我想：我也许会变成美丽的云彩飘浮在这高原的天空，也许会变成落叶松的嫩芽，或者变成紫色的茂密的龙胆草，再不就变成溪流中的一滴水。你说，是这样吧？” 　　萩冈抬起眼睛来仿佛征求同意，然后又把眼光移到枕畔的蒲柳上，莞尔一笑：“这花明年也许就是我哩。” 　　佐佐木虽然怕他话说得太多，但又不想打断他。因为佐佐木知道，他谈得这样愉快，和他那种转生的幻想，的确是适合于他这样热爱大自然的人的宗教，同时也是没有拿笔写过一行的他的最后的诗篇。 　　“我从前和芳子谈过希腊神话里的菲勒蒙和包喀斯的故事。我说最好我们死的时候也变成一种什么树，同时同刻死去。这是在那以前就有过的誓言。我在咯血以前，曾经有一个时期相当健康，甚至我自己都很惊异，但反而产生了死的预感，对于芳子也感到一种从来有过的嫉妒心。我死了也不想把芳子撇下。但是，目前的心情却完全变了。我把生长在日本桥的中心地带的她，带到这样的地方来。在东京家里，她光是受气，而在这里又是护理病人。再要她一道跟着死，光是这么想，也就够罪过的了。我解除和芳子定的誓言。可是这种话不大可能当面和她谈，所以就先拜托你啦。请你在我死后……” 　　一提到妻子的名字，眼里就浮出了泪水，他虽抽紧鼻子，咬着上唇，极力想忍住，可是眼泪却哗哗地流了下来，从上边眼睛流出的泪水流过鼻梁，跟下边贴近枕头的眼睛流出的泪水汇合在一起了。萩冈把半边脸浸在热泪里，提出了具体的托付，东京的家目前还没有遭到意外，但早晚要被烧掉，很难在那里举行葬礼。希望芳子在举行葬礼以前继续留在这里照样生活下去。这是遗嘱的第一点，请佐佐木转达。假如说，不是一般情人之间的单纯的热情誓言，而是在夫妇之间有过那么严肃的山盟海誓，那末这项遗嘱无疑就是解除那盟誓的极其自然的话了。佐佐木已经率直地承担下来，要他放心。 　　“谢谢。因为有这件事要拜托你，所以才想快点见到你。我可是太幸福了。你和须磨子待我都那么亲切，芳子又是那么善良的女人。请你们和待我一样，也亲切地待她吧。本来这样的事情是用不着跟你们说的。——奈良那儿，我也想和她们言归于好。虽说并没有吵什么架，总之，不管继母和妹妹采取什么态度，我跟她们一般见识是不好的。我要向她们赔礼，请她们亲切地对待芳子。仔细想来，当了不是亲生的孩子的母亲也是很深的缘分呢。我们本来应该真诚相见、和睦相处啊。这么一想，我遇见芳子，也同样是一种缘分，也可以说是命运，也可以说是叫人捉摸不透的事。和你们处的这么亲近，我觉得的确也是叫人捉摸不透的事。对于这块土地，对于邻居平濑夫妇，对于老留，我觉得也都是如此。我不到别处而偏偏到此地来，成为他们的邻居，或者主人，开始养狐，这也是奇怪的缘分。就是这群狐狸，从这种意义来说，我比先前更觉得它们可爱了。三号狐舍里的怀了孕，大概是前天，平濑来时说，再过一星期就要生了。若能够看到仔狐平安无事地生下来，我再死去，那我可高兴啦！” 　　萩冈最后的小小愿望实现了，他又活了两个多月，在战争结束的两个星期前死去了。六月初继母和妹妹从奈良绕道中央线到这里来过一次，讲了些名古屋附近遭到机枪扫射的可怕景象之后，便回去了。这次甚至没有来得及通知她们。作为亲属前来参加葬礼的只有疏散到下轻井泽的两三个人，他们不过是出出面罢了，佐佐木在临终之前赶来，一切事情都委托给他了。这地方没有火葬场。棺木在黄昏时分由平濑、老留和车站前面打过交道的人以及脚夫们抬到山脚下村子头上盛开着苦菜花和桔梗花的洼地上，人们挖了一个坑，把棺木跨放在坑口上，上面摆了三袋木炭，坑里装满圆木柴，最后，用沾水的草席盖好。这就是他们安排的火葬仪式。本来是应该由丧主点火的，但也得由佐佐木来代点了。女人被赶了回去，就连佐佐木自己看到焚尸堆罩在一片浓烟里之后，也让别人给劝回去了。这是当地的规矩。他和牧先生一起往回走，道路两旁是茂密的很深的野草，路窄得两个人不能并行，露水冰凉，虫声唧唧，山野已是秋天了。没有月亮，但是星光闪闪，淡葡萄色的天空中，浮现着朦胧的浅间山影。夜里开花的百合科麝香萱，斑斑点点，从一片片茂密的野草中高高地伸出头来。这种美丽得仿佛带点妖气的花，为这山雾弥漫的静寂的夜色增加了微白的梦幻般的气氛。佐佐木知道萩冈非常喜爱这种花。空气中飘来一阵阵淡淡的烟味，他扭回头去张望，已经看不见火光了，感慨地对走在前面的牧先生说：“这才是名副其实的野地送葬哪，对萩冈说来这是很合适的葬礼呢。” 　　芳子没有发生大家所担心的事情。本来担心她会哭得死去活来，可是竟没有怎么哭，只是呆呆地傻了似地沉默着，须磨子不来强拉她，连饭也不想吃。即使在战争结束的广播传遍每一个角落，人们相见，无不谈论这个问题的时候，她也完全无动于衷，好象把有过战争的事也忘了。但是，她不想跟着丈夫死去，并不是忘记了誓言，也不是不诚实，更不是遵照丈夫的遗嘱，要在这里守着遗骨，直到能够在东京举行正式葬礼的时候。丈夫的死，犹如巨雷殛树，给了她沉重的打击，四肢躯体虽然还是老样子，但内部的重要部分却象断了保险丝的机器一样，已经光剩下一个空架子了，就象用科学办法装配起来的机械人不能说复杂的言语一样，芳子也只能说些“是”、“不”等短语。从本质上看，可以说她是恪守誓言跟着丈夫一起死去了；因为剩下来的只是一具从生理上说没有发生变化的行尸罢了。 　　“情形有点不好呀，芳子不会发生意外吗?昨天，她在寝室窗前站了一天呢。” 　　“那也难怪，可是精神病比肺病还棘手哩。” 　　佐佐木夫妇甚至私下里谈到这类话了。 　　东京的住宅，在五月十五日空袭中烧毁了。住在奈良的继母还照旧留在那里。萩冈用他那银行家似的细心为芳子作了详细的安排，这一切全都委托给佐佐木了。但是在战后动荡不定的情况下，这些需要进行麻烦交涉的事情，并不是那么容易办的。因此，佐佐木便期待着萩冈的叔父桦中将归来。目前，只知道他因为负伤正在台湾的医院中进行疗养，本以为他不会很快回来的，但不到二月桦中将就回来了，并且突然来到山中。 　　“啊，我还以为是哪一位哪！” 　　从里面打开门的须磨子，吃了一惊，用同样的语调向屋里喊道：“芳子，芳子，叔叔来啦！” 　　近来的芳子好似卧床数年，好不容易保住性命的病人，瘦削得身子又细又长，她把脚尖张开，迈着踉跄的步子走出来，用深陷下去的又黑又圆的眼睛，茫然望着失去左臂的叔父由须磨子帮着在脱靴子的背影。身量同萩冈差不多，面孔长得也很相象的叔父，吃力地走进里屋，低头望着她说:“哦，阿芳，伸一也遭到了不幸啊！” 　　久久未曾听到过的爱称，无异于丈夫的呼唤。她不回答，也不问候，便蹒跚地扑到叔父穿着他不常穿的西服的胸前，放出在萩冈临终时也没有过的大声号啕痛哭起来。 　　“这是怎么啦，这是怎么啦，要坚强些！” 　　芳子止不住哭，也不想离开叔父。一直冻结在内心里的一切悲凄的感情，仿佛在这一瞬间都变成了眼泪。叔父只好象哄小孩一般，和须磨子一起把久久呜咽不已的芳子拉到里屋去。 　　从这天赶，芳子的生活慢慢地复苏了。这位在广岛的原子弹轰炸中失去妻子和女儿一家人，本人又和自己的军服一起成为社会上的废物，孤独的天涯沦落人的老中将，也在这里找到了新的生活。 　　好不容易回到自己山庄去的须磨子，时常前来看望他们。叔父接下了萩冈生前的工作，芳子也象伺侯萩冈一样，体贴地伺候着叔父，邻人平濑也如开始养狐时教给萩冈一样，教给老人。六十三岁的老中将，顺从地服从一切指导，就象新水兵从刷洗甲板开始锻炼起一样。他把狐狸又接回来了。 　　叔父穿着萩冈干活时穿的旧裤子，上身穿着芳子为了消毒重新织过的绒线衫，用那只还能自由活动的右手提了装着狐食的洋铁桶，摇晃着左边的没有手臂的空衣袖，在狐舍里走动着。在他身上已经丝毫也看不到昔日的面影了。他也绝口不提过去的事情。同样遇到战灾，被烧了房子的佐佐木，现在自己一个人寄居在东京一位朋友家里。佐佐木前来拜望这个老中将的时候，他也只说了一句：“真是一切都对不住大家……”往下就不谈了。“不过，佐佐木先生，我能够在这里养狐，也是沾了伸一的光。干么，啥都是活儿！” 　　叔父说着老留说过的同样的话。这场败仗，把将军和乡下人结成了伙伴。 　　在密特威①海战中，他从舰桥下被炸得弹下来，但没有死去，保住了性命。现在来到这样的山里，接下没活到自己的一半年龄的侄儿撇下的养狐事业，他默默地服从着这不可思议的命运。正象芳子是活着的行尸一样，他也不过是机场上被炸毁的战斗机，或是只剩下红锈斑斑的钢骨残骸的军需工厂。只是当他跟耳朵全聋了的老留喊话时仍然用的是昔日喊号令的声音。 　　“这可是什么都有用处啊！”他独自一个哈哈地笑着。 　　邻人平濑能够象对待堂兄弟似地对待昔日的桦中将，这很使他得意。同时，由于美军进驻日本，估计银狐也将畅销，这也使他很高兴。他把跟萩冈谈过的、从桦太岛以来苦心经营养狐的经过，又和这位老中将谈了一遍。桦掐灭了配给的烟卷，接着吸起当地人们吸的土当归和蓼草的碎叶，温顺地听着。他说，当年他作为一个年轻的武官驻在美国的时候，听说过金子驻美大使帮忙最初从美国输入银狐的事。平濑听了，不由得肃然起敬了。 　　“是嘛，这么说阁下对于狐狸也不是完全没有缘分的喽。” 　　从那以后，平濑就常常用‘阁下”来称呼桦。每次听到，桦总是拦阻说，千万不要再用这个称呼。平濑的老婆阿浪，也大为反对：“嗳，你这个人哪，现在连皇上都跟咱们一样啦，还管桦先生叫什么阁下，真够戗！尽管你拍马屁，他可不是萩冈那样的少爷，再想借一个大钱，也办不到啦！” 　　冬天来到，过了年，又进入狐狸的交尾期。叫春的公狐狸，从早到晚，直到深夜，冲破零下二十度的严寒，不停地叫唤。监视工作，仍照原样，上午是老留，下午是桦。为了换班，桦都是请芳子给他早些开午饭，吃完就立刻走出屋子，从监视塔下朝上面的老留，用喊号令的声音叫道：“老留，下来吧！” 　　满脸胡须的老留慢腾腾地走下来，他就咚咚地踏响扶梯攀登上去，战舰生活锻炼的这种动作，真象年轻人一样敏捷。为了便于监视，监视塔上的窗子安得很低，三铺席的小屋子也显得颇为敞亮。当地的人们象空气一般随便使用的木炭在火炉上堆成一座小山，着得通红。吊钩上挂着水壶，里面的水已经滚开。桦在沏茶之前，先点上烟，透过玻璃窗挨个儿注视着眼下的狐舍，长长地吐出一口烟。狐狸，无论出现在朝阳的沙地上，或是躲在狐舍的小屋中，公狐狸总是缠在母狐狸的毛茸茸的尾巴后面，热情地叫着。尖厉的狐鸣，从积雪高原转向周围远远的群山。桦好象在舰桥上监视敌舰一般，审慎而又悠然地注视着眼前这些动物的亲昵的姿态。 　　 　　(1946年9月) 　　刘仲平、李芒译 　　Gang Shen Yang thought Hagi Fox, is a casual thing entirely. 　　At the end got a cold, so college was turned into pneumonia lung disease really was. In order to complete convalescence in 2023, he had no nostalgia to quit the job Mitsubishi Bank, one in May, led his wife to Karuizawa Fangzi to the north of his friends to Sasaki's this small Hill. From the higher age, he liked mountain. He originally wanted to join into the English Department Sasaki, but the family insisted he read the economy, when so often absent from school, the two or three books into the backpack to travel. Since the wire off to the bank's window lattice with the middle, he then mountain late in the spring of beauty, quiet and cool heart pleasing to the eye, even felt a strong nostalgia. 　　Before leaving Tokyo, between husband and wife had this conversation. 　　"I would like to enter a nursing home as is, where it spent a considerable period. You will not be such a determination, at the beginning do not have to go along." 　　"Yes, some determination." 　　"There now with Karuizawa completely different. One summer, even a figure is also served with friends. Tianyi particularly cold, to the winter season, from November to now this time, snow everywhere, with the community is isolated. stand it? " 　　"No matter bear can not stand, anyway, there is no other way." 　　Answer, her lips quivering, a pair of black eyes in the surface of the tear or two. Like dew on the grass plot on the tip like, tears round to stick in the eyelashes, the blink of an eye to the nose straight down the handsome rolled down, scattered. 　　Hagi is also silent Gang up, a trial of strength with a lighter draw matches. In this program, in addition to the need for early convalescence, he has also felt a secret joy of romantic Mystic, put it to his wife that he deliberately exaggerated, is that the outpouring of feeling, but the tears and back to the Buddist up to the reality of the trouble, made him feel a bit unpleasant: the widowed a few years ago, his temper became worse, but the surface still pretend to be friendly solemn stepmother; stepmother's daughter - a bit lame, missed the wedding, is not quick-witted sister; become their cold, lightly humiliated goals wife. Fangzi was originally a friend of the family servant, Hagi the surrounding hills despite the opposition since her marriage, although the family was kind enough to live with, but he and his wife lived in a small alley toward the past, often leased to foreign ambassadors Western-style house museum staff. The stepmother and sister were living together in Japanese-style house adjacent to it or the father specially invited from Nagoya, construction foreman and carpenter, though not quite Hongzhuang, but the style is very elegant. They are still the way according to my father was alive and habits through life. The Karuizawa north to take a turn to recuperate, but also to make such a separation is geographically farther away from some. Compared to swallow now, the Fangzi would rather endure the loneliness and inconvenience Mountain. Stepmother can find my sister married into a suitable son, let him take care of home. Then their responsibility to take care of the family can also be freed, also dismissed the bank job, and why bother and what is necessary to stay in Tokyo boring too! Gang Hagi This attitude seems in his widow stepmother, with her husband from the official sector into an active case of two businessmen in contrast to that is not sterile, is back, and think this is wrong cast of marriage. If it is the right of marriage, the wife will never let her husband have done this not be known to do: to do a little sick, put Mitsubishi's job to throw away, ran out of Tokyo to go. The first is that out did not sound, but also can not tell people to say. This anger, somehow fell from the so-called in a day hospital revealed a return to the front surface of the Fangzi head, for her, it is difficult to endure. If not, when the uncle of Admiral Cheng actively support them, and even two weddings are not held in common. Hagi Gang intentionally avoiding his father left the leaf-equipped Hills, try to walk away several times by a friend of the Villa and inconvenient, but also for this reason. When a major earthquake in Japan Bridge ① Fangzi lost their parents, after staying at home aunt Ushigome area, grew up in poverty, the hard-won on the women's vocational school, while traveling in the school the first time get the train. Kang himself how to live without Hagi, in her are unimaginable. However, if this is the normal time to leave Tokyo, and she may feel even more miserable too! 　　① Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan within the poetry center, financial and commercial hub. 　　In short, they like to come here. The total surface is transferred to recuperate. Suddenly, he is a fox raising, just as at the beginning of that, it completely by accident. This idea was first raised fox farm led Fangzi time to see cause to the. Fox Field in support of that side of the station, Hagi Gang to the mountains to the total time to get there take a turn. "This time I told my wife was holding together with everyone in the mood to _set_tle down here, and like him to care. Sick thing, but ran out of ammunition fills in Tokyo, so I thought some time to grow some potatoes or something, to When the farmer friends. can be read fine rain farming it. " 　　Hagi Gang said such a hearing, Yang Ping _Set_o fox farm owner advised him to keep Fox, said: "The clear reading of farming rain? Harvest live is not so easy to dry Yeah. Just here to be planting in mid-May, late September began to frost, busy, the big cost is also not receive anything fresh. Or Yang Yang crops Sure than fox. keep it at the beginning of a pair of two pairs, first with small-scale dry, do not benefit non-profit management, it can be very interesting! dealing with living things, have to up the morning at dawn, have beds the things by the book to it. physically weak people, do such activities on health is also good for it! " 　　"That would be a good idea. But I do not like to raise this way Fox ah. However, when the bank teller, I do not what self-confidence had come forward." 　　Gang Yang Zhelian Hagi, showing adenosis quality collar neck and prominent Adam's apple long, smiling. Although it is self-deprecating tone, but tone is rarely heard in Tokyo, hearty, lively. Ping _Set_o pour over the tea the second time, and that wanted to do for as long as there is no problem, still continue to support Fox talk about things. 　　"Keep other stuff too, keep Fox, you cherish it, this is the biggest secret. In fact, as you get to use, will naturally produce a feeling dear. I Well, according to my wife that love fox also worse than the love of family on! " 　　A wave of his wife, is a corner of the room to chat with Fangzi. The house is not a Western-style, and shop floor is cement for the summer from Karuizawa to under the foreign guests can wear shoes, go in, the wall is also a cheap wallpaper paste. Them the layout of the room into the corner of the window like a glass case, standing in a glass case in front of Ah Long, pointed collar placed on the inside of the silver fox, hand cage, waistcoat, and said how they how cheap, compared with three increasingly, the price is only - half. This is a shoulder a large waist, four-year-old woman up and down, round, plump face, as often as residents of this plateau, there are some UV drying out of the dark red spots, thick arms and legs, strong body and strong, like a pretty woman. Standing, wearing a Western shirt Fangzi, although sub-similar, look a lot still full, but made it very delicate thin by comparison of the. In particular, half-white hair, back slightly bent, a small flat skeleton _Set_o, wave front in Afghanistan, not here with as her husband, inverted image is the father. A wave is a second wife, watching her husband to talk to a difference of more than twenty years. Ping _Set_o's two sons have flown, it is said, they said the fox family, refers to the stepmother. But Hagi Gang believe that just as some people say flat _Set_o is a liar, and he is one good place to be, like, this is not necessarily within the dispensers as bad as people say. The relationship between themselves and stepmother from a thought, but he did not want to imagine that this woman is very bad. Gang of emotions in Hagi, this ingredient are many. In fact, he often went in a mood to reflect on the bitter aftertaste since childhood, never hated, resisted, with Fangzi marriage thing, be the only one exception. Tears 　　Glass case above the old wall clock, this time in a feeble voice played ten. 　　After listening to the last ring, flat with his wife beat _Set_o say hello, and said, while he was leading when the guests to the farm for corn dumpling point. Said, as he rose from his chair, received the guests went to the backyard. The front rack up the floor a little hut off the ground, in front of the open space of about two-floor, which is a pair of fox home and playground. Such a unit, connected to a crowded cell, separated by barbed wire across the open, have a barbed wire surrounded the outside wall to form a rectangle of the tribe. Where not much, but in the empty brown grass fields and the middle ridge, you can see the fox, for the twenty children that there is no established several roof, the light has four wire frame home. Ridge in the field, drilled just bud early sowing of peas, grass tied to the goat, fox homes dotted the drawing looked like a Japanese paper. There are also other buildings of a grid pattern, which is the same as cascade high tower watch tower, from above, saw that a fox can be a house. Fox, not a small house, in their movement across the field open to the sun. Heard the sound of approaching people, warning them to look back and a long bushy tail, and some to toss, turn and fled into the hut, and some pointed ears erect, with silver-gray eyes shoot your breath to see you hanging for a while, and then line of sight, changing the tip of the nose all right Side to get on the ground close to the wire. Swinging the tail and some business as usual, kept moving around slowly. Coat, said the characteristics of the so-called silver alone, one by one, looked sharp on a black, middle white, close to the root of the skin is gray; the whole looked like under a layer of frost, the white lines more Yingjie , the more regarded as fine varieties, made collar, the price is high. Concentrated in the tip of the tail also white hair, white ball into a ball shape, and is said to be more valuable. But here they do not see. Feed is adequate, Chen grains than there are fish, care is also very good, so smooth coat, plenty of sunshine in May under the plateau shiny, in a barbed wire next to a small pear trees are blooming, the branch head full of white flowers, looking like an impressionist painting-like. 　　"It looks beautiful, is not so scary too!" 　　Fangzi never been so near to carefully read a fox, now wildly over the child with great spirit to go side to side. Her words, for the fairy tale or not a very good reputation in other parts of this beast, with a kind of sympathy. 　　"Afraid of a fox ah. Wife!" Ranging from opening next to Fangzi husband, walking in front of the flat _Set_o first burst in, "said the fox sinister, suspicious of strong heart, it is because Fox always wary of were a kind of Fear. This can also be said to be quick-witted, to master the habit to play with it, There is nothing more harmless animal in it. " 　　"Block statue of a fox will give you stand it!" 　　"Ha ha ha. But no such sympathy, it is not good care ah. Wife seems very like the live stuff, right?" 　　"At this point my wife is a fellow with you. Dog friends, cats, birds matter, what wants to keep. Rat badly ruined the kitchen, but mixed with rat poison, she could not do it. In love animals, this point, perhaps more than you do, Mr Ping _Set_o! " 　　"Little mouse Chuliuchuliu, and also very cute thing!" 　　"Temperament gentle ladies always the case. You see, the world hates women living thing, there is no good thing." 　　So Ping _Set_o and persuade them to support Fox, said his wife, then there are the best assistant. 　　A wave was used as a clean, dry corn dumplings and earned just squeeze the milk of goats, Hagi Gang and Fang Zi be a meal to eat lunch early, and went home. 　　"How, Fox raised you?" 　　"Oh! No matter how you like animals, but Fox said support ... ..." 　　"If really dry up, the Tokyo family will faint." 　　"They will think you are mad to!" 　　"Lung disease and mad! For them, it would be more lost dignity." 　　"Let's not say things you do not want to Tokyo?" 　　She felt a little tired, leaning on a cane chair, Zhang Mei under the two slightly curved blue in the eyelids screwed some up himself Side, said: "How still, how comfortable ah! You always said Hill, ah, Hill ah, come here to really know its benefits. came, I was somewhat worried that too quiet, lonely you, will not un_set_tling. the same quiet, quiet are different here yet. in Tokyo home In what though you will, do not come back late late, around the kind of silence, really scary, but here on the matter, the more quiet, more pleasant feel. " 　　"No distracting thoughts and ambitions, honest heart, who will be the case. Had people just start in the middle of nature in this life, love nature, this is for thousands of years, tens of thousands of years ago the love of the resurrection of life." 　　"The reason I do not know, but every morning, open the window, I always say keep up Asama Good morning. Because the mountains seem to greet it with me!" 　　"Not only is the mountain, where we for the sheep, forest trees, streams, rocks and water, will also feel the morning every night, chatted with them yet. Everything will teach people to feel that there is a soul. The only way to make fully integrated with the nature of life. You wait and see. nature will become more beautiful, more rich, so that any person can not but feel like this. In another few days, the mountain plateau of pomegranate will put this decorated in a red, green larch will become even Xin grass in bloom, will sing the cuckoo and the oriole. you want to see the opening of the lily of the valley on the ground, then they will shy white mountains flowers. " 　　"'m Really glad ah!" Fangzi like a child-like, with a lively splash of tone said. 　　Into June, although mountain spring, late spring scene was entirely. Last month, although the cherry, pear opened, but the early morning light between the hills covered with a thin layer of snow often, there is now only one place at a mountainside depression signs keep till winter, soft Zihui color day by day to the concentrated. Snow across the valley at the ramp foot of the mountain people of the village called it as "a light blue", until it is exposed to one apparently, that means spring is deep, without fear of frost, sow can feel at ease. Idiot along the plateau gradually turning green, is also at this time. First, along the sunny grass, a little green shoots emerge in the root. Just as the water drops in the glass two or three drops of blue ink, is not white water, but can not be said with the color, looked just like a little bit of change, but day by day decaying leaves turn green, Q unknowingly becomes clear grass green photo eye. From the slopes of hills in the jungle in the middle, the leaves withered into a dark brown and gray, tangled into a ball group, is the high weight of the snow had thatched lodging and weeds, this time also with green Emotion to stand up. Village women and children to sweep away these weeds rustling to mushrooms. Into a cup that is concave, beautiful brown and mushroom flavor. Plucking and vegetables, then again, mining bracken you, digging Angelica Rights, adopted purple calyx, the view from here at the beginning, these wild mountains, the village has become when people lean valuable food. November down to the cellar because of the vegetables eaten quickly, and expect to accept fresh from the ground, the more we have to wait until August. Hagi frequently to the nearby hills and Fangzi a south-facing slopes up. She went to adopt a basket fern, Hagi Gang to bring in his pockets loaded with a small shovel to dig Angelica chest. The kind of reddish purple soil angelica root, looked bright looking, ignorant of the Road is also very fragrant. Soil angelica oil cooking fern dipped in miso and, for Hagi Gang, from the time used to travel from the mountains there is a great charm. 　　"Tokyo Baba sent listless listless vegetables, root vegetables lot of money." 　　"Say such things, can not live deliberately sent the mother ah!" 　　"But they will say, go somewhere that ghosts, and even vegetables have to send it from home." 　　"Anyway, here heard, it does not matter." 　　"You come to the mountains, do not care what becomes a full." 　　"So it was time to fat to get going, really annoying. But you have completely changed appearance Rights." 　　"Too healthy you, drag me to go to China, it can be good. So health Wait recovery is a good point." 　　