VII
An hour after the lecture a banquet is given by the association, with the lecturer as the guest of honour.
One member of the House of Peers arises and, amidst applause, begins to speak.
“Ahem. The purpose of our gathering here this evening on this auspicious occasion is two-fold. First, we wish to bid farewell to our good friend, Mr. Akai, who soon will set out on a long journey to Geneva, where he is to attend the Labour Conference. At this present juncture when we can find no other way out of this period of panic except rationalization, and when it becomes necessary for us to bring firm pressure to bear even on our workers, Mr. Akai has come forward to help us. Our second purpose is to listen to an extremely instructive address from Mr. Akai himself on the labour question, which we may take as a kind of farewell message. A first-hand account of how, of his own desire, he descended into the black coal mine and observed minutely the conditions and hardships of the miners is of compelling interest. His courage in doing so speaks of the extraordinary enthusiasm with which he attempts to solve the labour problem. I hope that Mr. Akai will display a like enthusiasm at Geneva.”
This is greeted by gentle hand-clapping. Then Akai arises. Swelling out his great badger’s belly, he smiles.
“Never before has such a great honour fallen to my unworthy self as to have all you illustrious
