Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter 4 is the beginning of Part 2. It takes place in London, on May 15th of 1931. The chapter opens with a memory from Christopher's childhood in Shanghai. He talks about Akira and especially his peculiar habit of never admitting that he is wrong. He also remembers that Akira was always afraid of Christopher's mother. In retrospect, Christopher decides that this is due to an incident that occurred between his mother and the health inspector. The health inspector had told her that she was to get rid of her servants, because they came from a certain region believed to be unhygienic and dishonest. His mother, in turn, rebuked the health inspector for his lack of integrity. His mother's involvement with the anti-opium campaign is also recalled, as are tender moments of time spent with her.

Christopher and Sarah, meanwhile, run into each other at a...