"The thought of this, Fangzi felt so worried about her husband's sick, actually deserves gratitude; and she will be remembered, marriage gave them so much support for the uncle, his only son, as ordinary soldiers, just launching the out to killed in action in Shanghai to do the fighting. However, more than a month of mountain life changes brought Gang Hagi is significant. body, his face all over his flesh. He likes reading, but also painting oil paintings, original Start painting from the mountains, and often draw some amateur enthusiasts with a sense of good works Su Park, and now these are more took root. wearing a blue sweater, whistling, jumping lightly towards the balcony action, has also been used to light does not have the flexibility. Fangzi it, For the first time in such a place to live extends the Chang Chang, the same effect on her was more notable for the performance. not only as she said, fat it, and the mountain of the sun, a bit like the half-breed her forehead and straight nose are tan colored wheat. In Tokyo, even if the thick face to wipe the rouge, would immediately disclosed to the original white, Now with an almond-like faces are always rosy. because the span during the day is to wear short-sleeved thin sweater, so the two arms of drying out a distinct line of bare hands, until the fingers are also darker than tanned face, but also red in the palm through the white, soft look. Fangzi the two hugs in the chest, fell on the line of sight is naked under the skirt a pair of slim, but that seems a little bit to become thick the calf, said: "I quickly became friends keep fox-like floor dispensers. " 　　She was referring to raise fox farm wife Ah Long Flat Nose into her appearance, is Fangzi most afraid of. She felt so tanned into the country people look good, and think a little bad boy, but not know it adds to her beauty. Hagi is different from the past often used Gang vision, gaze looked tanned wife. Originally, he Fangzi of love, which to a lot of doping for the unfortunate, poor, innocent orphan who gracious mercy. Can also be said that he grew up craving motherly love sinking, lonely heart, lonely hearts in the same found a home. Thus, his love is clear, practical, although intense, but dry static, even burn, not violent. In sputum mixed with bloodshot eyes, the time series of high fever, he was more than he thought after the death of death how to make her happy. Although not say, but he was just back from a ship's uncle and Sasaki had entrusted it all. Although the thought of a short married life was like a thing of the past, but after all, from the lowly, stigma and poverty in the rescue of a poor woman, he seems to think that you can safely rest in peace by. But lately the mood Gang Hagi was somehow different. He thought, and then repeated if the sick, dying, he would not so willing to leave his wife to die. Of course, the uncle and Sasaki will try to make her stepmother and sister does not occur with any major trouble negotiations, face to affluent to live. But this does not guarantee that her life as a widow. On the contrary, very relaxed when the idea of the kind of naval servicemen's uncle, is actually very likely to persuade her to remarry. Then, there will come an unknown man, possession of her gentle, honest and dedication, even just a secret between himself and her, those lovely move, ear whisper, also all away, and can not appreciate their value, their really have to look at this situation from heaven is not it? Hagi Gang suddenly snapped the ivory chopsticks to leave on the table. 　　"Ah, how is it?" 　　"Students! Trying to eat!" 　　"I'm sorry. I do not raw it!" 　　Fangzi really scared to eat, to own a small dish of salt baked trout delivery in the past. Hagi Gang angry, in fact, because the fish is not cooked or roasted unfamiliar, but because the man suddenly thought of that unwarranted, and she may be sitting down to dinner. 　　"Into the matter, as it!" 　　He immediately regretted it, also the piece is actually not as half-baked roasted trout out of small chopsticks. 　　One night, Hagi Gang confession everything. Fangzi listened, lying on the breast Chouchouyeye husband crying, hate him, blaming him why he thought the terrible nausea that in mind, rather than telling myself. She even scolded him like a mother Side, said he was more sturdy body this time around, there is no need for thinking ill, died of these extra things. And vowed that no matter what she is going to be together with him dead, without him, he is not live. Such vows are generally absolutely can not abide, but Hagi Gang that she seems to be able to license the line. Just as she told to come and the mountains, like, if a go die, now she will not hesitate to prepare to die. Recent somehow difficult to control their impulse to jealousy, though has a clean break with the past, but how to do because the future has not yet felt the Liushenwuzhu stereotypes, for the "Incident" has been difficult to muddle down the name of the war caused by all the tumult of the outside world His hatred and unhappiness, and the resulting sense of nothingness, there is a disease once thought of recovery will be pulled to fight the despair arising from all this that Hagi Gang feel sick a little bit better even looked up as if , also must difficult to fully recover, so he often felt even on his death is an easy temptation. However, only the secret He was not disclosed to the Fangzi. Fitted out with such deliberate happy, he once told a story. 　　"True as that done according to it?" 　　"Of course, the other is a god thing. Since that time, the old man and wife as God before the waiter, but they have aged too can not do anything live. One evening, they both are in front of the yard overlooking the surrounding beauty the lake, the old man's body suddenly grow leaves come. wife surprise, but her body began to become a tree. seeing two people are covered with leaves the body, feet turned into roots, trunk body becomes , two hands into a tree. but does not yet face into the tree, two people face to face, and said: 'old woman, goodbye, let's vow to the gods demand, and now to come. really deserves thanks ah !''Good-bye, Father! 'two men took leave of each other, this time the green leaves of their mouth sealed. old man, tall and straight into a tree, Castanopsis, his wife turned into a beautiful banyan tree Since then, standing side by side for ever and ever on the lake. how about, the story is beautiful, right? "Fangzi nodded, moved to speak, the eyes of a bubble with tears. She began to think that if they can get this kind of happiness, what will become the tree? Larch? Fir tree? Or acacia flowers is now open, Shanteng? The next few days, this choice becomes Fangzi the pleasant thought. 　　"I must change hackberry. ' 　　"I do not like the kind of tree." 　　Fangzi know to wear clogs with rain is made with this wood, she has a lush for such a large oval-shaped leaves grow trees to a little contempt. Therefore, deliberate smile Hagi Gang said, make her play. As uncivilized savages the top of the rock as their ancestors, to the crisp, taut lightning gods like the trees, with such feelings to talk about the case, where the sound is very natural and full of realism. 　　On this front, the raising of farm fox carrying a basket of eggs in the flat _Set_o visit them here. Eggs that they laid down, usually not when they had stepped back to take the way, is to let the A wave to sent, personally, your visit today, Ping _Set_o, it is because otherwise things I want to discuss. 　　"Just a vendor, the next determined how?" 　　Rattan chair in the hall just sat down on his mouth, is to ask them to not buy next to a support fox field. 　　"In the past around with you mentioned, it is a rich man half of the front axle to engage together as a pastime, fox house, though small, with five pairs, six pairs also raised high, but with a small villa-style house, on the You can be too appropriate. and also three thousand ping away land, said to be thirty thousand will come forth, like that which can be white to like! " 　　"Gan Meyao then hurry to sell?" 　　"This band has - a time to keep fox farm to house twenty-huh, and now are like this. Disputes with China, and now has become a shooting big battle, and taxes the rest of the money, What all have to buy government bonds, this time also talk about what the Silver Fox collar! about Rentongcixin, and it would have discouraged friends. Now the building, even though there still, but there's also the remaining two or three foxes the. At this time, urge you to support Fox, seems very contradictory, but you do not want to reap some profit in it, than dry crops, live, on your right, health is also very good indeed. If you do not want to raise Fox, light red house, buy it also will not lose out with conviction. " 　　"There is a fox it?" 　　"There are three pairs. You do not want to, I can leave. Anyway, I be in this life and forged a bond with the fox, just die, ready to go on. Ha ha ha ha." 　　Ping _Set_o SEEDS Xunde brown smoke revealed the buck teeth, big mouth, Hehedexiao the. He has sat down for lunch, Hagi had to fight to listen to his Gang talk about his so-called bond from the beginning - this is his half the experience, but also the history of Japanese industry, support Fox. 　　Ping _Set_o started to raise in the Sakhalin Island fox is four years in a large, local town but also from the Fengyuan north two miles and more of a Deserted Village. The original name of the village called Noah lek Sand Russia Khabarovsk, time has been called by Japanese small marsh village. However, seven more than a dozen families, there are four Russians. Surrounded by a desert of wet grassland, rivers and swamps everywhere. Is therefore derived from the name of the village. 　　There are many foxes on the grass. There is a cross fox, from head to tail tip of hair along the spine with a black pattern, from the neck to the shoulder with the same color under the hair just to pay into a cross pattern. CLP fox and red fox San Mao. The sun came out to illuminate the Sunburn people, but they often Jumping on a swamp mist, this is the best for the fox's interest-bearing conditions. 　　