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the cannery boat

Every time he was arrested he asked himself this question.

He tried not to think of this when working with his comrades in the union, but as soon as he was alone for a moment the thought of his family would come to disturb him.

Oyoshi helped him to collect his things, and then nodded to him:

“Don’t worty about us! We’ll manage without you.”

Her voice rang out bravely.

The eldest boy, who understood something of what was going on, ran up to his father and said: “Well, good-bye, then, father, good luck!”

The policeman was astonished. “What a disgusting family,” he thought to himself, and said aloud: “They all take it as if it was the proper thing, and wish each other good luck into the bargain!”

“Oh, well, if we started to bawl every time this happened, we’d have no time left to work for the movement.” Kudo spoke lightly, trying to disguise the fact that his spirits were low.

“Hey, you dog, we’ll plug you if you start any of your impudence!” the policeman roared.

Kudo wanted to say something more to his wife, but his mind seemed a blank.

“Don’t be upset. We’ll get on somehow,” said Oyoshi with conviction. She looked at her husband. He was silent. He could only nod his head.

The door closed behind them.