"Didn't you tell him that the master passed away?"
"Yes. He seemed surprised. The gentleman said his brother had written to the master but hadn't heard back."
Yangjin sat up and reached for the muslin hanbok that she'd just removed, which was folded in a neat pile by her pillow. She put on the quilted vest over her skirt and jacket. What a few deft movements, Yangjin put her hair into a bun.
As the sight of him, it made sense that the maid hadn't turned him away. He was formed like a young pine, straight and elegant, and he was unusually handsome: slender smiling eyes, a strong nose, and long neck. The man had a pale, unlined brow, and he looked nothing like the grizzled lodgers who yelled for their food or teased the maids for being unmarried. The young man wore a Western-style sit and a thick winter coat. The important leather shoes, leather suitcase, and trilby were all out of place in the small entryway. From the looks of him, the man had enough money for a room downtown in a larger inn for merchants or tradespeople. Nearly all the inns of Busan where Koreans could stay were full, but for good money, it was possible to get something. He could have passed for a rich Japanese in the way he dressed. The maid stared at the gentleman with her mouth slightly agape, hoping he would be allowed to stay.
Yangjin bowed, not knowing what to say to him. No doubt, the brother had sent a letter, but she did not know how to read. Once every few months, se asked the schoolmaster in town to read her mail. but she hadn't doen so this winter for lack of time.
"Ajumoni"-he bowed-"I hope I didn't wake you. It was dark when I got off the ferry. I didn't know about your husband until today. I am sorry to hear the sad news. I am Baek Isak. I come from Pyongyang. My brother Baek Yoseb stayed here many years ago."
His northern accent was mild, and his speech was learned.
"I'd hoped to stay here a few weeks before going to Osaka."
Yangjin looked down at her bare feet. The guestroom was already full, and a man like this would expect his own sleeping quarters. At this time of night, to find a boatman to take him back to the mainland would be hard.
Isak withdrew a white handkerchief from his trousers and covered his mouth to cough.
My brother was here almost ten years ago. I wonder if you remember him.