"That is the Temple when the Cabinet, Ambassador of gold sir. At that time the community kind of air, that why the fox from the foreign country for this stuff! But, Mr. Ambassador, helped a lot of busy, for I bought a dozen pairs. three pairs of on board died, and the remaining seven pairs of flat to be his wife in Japan. one-thousand round, at the time, but a considerable sum of money miles! I deliberately from Hokkaido to Beijing, went to Yokohama to pick up these Fox, a thought I will personally tends the past, just seen pictures of these foreign good species, similar to what sexual anxious, thinking about the early look, coupled with fear can not put them to the Hokkaido area Taipingwushi , then it can not sleep at night feel at ease with what! " 　　He went on breathlessly, as wildly about what happened yesterday, full of excitement and joy. His words, there is a man obsessed minds of the non-United States, although some self-praise, it sounds not so offensive. Hagi Gang and Fang Zi deftly put lunch with him eating with one hand, felt similarly to hear him. Although previously heard some bits and pieces, but this whole story in detail is the first time I heard today. "Too much trouble today, Mrs. it! Western this stuff, we do not know what that smell great too!" Ping _Set_o chunk of bread thrown into the mouth, praised the delicious roasted meat, and that the opportunity to ask them to try Fox taste of meat. 　　"Oh, fox meat you eat it?" 　　"Not now, after the autumn when the good to eat on the fat." 　　"There is smell it?" 　　"We are worried about this, but nothing. I heard the meat was scarce Jingjing, the Chinese New Year this year, when a good friend of a friend's house to send two, they are happy, sent a large sum of money, just scared me the jump, said that if Fox can sell them meat, how much to send to do. My wife saw it a good one, he said, before the fox is not as valuable, and spend so much effort and feed do not come together, not as killed meat, quit buying it raised fox, specialized chicken get on, you say, what I have to say about it? I would say, I was started by the fox, regardless of losing money to make money, in this life be with the fox Paoshang way, if you do not want to, you can get out. ha ha ha ha. " 　　Ping _Set_o again opened his mouth, sent a shrill hollow laugh. He seems to forget, say industry is the decline of Fox raising these facts, would be to induce care to buy a new fox the impact of the other field. This sounds Hagi Gang, the idea is very interesting, Hagi Gang bank job finally done in 2023, came to know the level _Set_o told him it deliberately, not just for warm, but in the end to what a good level _Set_o level, and cunning to what extent, he Mo Buzhun. Moreover, even if the experience of his remarks is that Fox raised it, but when he was young went to Sakhalin Island, is how to go? If he has two sons have no relation, then the A wave is outside the Of course there is a house wife, this room where his ex-wife now? He now looked like Ah Long is not only father and daughter, in fact, a difference of age of fifteen-year-old, how is two people to a piece of that? where he was born, How is a living place for this particular interest? all Hagi Gang all do not know. The last question is easy to find out out. Just ask your family where it will lead to many of the origins of other words. But Hagi has always been very reluctant to intervene in Gang lives of others, so even so did not ask. 　　The next morning, Hagi Gang said: "The fox farm today to keep a look!" 　　Like to see him look like the night to consider. 　　"Really want to buy it?" 　　"They specifically came to tell for a while, anyway, go take a look to say." 　　Two people there, waiting for a long time flat _Set_o'll take them away. Fox was raised by the sale of the field, separated by a good piece of potato species and has been a chicken coop, _Set_o of the land next to flat, or even equal to the level of land within _Set_o, the other side and hold a piece of white birch trees woods, the middle of a small spring, meanders into the creeks, lush next to a long piece of celery. 　　"Ah, with a basket to be good." 　　Fangzi wearing a pair of white sail cloth shoes, with her husband behind, lightly jump over the stream. If it is not tight with Hagi Gang urged her: "Hey, those things later date!" She really did not want to walk away then squatting at the waterside. 　　"Yes, this eye spring, and yesterday I did not tell you. This is what a baby!" 　　_Set_o walked in front of one side flat, side look back and say, well this band are playing in the hills sloping down from the shallow gravel between the strata, and often no water. But this spring but never dry eyes are small, dry, under the snow in the winter, but also continue to gush, and the water is lukewarm. 　　"So, snow several feet deep? Ping, Mr. _Set_o! Skiing we always to go pills Ze marsh and deer, just passing through this area." 　　"It was probably the relationship Asama it, snow is less than a foot deep. However, the cold fresh island with birch too similar to Fox this is good for raising conditions. So, you want to be here New Year, without adequate preparation is make life difficult. the house for the winter is very well equipped, even with this, I want you to buy it do not suffer losses. " 　　"Really want to wash when in backpack fitted with towels and soap to Kusatsu Onsen to go." 　　Was taking a bath at an inconvenient time, there is a Gang said Hagi, kept the Fangzi amused. Kusatsu do not need to go, it is because the dry climate of the plateau here, but cool, wipe with hot water every day, would not be much like a bubble in the bathtub, and a week there is always something you want to go home, Shu Ping time, just say what, people will help them burn the main bath water. But this is only good in the season when the weather cold, it would have to make other plans. For the same reason, the sight of the kitchen and dining-room seats six shops which the court system of the house has a large iron stove, Hagi Gang called up; "Oh, this stuff can be good." 　　Stove is oval, above the size of a stove eyes, large cooking pots can sit, you can put a small frying pan and kettle, either cooking, but also heating, very convenient. Households in the village often the plateau, as the Russian peasant has a samovar, every family has such a stove. From November to enter the long winter, when it became an indispensable belongings, people burning stove all day, even Teppanyaki will be white. 　　Ping _Set_o home and now have also used this stove for cooking. Sometimes a bath to his home, the next long while suddenly encounter rain, Ping _Set_o put them beside the stove received, said: "re-warm about it here!" 　　He then threw a firewood stove to go, that sun Dry wood immediately in the kindled fire in the embers. Furnace whirring noise issue, on the small kettle boiling on the stove eye up. So tea is brewed here. Not only convenient, but also very simple, just what is the Mountain House, so Hagi Gang like the stove and no less than like Tokyo that British-style heaters home, he would like to get one recently. 　　"It's in this area are invited to a village three miles away to do the blacksmith, the blacksmith dispensers, craft very well, but just too lazy to ask him to do this can be done out of the year when there are virtually no, awful friends. you ask him to do it, ah, next year the winter it would not open it! " 　　Listening to his tone, as if that alone stove, the house is worth buying, but he did not the nerve to say so out in the end. 　　Keep fox farm in the back. Wire loop into the Fox house, high watch tower, equipment and configuration _Set_o home with the next exactly the same level, only a small number, like the latter a model. There is no fox. When homeowners move out, the fox _Set_o entrusted to the care of the flat. 　　Ping _Set_o intend to return the favor yesterday, entertain them to lunch, They declined. Not only because polite, but because the next morning Fangzi saw in Karuizawa sent from the bread has been eaten to use baking powder as usual, made a pot of their own face, her hair is so intense fear of sour face , so they'll be back. 　　"Do not have time to sent each time the bakery can bake it at home Jiuhaola. But do not rely on the ordinary into the oven." 　　"This time we will go do a real bread oven. You come to the sale of dry bread, I'll do support the sale of Fox, how?" Hagi Gang with a pleasant smile, his white teeth said. Then they immediately serious, quite emotion added: "What is still a good career." 　　Fangzi not understand why he suddenly talking about this to. But before she could ask, but could not help but exclaimed: "Oh, the window open it!" 　　They can already be seen in front of that big hill is located in the half, around the middle of a small piece of white birch Villa had. Came out, according to this approach with a small mind, there is no lock, but the windows and doors are shut properly, how to actually reveal a pink window curtains? Two people ran down the hill slowly up . Not to the door, heard footsteps Sasaki, from the window of his house unearthed strong upper body fat come. 　　"Yes you, can startled us." 　　"We thought it came a thief. You come good." 　　"Walking time is really long ah. Let specifically from Tokyo to the guests wait two hours, but also a bit that it!" 　　"Ah, wait so long?" 　　Fang Zi said, then let her admirably to serve a lunch, then went into the kitchen. Hagi rattan chair closer to the hills to her friends after a long absence, said: "Today is not what a walk. Is an important thing to go out, this may be my turn for the better life." 　　"Well, what do you fresh!" Because the other side smiling all very deliberately exaggerated, so Sasaki used the same tone asked: "probably not apply when the reporters to think of war in China to see it?" 　　"It is so simple!" 　　Hagi Gang told him the level of support _Set_o Fox Field told a friend, Sasaki seemed really surprised, Yan Juaner dangling from his lips tightly, silent child, long from nose spray a smoke. 　　"Buy down, really want to keep fox it?" ' 　　"I think Yang Yang may also wish to see." 　　"This is wishful thinking. Really like the fox farm raised, said the treasurer's that simple? Health benefits even if it tends the fox, to buy feed, collecting fodder, especially at this time, it is not so easy ah." 　　"These things, Ping _Set_o, said he can one agent." 　　"Even so, but listen to you, as if the bathroom to the house and the stove, there is a small spring that eye only want to buy fox farm raised, only want to keep a fox. Thousand flat land, according to the wild in this area value not on price but also in Tokyo ten pings. opponents are the kind of opponent, so-so, you had better big when the miles on! " 　　"You say it is on fox when, or dispensers if?" 　　"Is a walk back and forth, all hell!" 　　"I do not think that way." 　　Gang-Ping _Set_o Hagi made a pass defended him from engaging in Sakhalin Island, half-raised foxes since described the experience again, that this has always been his passion for, it can take credit for some of the. Hagi Gang believes that raising the level for the fox farm _Set_o things around, went to get a large commission of money, of course, goes without saying, but under the current situation in the now, business is gradually fading, a partner in the mood to Dora is not false, but also a great ingredient for preparing for the first time people in the warm winter here. "Anyway, you will not be on what children think the worse." 　　