53
children. Her husband was French and was put on our ship by the Japanese. He was very kind to Clyde and took him out several times in Lourenco Marques. They had lost their farm in Hong Kong and she was not allowed to accompany her husband. The last I knew, he was still waiting in Lourenco Marques for her.
I was able to buy two rattan baskets from the store.
I met Mr. King, Mr. Olive and Mr. Kennedy at the bank. They had been taken from Stanley and were living in a windowless room of a Chinese hotel. I wonder if they are still there? While in the bank a Spanish priest came in. He used to visit the Italian Blind School at Felix Villas, and we often met him at the bus stop. When he heard that we were going on the exchange ship, he said he would go to Felix Villas and see what he could find about our house. When I went to the vault, the Japanese said that the rent of my deposit box had run out in March, and I must pay what was due before I could open the box. As this was June, I produced $3.00, but they said I must pay the year's rent. I gave them $12.00. We then went and opened the box. The boxes were, to all appearances, intact. They required two keys to open. The Japanese went through all my papers and allowed me to take everything. He then showed me that the box was now empty, and went away leaving me to put the papers in my bag.
When I went to take my key it was gone.
I went to the desk and asked for the key. I said I had just paid the year's rent and so I supposed I was entitled to the key. They told me I could not have it. I then asked if it meant that I gave up my box, what about refunding the deposit money. Certainly, they said, but I should go to the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank and they would refund the money. "That is very good business," said I. "You collect the rent, and the British refund the deposit."
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker