Red Beard Page #5

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Looking at me like that.

I'll show you.

- Stop it.

- What's that?

Why, Doctor.

Just leave this to me.

Just look at this!

Just look!

This brat! See?

She tore up the kimono I put on her.

What's the idea,

dressing up this child?

I've done a lot for this Otoyo.

Her mother died out in front here.

She was no kin,

but I gave the funeral

and then took her in.

So I'm her foster mother!

No one can complain about

what I do with her.

Again! Just to spite me!

Anything happens she doesn't like,

back she goes to scrubbing again.

She has a fever.

See? Always contrary,

returning spite for kindness.

A high fever.

We'll take her.

Are you joking?

Trying to get her for free? You!

Somebody! Somebody come!

What's up?

Anything wrong?

A thief!

He's trying to take her away.

Says she's sick.

Oh, no, you don't!

Who do you think you are? Sticking

your nose in where you're not wanted.

Now get out!

Come again, and we'll show you.

I'm a doctor.

I come to see sick people.

What's that?

You better watch out!

You'll get hurt.

You be careful too.

You know,

a bad doctor can kill you.

I won't kill you, but I might break

a couple of arms or legs.

You! Outside!

Never mind. Don't interfere.

Shut the gate!

Get something

to carry them away on.

Yasumoto, tend to them.

Bandage them up.

I'm afraid I went a bit too far.

I should've been more careful.

This is terrible.

Such violence is bad.

A doctor mustn't do such things.

Otoyo!

We're taking her.

Report it if you don't like it.

I don't understand.

No, I don't.

It's too cruel.

Why does such a child

have to suffer so?

Her mind's far worse off

than her body.

As though it had been scalded.

Yasumoto, you look after her.

She's your first patient.

Cure her.

I NTERMISSION:

February 9... I bring Otoyo to my room.

Don't worry. Go to sleep.

No one will hurt you here.

Like some water?

That night, Otoyo, half awake,

half dreaming,

looked at me so strangely.

February 10... Otoyo's mind

has become clear.

But she won't let me examine her.

Just your tongue, then.

When she stares at me,

I don't know what to do.

Her eyes are suspicious,

insolent and very lonely.

February 11... when I woke up

this morning...

What're you doing?

You're sick.

You needn't work here.

You needn't worry

about food, clothes or medicine.

Stay in bed.

But she kept wiping, wiping, wiping

until she had convulsions again.

Now drink your medicine.

Drink it and

your fever will go down.

How is she?

I give up.

She won't let me examine her,

won't take her medicine.

I'll see what I can do.

Good girl.

That night,

she spoke for the first time.

Now, eat this.

Your fever's down.

We must make you strong.

Why wasn't I slapped?

Why didn't he slap me?

You mean when you wouldn't

take your medicine?

There are kind people in the world.

You've never met any before.

You can't fool me.

Mother told me.

She said to watch out for people,

not to trust anyone.

And she was right.

No, no, he's not like that.

You know he isn't.

Isn't that why you took the medicine?

Dr. Niide wants to cure you,

your body and your mind

that's been so hurt by cruelty.

- You too?

- Of course me too.

Even now?

You poor girl!

You're really a nice girl.

February 12... Otoyo was gone

again this morning.

She wasn't in the clinic.

I went to look for her.

Otoyo!

You begged to buy that dish

for the one you broke last night?

Why did you have to beg for it?

Did I scold you about it?

I apologize if you thought so.

Forgive me.

I apologize.

How's the girl doing?

She ate her gruel

and is fast asleep.

You rest too.

You've hardly slept

since Sahachi died.

Those notes I borrowed.

I've copied what I needed.

For the patients, not me.

You may not like it,

but try to understand.

I'm sorry

for thinking only of myself.

I hated being here.

The father of the girl

who betrayed me... I told you...

Dr. Amano?

Yes.

He won my father over and put me

in here, trying to hush things up.

I couldn't forgive him, so...

Dr. Amano didn't do that.

I heard the story

and suggested that.

I'm no good at all!

I'm selfish.

And self-satisfied.

How am I unfortunate?

Rokusuke and Sahachi were,

but they died without complaint.

Cook at Otoyo.

I'm so fortunate

it's almost embarrassing.

I'm no good!

I blamed Chigusa and yet almost let

that mad girl kill me.

I was vain, proud of being a doctor

just back from Nagasaki.

I was too good for this clinic.

I even held you in contempt,

despised you.

I'm a despicable man.

I'm conceited and insincere.

Yasumoto, you're tired.

Handayu!

Water.

I'm a good boy.

I'll take my medicine.

Sleep. Sleep some more.

I'm sorry. L...

You needn't apologize.

Thanks.

You nursed me, didn't you?

I remember, half in a dream.

But it's just because Doctor said to.

He said nursing you was

the best thing for me too.

That's why.

Did it make you well?

I don't know.

But it felt nice nursing you.

Then I've gotten well too soon.

That's not so.

Your getting well is much nicer.

You're really well, then.

He's a great doctor.

No, a great man.

There are good people

in this world too.

You're lucky to have met him.

But you are too.

Would you like...

You must eat.

I'll get some gruel.

How are you?

Thank you. Better, I think.

Masae is here.

Please come in.

It smells in here.

I was surprised to hear

you were ill.

If there's anything I can do...

It's not serious.

He saw too much of the world at once.

Growing pains, you might say.

Your mother is not very well either.

Her palsy again?

Yes, and she's worried.

You haven't been home

since you came here.

I'll be home when I'm up.

Please tell her so.

You don't seem to have been ill.

A bit leaner?

You look different.

Like a man who's just had a bath.

Father's away.

I wish he could see you now.

He entrusted you to Dr. Niide.

But really he was very worried.

Masae's been so good to me.

Like a true daughter

ever since I took to bed.

She was just a child

when I went away.

Beautiful now, isn't she?

I was wondering about her for you.

Father thinks

everything would be fine

if you'd agree to it.

I don't hold anything

against Chigusa now.

But things aren't that easy.

You refuse?

The truth is, after it happened,

Dr. Amano, out of deference to you...

He forbade Chigusa

to enter his home.

But she's just had a child.

His first grandchild.

He wants to acknowledge it.

That's why Masae came over?

Yes.

If you let bygones be bygones,

he can openly acknowledge the child.

It's touching the way Masae is

so thoughtful of others.

She even seems apologetic to me.

It's forward of me, but...

What is it?

It's for...

I heard she never left you

while you were ill.

For Otoyo?

Yes, if it will do.

Hers is worn out.

I washed this and made it over.

Thank you.

Say you're sorry.

Hurry up.

What's gotten into you?

How can you throw

what she gave you in the mud?

What a girl!

She makes me so mad!

Never mind.

What's happened?

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