"At this point, here, but another world. And I do not get out of bed for patients, they still have a good career." Hagi Gang replied. His words and his tone is and come back in half the same way with the wife. And also with the same time, not say anything, but he felt that if the start of a simple, regular life, the kind of inexplicable recent hazy feel envy and the death of his temptation, and perhaps can be overcome. 　　Lunch, a bottle of grape collection of French business, coupled with the beer, making Sasaki even more excited. He is now engaged in the Translation of Japanese classical works, and today is living next to Karuizawa, a British consultant to ask where, by the way here, so have to take advantage of the tram back to half past three. "To look at, Relax! Did not think you go so well, Fangzi next year comes, will give me a raise Hagi Gang produced the silver fox farm fox collar, right?" 　　"Well, before you buy into. To invite you to buy a wife as a souvenir." Fangzi freely eating together with them, she is not joking easily, but this time they made such a joke answer. "But, Mr. Sasaki, the things we do not support Fox decided it!" 　　"Determined!" 　　"Oh!" 　　Sasaki's tone more than her husband is also decisive, Fangzi simply scratching their heads, she had just crossed a fried potatoes, to go to the mouth, but in the fork stopped halfway. In fact, until the time Hagi Gang, has not yet determined. But the moment of this sentence, yet all decided. Sasaki with that with a drunk, under the eyes have reddish eyes like a pair of naughty children, could not help looking at the couple, he said: "So, you know? Support fox farm buildings are all like some of that tower is doing? " 　　"Is the watch tower it." 　　"That goes without saying. But watch what?" 　　"Yeah let the fox run away!" 　　On hearing this answer, Sasaki took over the upper body to the back, with a laugh, he was smiling in a daze to the two people who explain that the purpose is not so simple, that is to monitor the tower in January to March fox mating period, to see which of the fox completed the task, which just not completed. 　　"To give birth to good little fox coat, you have a pregnant female fox is especially good thing, is to this. This is a couple of years ago, when I went to visit, listen to the treasurer said. He did not with you say that? " 　　"Heard, he said." 　　"You're down does not matter, so Fangzi disillusioned and can not sell something that he shot, the treasurer's probably afraid of this, so it did not say to you. No matter how you defend him, he is an old fox." 　　"That nickname is the treasurer of course!" 　　"Are the same, a pair of fox!" 　　Sometimes weak but strong. Marriage, too, Puzhi Hagi gentle hills, once made up his mind, it will become tough and focused, stubborn people. This time, also in accordance with the large ones, and even winter January and February, in the tower to monitor fox mating the drudgery of such a silly, nor that he hesitated. He should pay is exhausted Sasa Tuotuo to full pay. Tokyo's stepmother has not discussed with the only notice a cry. But Cheng has written to his uncle's letter a detailed, but this is a decision later. Uncle's letter, the general things always were written by the aunt, this is a reply to accidentally offended. 　　Thanks re: Wen health has been gradually restored, very pleased. Fox also raised the good things too. Jun Sasaki, beware of the so-called fooled, the advice can be a sense of true feeling, but when the fox is also limited and the. Management present on the intrigues, and very popular scam is really annoying. Uncle Yu Hu recently Jiangzai for water ①, and even want to get side of the line before meeting with the machine, fear of the ear is difficult to do so. Treasure health, never, never. Fangzi Department Please regards. 　　This letter was sent days after the issue of the fifth Villa. Hagi Gang later learned, when his uncle did not have as clear of a ship's captain announced, went to sea. 　　Not to the summer, Hagi Okazaki moved to support fox farm go. Sasaki Villa lend him the time, once said: "We thought for a long time at home this year have not been to the beach to go." But Hagi Gang know, Sasaki to take advantage of the summer to do some work on the desktop, this Villa is necessary for him , so he did not want to give people trouble by the friendship. He has been another of a empty house, or have the right to buy a. Fox hurriedly bought the support field, this is one of the reasons the idea of keeping everything. 　　Move, their lives a big change. Young couple, every morning, to get up. Previously, as long as two people to do simple meals can be had, now Fangzi must first use the kitchen stove, get a big pot, received from a neighbor came to the three to do the fox feed. A wave to teach in accordance with the practice of the wheat, corn and other grains with the surface of fish cooked with Jianzhi to do, to make a Cai Yu. Feed, Ping _Set_o promised full help, the fish is straight from the Jin River all the way over there to let the contracts for fisheries _Set_o level there, and distributed to them. 　　"We eat, seems to have very fragrant too!" 　　"So, you want to not give the fox that he eat it?" 　　"You did not rely on it!" 　　After the summer, Sasaki for the first time that side from the railway came to visit when the front of the house that day and they're working, Sasaki a meeting, the first sentence is: "have turned into connoisseurs it!" "Really, did not think you still capable this. " 　　Sasaki's wife led to her only son to be mill, year-old child came true, with even more surprised look said. Hagi Gang and the old left are split firewood. Always leaves the woods from behind the trees thinned down, sawn section by section, Hagi long-handled ax Gang and then swing it to split. Fangzi wearing a gray old husband's pants, his head wrapped in white towels, the firewood thirty-four as a hold, to windows down. 　　"I heard the winter, to have five or six such firewood pile Caixing. Almost nothing of our own in no time. You see, just did such a point of big deal to intervene, that is it." 　　Hagi Gang off thick gloves, red swollen hands out to them to see, and then hand made horn in his mouth, toward the back suddenly shouted out: "old left, break for a while and have a smoke it ! " 　　Fangzi view of the occasional visitors, dropped the firewood ran over, whispered to be the mill: "deaf!" 　　"Ah, no wonder!" 　　They had to smile. 　　Ogikubo origin shall be mill, from her end of the line straight and the face is shown in temperament, but also with the Fangzi completely different, but this did not prevent their mutual friendship that exist between husband. Sasaki and Hagi just as the character of the opposite hills and tighter integration, as they both also due to the difference between surface are attracted to each other. 　　Long-awaited reunion of the women, said, asking each other to give each other to see, there are so many things, life in Tokyo talked about getting a hard up and need more effort, more strength, more Buddist enriched. 　　"For example, a combined milk, now with the general approach also can not get hand friends. You gotta do good things, said the milk shop, send him things, the end also brought back a fraction of the time afterwards." 　　See the goats, the milk shop to be within the mill suddenly remembered that the treasurer to highlight cheekbones. Hill's stake in the grass half-lines, it can be achieved in the context of the rope and turn, Zhang with a pair of pink eye socket a little round eyes, bleating of people are intimately cried. Child has never really left there. Hagi Gang and Sasaki homes in the Fox waiting in front of women, a man kindled a match, both of them lit a cigarette. 　　"I also do not want to press on how the bank job, in the final analysis, if still hate it as barbed wire. Shut in there, counting other people's money.'m Really dry on my life can not stand. But now the thrust to the wire fox where beds the back and began to come to their job. I often think this is ridiculous. " 　　"How you say that the world is nothing but some silly things. China do not like this? What made a statement that is not expanding, not war, but in the end become like this today. In their deception and rhetoric before, these foxes had Jiaqiweiba it gentlemen! " 　　In order to strengthen the tone and mood for a naughty child-like, Sasaki playing a bit barbed wire, the original timid in the sand on the floor with squinted at them - on Fox, panic ran into the house go. Hagi Gangti a letter from the uncle. 　　"He said, when the fox, do nothing!" 　　"True. About your uncle who, for the government, military or rather, how to deceive the people were in the bottom line to know more." 　　"I think the more we know the bottom line, and I feel more uncomfortable. Standing of his position, although not say, but I know that uncle for now Japan is absolutely against the war." 　　"Your uncle is not so much opposed, but rather that the Navy itself against it. In this regard, the Army those guys, all I do not know the depth of the delusions of grandeur. So there is no rule of law." 　　"What will become of the situation in the end? Me, the newspaper also five days later to see." 　　"Europe is imminent crisis. ① Henderson ambassador to Germany in London, Berlin, back and forth between the exchanges, as if trying to stop, but Hitler used his old means to all of a sudden surprise, then everything is finished. Europe was fire, the United States will not sit idly by. That is again a world war. " 　　"What a stupid man! From the last war in the lessons should be enough, but not over a quarter century ... ..." 　　"Ignition can indeed take the lead in Japan, this is terrible. Many people revel in the war economy, but also a sense of the seriousness of it not. However, I believe, will one day be out of Japan and China, we make the same amount of outflow blood. Sometimes I fatalist, but for me personally, I am not willing to take up arms in this war. In order to keep them pulled me out of war, whatever crafty things, how unpromising thing, I work hard. At this point, you have a capital in! " 　　"I go for you!" 　　"Anyway, where you can say such things out loud, just this is very rare. If Tokyo, immediately people would say:" go with me to the Department. " 　　Sasaki throw away cigarette butts, separated by a green, white birch, the goat is still there do not want to move to real children and women over there looked at. As though his son is deaf like, shouted: "Hey, I really children, here are a good thing ah! Come on! Have fun where the fox!" 　　Ever since that day, less than five weeks, Hitler invaded Poland and provoked the war in Europe. Third in the winter of December, the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Bay, the Pacific War broke out. May no longer be a planet to experience it with their blood the birth times of flood. Creation of human wisdom and everything it sank in the flood of blood, the same as if only the day and night, are now only two things - to kill and be killed. This is life, that is, philosophy is art, is the cause. 　　In this era, and finally adhere to the maintenance work Hagi Fox Gang, can be said to Noah's Ark-like miraculous luck. Meanwhile, all the things they are strongly stacked in a winter kind of chaotic life, but also true and that the ark exactly the same. 　　For the old left, the fox mating Ye Hao, watch tower opposite the snow-capped mountain Asama smoke, it is all about, are nothing but a phenomenon, so long as at any time to see, do not miss to become . Hagi Gang and Fang Zi with three meals a day and also to stay with the old house sitting in a chair in the hall around the stove to eat. Winter mountains stove as the center of life is lost in a fog, and just as the Earth's orbit does not leave the sun. Not only the old remain, and even then that would stretch your nose to mouth are called upon to goats and chickens, and now is a partner in this little world. In addition, multi-out from the vegetable cellar where potatoes, cabbage, radish like vegetable, on the house on the ground will freeze things, are built on the side with the quilt; day burn in wood are piled in late able to reach out to the wall; washed shirts and other personal clothing, but also with a rope hanging in the head. Fangzi in this little world, as do the fox Cai Yu, preparing food for the family, sometimes for the neighbor's A wave of women according to New magazine style beautiful work cut pants. Tailor the table is the table, but also Hagi Gang's desk. Originally, Hagi Gang for the consolidation of the room has got a little older, and even put a pen has to be mind errors, but in the second year of winter, but also be able to calmly live in such an environment. _Set_o when he joked to peace on this issue, once again stressed that: just because this is home, so to spend the winter here, so buy the house very well! 　　"Downtown Tokyo, where the evacuation, so the prices rise with a very fierce. Take this house Well, now more than double the price can not buy hand. It is said that between the front of the station less than three dilapidated house and sold five thousand miles round. " 　　"That can be really incredible!" 　　"But have to finish off the fox, because the United States is the largest clients of it! Way, dealers also have to wash friends. Coupled with the marketing you, friends rationing, strict management and together, the more fish Shashi Hou to post ① Guarantee does not. Now, you know, spent a lot of time and money, and even half orders also can not. fox s not like goats and chickens, hay and grains alone can not cope. that will immediately affect the hair's luster Yeah! my wife what that guy said aggressive, even when people have to tighten their belts, but also raise the kind of thing to eat the expensive stuff to do! Yesterday, we had a fight it! " 　　_Set_o on each level, all talk about something like that. Hagi Gangan comfort, he said, war is like the sick disaster, the heat will slowly get better for a refund, and will not fight always, advised him not to make things like too desperate. 　　"You're right. In me, this is a lifelong career. So I have determined: that is their hunger, but also the idea to eat the fox. To the most when there is no way that a pair, two pairs are into, but also continue to support Fox keep when the species. say go together, or a question of money, you do not need to take off the skin to immediately go to cash, I told you different, and this difficult it! " 　　"Where! Each other are the same." 　　"I have a stained body odor." 　　"Really? Mr Ping _Set_o There was a indeed a fox smell it! Did not you smell it?" 　　"He may feel proud of what. - War sluggish confused his business, but also really a bit pathetic miles." 　　"His wife said he told her, whether Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War, no marked two years, so be patient this year, will end, and will get a big win." 　　"This ... ... ... ... what would happen then," Hagi Gang shook his head. However, he doubts the change than was estimated to be still too optimistic. After only one year is not over, and from then on, war is a strike it much. Although the Japanese in the past engaged in war, but rather, do not understand how it was wars. Now, the first time they knew: the use of endless oil, coal, steel, rubber, cotton and all other substances, the organized production of Hercules-style in front of the spiritual power of a simple high-spirited, in order to carry out this kinds of agitation empty issued cry, bluff and deception hiding coax, etc., are of no avail. 　　Fourth year of winter, the residents of the plateau, together with the evacuation of people to come here, an increase of nearly doubled. The broken front of the station house of the baseless rumor sell high has become old, now, buy a plaster shop faded down the four half-seat room, and that number have come to similar price. Roast the kind of dual-use stoves for cooking, the price is up more scary, once a bad throw deep in the junk room in the heap are also collecting them; As it is difficult to use iron hand of the ocean made for a profile of two new Furnaces, will take four or five hundred to buy a round. 　　Sasaki want to be the mill in the autumn his wife and children evacuated to the Hill in real time, in order to get a stove, but also spent a lot of twists and turns of the first. Although the school closed, but were mobilized to monitor the students go to the factory, he can not leave Tokyo. Therefore, he could only first wife to the mountains, look here, when the New Year, or to the evacuation of towns and villages in the county acted to similar plants, and occasionally look at the way to the house. Scattered in several family life, which is currently in general. Fortunately, the village has been evacuated to house dozens of residents, so the young wife and young son live in the mountains, it does not then do not worry; and has experience in the winter Hagi Gang to live in less than three ten minutes walk of the railway that side, which made him feel that it is a dependent. Women with more added each other close, and in order to really feel Mende Huang Bu Zhiyu children, are often required to Fangzi mill house to house. Asama Mountain and surrounding mountains, fields, despite its vast expanse, but the road is less than five inches of snow. In the single to take a narrow shallow ditch the snow, walk in front of the real children, and often two boots together, like skiing Side slip moving. He also likes the old left to do the same with my mother birch cane, walked to draw lines in the snow. Snow lying down in the corrugated-style place, as if with a pale blue. Mother sometimes used the same stick to his painting birds. In addition to the days of snow outside of the sky, often cloudless, a piece of the clear. In the warm atmosphere during the day, so playing to the guests, really enjoyable than summer. 　　"There is not so short of food, while they probably do not think that U.S. aircraft bombed Japan's 'Florence'." Bring something home to evacuate to Nara, Hagi Gang said. 　　"Then, people in the factory area is dangerous it!" Shall immediately thinks of the mill from the living area being the husband of the factory here. 　　"I was Mr. Sasaki, the mill also said to be calm, can not wait to return to Tokyo to miles." 　　"That is quite surprising, but children are not able to really do the kind of bold. And people like that Sasaki is usually the case, is not out of any error." 　　"I said so, each time it met all comfort her." 　　However, soon after the comfort of others who have become the person who was comforted. 　　"Real children, or to feed the goats eat it. Hey, you get to keep the grass uncle." 　　Mill to be really clever to coax children into the reactor room to the side, only two remain in the soil in the fireside room, it not only to hear in detail the disease, but also to keep true to the ward with children with go. It is said that the patients from yesterday evening, skip the fourth consecutive blood, now groggy and fell asleep. Hemoptysis is the first to stay in and the old fox carried the fox lay down fresh pot when the panic-stricken old running back to stay, the truth becomes a mute, only makes strange guttural sounds, blindly pointing Fox homes. This expression makes Fangzi surprise, she quickly ran; in the Fox house, she saw the snow in front of some scarlet spots. Hagi wearing a navy blue sweater of the hills, his long, thin body against the fence, being with a handkerchief Cazui. See Fang Zi ran exactly like the weep of his eyes and rounded, soft, brown eyes microstrip, float a delicate smile, that vision, neither sorrow, nor be dismayed, but a panned gas if children begging for forgiveness respectful gaze. Approached until the Fangzi side, he did not change the look, as if to Fangzi the Ziying like sucked into the eye, looked at her a trial of strength. 　　In the back room of the ward, arrayed from the origin in the next Karuizawa hands of foreigners are now bought back the bed, install the bought from the first heating hemoptysis special stove. Compared to the dining-room, kitchen, dual-use, the old left, goats and chickens live together in the room, the even more clean, like two. 　　"Oh, the original mill is to be his wife." 　　Head placed ice packs, like awake, sleepy hazy's Hagi hills, carrying the window seems to sit - next to her, as the Fangzi. Although voice hoarse, but his calm face after sleep, with reddish cheeks burned, and on weekdays, and looked not much different. 　　"How do you think? Fangzi just take out the ice went!" 　　"Head does not hurt, and spirit better. This time may no longer attack friends." 　　Then his words, to be sure the mill, said: "is it! The future, you quiet rest for some days to become friends." But in a week, not to stop hemoptysis. 　　This area of the village is no doctors, no, rather, did not need medical residents and villages. With densely in the future, patients had to Kusatsu, Karuizawa area and small all go to a doctor. However, most do not charge those kind of things and spend money, but letting nature eliminated the plateau as the weeds with withered with the coming of winter the same. Later, because of the war to evacuate to a name here, animal husbandry, doctors began to practice medicine in front of the station. He is an experienced old doctor, had been the hospital in Chiba, now over to his son to continue opening. He gives the impression of good, also interested in painting, from the time of attack since last year, for the diagnosis and treatment of Hagi Gang, and their exchanges have over the relationship between doctor and patient, so it is difficult to find even the nurses, he also hard from his son There has to be. Hagi Gang mill to be going home, and often the way there. At that time, really put the children to look after a neighbor Ah Long. Fox took care of long ago by the flat of the _Set_o. Everywhere in Japan, when the fill not the belly, at any rate did not call the nearly starved to death for the fox, because the dip of the Gang of subsidies Hagi light. But the fish still can not buy no matter if your hands, often near the mine on private slaughtering, by the offal of bovine animals can also be reluctant to deal with. The level of total babbling _Set_o fox poor appetite, Ah Long often fought together. 　　"Look, what this person you think that now is when? True, the U.S. plane to come and bar, to a roar then click to Fox House, Nick was happy!" 　　A wave of a temper, just want to burn the wok Gulp thrown instead of rolling bombs. This day is also when the menacing noise, animal husbandry, to be led doctors came in the mill, said: "Ah Long daughter-in through your back room with use." 　　Sasaki, animal husbandry and doctors do not oppose the call came, but also take the initiative to ask "how to do what, where Nara?" 　　"Yes ... ah ..." 　　"His weak heart, but very powerful ah." 　　Only the force required to move a little mill choking throat, did not immediately reply. To the point where the disease has seriously, which she also did not expect. Animal husbandry and medical professional with his calm attitude of the line said, death is only a matter of time, and often air, rail can not operate normally, short notice, probably could not get one o'clock. Hagi had to be the mill, and his stepmother relationship Gang told a doctor. They came suddenly, it would mean that the patient declared dead. 　　"Or other Sasaki came to say it." 　　"Okay." 　　Mr. and animal husbandry to deal with, asking about her condition, has been required to mill things. Mobility is in the eye Ma Lei Fang Zi patronize the time required to Sasa Tuotuo mill can handle something, but this time she was away, Mr., animal husbandry, the mind but also uneasy. She told the doctor to discuss such important things, which made her heart was a serious shock, but I thought I could take this opportunity to meet with her husband after a long absence, but can not help but secretly feel the joy, which in turn made her feel guilty. In this way, she even kept in the dark Fangzi feel too sorry for. 　　"What is it, this is not no big deal thing." 　　Sasaki came, sat in a big bed, on the disease said only these words. Then he went on a monologue: a letter to his wife for a week to go before receiving the next day, enough to wait five hours up the night train - not so much a "go", rather like a potato similar to the "loaded" into the sacks, the time is coming Kumagai, and air raid sirens sounded, a full stop in the dark for two hours, every sound a warning, become more and more like Tokyo to Tokyo, long ago , April 13 bombing of the fires, from a historical sense, have the opportunity to see this spectacular and not bad; difficult to deal with is the big day for flying fighter jets overhead, compared to that airplanes, B29 spectacular leisurely look back, in the bright blue spring sky, wings outstretched grew up, Jizhuan the propeller as if to a body wearing a glittering crown, it all looked that way symmetrical When the fleet flying when shiny silver, although the enemy, but Could it be like to watch, or even see God, this mechanical beauty of the Acropolis of Greece is really as much as a new harmonization of the United States ; and so on. He deliberately put it in a nice irony, to the misery and evil coated colors, according to this argument that he, as if no casualties as the same. 　　"But, no matter how beautiful Rossi Law ① grow, the devil is always the devil. You can live in this land, in their jumping out of the loop, it is happy ah." 　　"Yes ah, I'm happy." Hagi Side Gang echo replied. Then he made a sly smile, as if to say, why do you use that tone of cautious words, I had seen through. He looked at each other intently, and then in a low but very firm voice, said: "But Sasaki, specifically tell you to come, not to hear the news ah bombed Tokyo." 　　"Then you say, just like me who come to Tokyo, what other things to talk about it?" 　　Sasaki deliberately admit defeat to explore with the same smile, lying in bed looking at his thin pale, scattered with black hair on the forehead of the face. 　　"That is quite the. But instead of listening to you talk about, I'd have something to tell you about the. But you're ... ..." 　　"You mean that I get off at the beginning of a lot of nonsense Walawala? The good, then up to hear with you, - Preface less Syria." 　　Rather than the patient and probing conversation between the patient, rather, they are like high school together in the years lying in bed dorm ① on the controversy. This of course is to avoid the sentimental dejected, contrived on purpose to each other, but even so, or what looked away to the hills Hagi walls. Two oceans white stacked tilted down pillows, pillow from the low-lying at the ocean to see his thin boy-like items in the Ministry of Sasaki's eyes suddenly heated up. 　　"Talk about it tomorrow." Hagi Gang again dictates. "After a while again fever friends. Come tomorrow morning!" 　　"Look, all right." 　　"Still alive by tomorrow morning." 　　Hagi Gang That made tears wetted his face, quietly floated a smile. 　　Sasaki had to say: Do not say that no shadow of it! But he refrained back, stood up from his chair. 　　Ward the following morning, bathed in the clear atmosphere of the sun in May Chuxun. Soft spring sun was just as plain as a small bedside table a vase, stuck Pu Liu, issued a shiny silver-gray velvet, like a little bit of that loneliness of the winter the plateau is over, the spirit of the patient appears to be better than yesterday, the original from the nose down to the chin between the traces of a micro-black beard clean shaven, thin face also appears handsome up. 　　"Said this morning that you want to come, specially modified a lot." Fangzi side of the case removed a small breakfast, one side says happily. Sasaki's coming, so she played a naive spirit cheer. 　　"You come as a surprise yesterday, friends." Hagi Gang also said with a smile. And then going out of the room Fangzi Huanzhu: "Fangzi, Sasaki I have something to discuss, and you can come back the afternoon, Mr. grazing. Do not let the old left to go, you better go and look, there being nothing." 　　Only two people. Meanwhile, no one to speak first, then suddenly asked Hagi Gang: "the date today?" 　　"九号." 　　"So, we come to a full four years to the day after tomorrow, and really fast!" Dazed look up to the roof of the Hagi lime hills, soliloquy Side said. He maintained that the supine position, and then added: "I have not!" 　　"Blood would have died two or three times slightly, it would not have lung disease in Japan, friends." 　　"You say, I am of course happy, but we still do not deceive each other, right then. I already have a mental preparation. I'm happy you said yesterday, I said, it is happiness. That is not lies. To live here, in front of you all the time in the die, in a time like this, is already more than the so-called happiness it! " 　　"So, should not their despair, anxious pursuit of Siya! At any time, lose the will to survive as a people, is cowardly. Even if you just think of Fangzi a person can not die ah!" 　　"You say, I'm sorry too it!" 　　They talked face to face, the face from Hagi Gang tears Susu, the Sasaki has had his own handkerchief for wiping out. Hagi Gang used intravenous protruding nails lost both hands the color of his hands wiping away his tears. 　　"Excitement of poor health, or not talk about them now." 　　"Since the thought, then determined to fight to live it! But you inverted image in the pursuit of something like they would rather die happy. This is not the luxury of forgiveness.", 　　"Is too much to ask?" To clean the duvet on the chin is the head, chew the above case, the temporary silence up Hagi Gang nodded, and again he said, "you say this, if true Everything is so. In this war, the sleep is great here, the luxury of raising lung miles! " 　　"Do not the thread of her conversation with these issues come up citizenship." 　　"The patient got me to fight, not no use you?" 　　"No, that is, before the same disease. We - that is, it should be used in the plural - and has been living over that way; people find it difficult, we do not feel that difficult. Of course, this is material that, in short, in social life, because we are rich, it is accounted for a large cheap. to graduate from college, can casually quit his bank job, as a pastime like to keep half of Fox, this can be in bed, are also For the same reason; and I have never done anything for them in return, just enjoy. However, such a cheap thing, of course, not always to be like this, in the end do not know when, we must pay the same price! " 　　"Is not able to pay you sick?" 　　In accordance with the ideological context, it should be said that disease is a must to replace the dead. Although wildly recklessly Sasaki deliberately speak, but such things, after all, difficult to export. Hagi, but he saw the eagle turned over the hills that light up the eyes. He knew he did not say exports, Hagi Gang is also understood. However, Hagi Gang said that what does not waver, and even joked: "reimbursement method, vary, there will be various. This point, I worked as bank job, know more than you." 　　He also said he deeply felt: not only the individual or class to make such reimbursement, but also between States and the States to make such repayment, Sasaki said he had been out in Japan one day, it must ask the Chinese to flow through the same amount of blood, and the idea of a clock is also connected, Italy and Germany surrendered, the Japanese have enemies and the world, this day was about to come. 　　"I just ① from the Manchurian Incident broke out against the war since the day, but I did not take any action. Can be interpreted as a general knowledge of these molecules Beiqie. But, have the same idea, not his own in the war killed, is losing their loved ones, whether willing or not, have been strong with a sacrifice, and I also survived even this. than that, the war situation has been predictable in the future after the defeat of the battle, stay alive countries who have to bear the pain and humiliation, I was dead, and even do not have to taste that humiliation, in fact, this is not just a luxury, but can be said to be selfish. " 　　Hagi Gang talk about other people now use things like tone and the kind of calm, with day and night linger in the heart of the kind of toughness, self-management self to go on. 　　Hagi Gang consent raised his eyes to like, and then look to move again on the pillow of the Pu Liu, smiled: "Maybe next year, this flower is my miles." 　　Sasaki While saying he was too much afraid, but do not want to interrupt him. Sasaki know because he talked so happy, and his fantasy that reincarnation is indeed for him to love nature religious people, but also not written a line of his pen in the last verses. 　　"Thank you. Because of this thing to please you, so just want to hurry up to meet you. I'm so happy. You have to wait for me to be nice mill, Fang Zi is so good woman. Please you and be like me, be kind to her. did not need such a thing is said with you. - Nara there, I would also like them to bury the hatchet. though what is not noisy planes, in short, no matter what attitude stepmother and sister I usually experience with them is not good. I would like them to apologize, please treat them kindly Fangzi. But thinking, not a biological child when the mother of fate it is deep. We should have faith each other, live in harmony ah. so I thought, I met Fangzi, too, is a fate, it can be said that fate, it can be said a man at unpredictable things. and your office so close, I think really is not fathom Jiaoren through things. for the land, neighbors Ping _Set_o for his wife, for the old left, I think it is true. I'm not somewhere else but had to come here, as neighbors, or master, began to raise fox, which is strange fate. is a group of foxes, in this sense, I think they are cute even more than previously. 三号 homes in Fox's pregnant, probably the day before yesterday, Ping _Set_o to said another one week to be born. If Fox can see Tsai was born without incident, I would die, then I can be happy it! " 　　Hagi Gang little desire to achieve the final, and he lived more than two months, in the end of the war two weeks ago and died. Stepmother and sister in early June from central line to Nara Bypass here once, near Nagoya, were told some terrible images of machine gun fire after they go back. This time not even had time to notice them. Relatives to attend the funeral as the only evacuation to the next two or three people in Karuizawa, they just come out fills out, Sasaki came before the death, all things entrusted to him. This place is no crematorium. Coffins in the evening, by the level _Set_o, the old left and those who dealt in front of the station and the porters who carried to the foot of the mountain and the village head in full bloom Ku Caihua Bucket Big depressions, people dug a hole, the cross on the coffin Hang Hau, the top placed three bags of charcoal, into a pit full of round wood, and finally, cover with water on the mat. This is their arrangements for the cremation ceremony. Were supposed to lose the primary by the ignition, but also have to represent from the point of Sasaki. Women were driven back, and even burned his body Sasaki they saw smoke inside in a heap after the cover, but also to persuade others to give back. This is the local rules. He walked back with Mr. and animal husbandry, roads deep in the weeds is a dense, narrow roads and people can not have two parallel, cold dew, Chong Sheng Haw, is the fall of the mountain. There was no moon, but the stars shining, the sky light grape color, emerge with the hazy shadow Asama. Night blooming lily musk Xuan, speckled, lush patches of grass from the high to head out. This may seem a little Yaoqi beautiful flower, for this mountain fog filled the night silence increased microalbuminuria dreamy atmosphere. Hagi Gang Sasaki know very fond of this flower. Faint air waves of smoke floated, he twisted back to look around, have not see the fire, the emotion of walking in front of the animal husbandry, said: "This is what truly wild funeral, to say that Gang of Hagi it is appropriate funeral. " 　　Fangzi did not happen we are worried about things. Have been worried that she will cry very tough battle, but he did not how to cry, just staring wildly silly silent, not to be strong to pull her mill, even the rice does not want to eat. Even in the end of the war spread to every corner of the broadcast, people meet, talk about it all the time, she is completely indifferent, as if the matter had also forgotten the war. However, she did not want her husband dead, not forgotten the oath, nor is it dishonest, but not follow her husband's will, to abandon the remains here until the official funeral will be held in Tokyo time. Her husband's death, like thunder lightning tree, gave her a heavy blow to the body limbs, although the same, but the interior is like an important part of the machine, like a broken fuse, leaving a basket case has been light, and as scientific way up the robot assembly of complex words can not say the same Fangzi can only say "yes", "no" and other phrases. In essence, you can abide by the oath that she is dead along with her husband; because only one remaining from that there is no physical change Xingshi Bale. 　　"Yes the situation a bit bad, Fangzi not happen accident? Yesterday, her bedroom window one day it stops." 　　"It is no surprise, but also mentally tough than the lung miles." 　　Sasaki couple even privately about these any more. 　　Tokyo house, in the May 15 raid in the burned. The stepmother also lived in Nara as usual there. Hagi Gang careful with his banker-like detailed arrangements for the Fangzi that all that was entrusted to Sasaki. But the volatile situation after the war, these problems need to negotiate things, not so easy to run. Therefore, we look forward to Hagi Sasaki uncle Gang Hua will return. Currently, only know that he is wounded because of the convalescent hospital in Taiwan, the thought that he would not come back soon, but will not be back in February birch, and suddenly Daoshan Zhong. 　　"Ah, I thought what a what!" 　　Open the door from the inside to be mill, taken aback, in the same tone to the room shouted: "Fang Zi, Fang Zi, uncle coming!" 　　Recent Fangzi like bed a few years, finally to save the lives of patients, thin body was thin and long, her toe open, walked out of staggering pace, with deep down in the dark round eyes, a loss uncle lost his left arm looked at by the mill to be helped off the boots in the back. Hagi is almost the same stature Gang, face looks very much like the uncle, with difficulty into the back room, looking down at her, said: "Oh, Fang, Shinichi have suffered ah!" 　　Long time never heard of the term of endearment, no different from her husband's call. She did not answer or greeting, then stumbled uncle flew to wearing the suit he does not wear the chest, dying Gang released in Hagi had not burst into loud tears. 　　"This is how you, how is this matter, to be strong and more!" 　　Fangzi not stop crying, do not want to leave his uncle. Been frozen, including the heart, the feelings of all the sorrows, as if in this moment turned into tears. Uncle just like coaxing general, and with the long time required to mill the Fangzi endless sobbing pulled back room to go. 　　From this day to catch, Fangzi life slowly revived. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima who lost his wife and daughter, family, and I also own uniforms and with a social waste, lonely old people will be reduced horizon, but also find a new life. 　　Villa finally going to be back to his mill, often came to see them. Hagi Gang took over his uncle's work during his lifetime, Fangzi also the same as the CI Hou Gang Hagi, kindly wait on his uncle, Ping _Set_o neighbors have started to raise foxes as Hagi Gang taught the same time, teach the elderly. Sixty-year-old veteran will, obedience, obedience to all the guidance, as a new start exercising sailors from the deck from the same brush. He put the fox and then come back. 　　Said the old left his uncle said the same thing. This defeat, the generals and the country people formed a partnership. 　　Intervet ① in the dense sea battle, he was blown from the bomb under the bridge down, but not dead, alive. Now come to this mountain, took over half did not live to his nephew left for raising the age of Fox Business, he quietly submit to the fate of this incredible. Just as Fang Zi Xing Shi is alive, he is nothing but fighter planes bombed the airport, or only red rust-stained steel wreckage of the munitions factory. But when he and the old deaf ears all the time is still left with a loudspeaker shouting orders to the old sound. 　　"This is what has useful ah!" He laughed alone ha ha. 　　Ping _Set_o to treat neighbors as wildly cousins will treat the old birch, which made him very proud. Meanwhile, the U.S. military stationed in Japan, is estimated Silver Fox will also be sold, which made him very happy. He talked with Hagi Gang, from the island of Sakhalin after a fox has been painstakingly raised, again and again about the old will. Hua Crushed out his cigarette ration, followed by suction aspiration of the soil local people from Angelica and crushed leaves of Polygonum grass, gentle listening. He said that when he was stationed as a young military officer in the U.S., heard the first gold from the United States Ambassador to enter the Silver Fox to help things. Ping _Set_o heard, could not help but awe of. 　　"Yes Well, you say the fox is not completely for the fate of myself." 　　Since then, Ping _Set_o to often use 'you "to refer to Cheng. Every time I hear, Betula always block that, do not use this name. Ping _Set_o's wife, Ah Long, also greatly opposed to:" Look, you What this person, now the emperor, like we are related to you, Mr. Hua also control what your name really unbearable! Despite the flattering you, he is not like Hagi Gang Master, and then would like to take a lot of money, it can not do it! " 　　Winter came, over the years, and entered the fox mating period. Jiaochun public fox, from morning till night, until the middle of the night, breaking twenty degrees below zero cold, constantly call him. Surveillance, after the names as it is, morning, leaving the old, the afternoon is birch. To shift, Hua Fang Zi to him earlier are invited to open for lunch, eating out of the house immediately, from the watch tower above the old to stay under the DPRK, with shouting orders to the voice cried: "the old left, and come on down!" 　　(September 1946) 　　Liu Zhongping, Li Mang translation 请欣赏:  请给我换一个看看！  拜托，快把噪音停掉！我读累了，想听点音乐或者请来支歌曲！

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