household in Nippon is adamant in its secrets to the
outside world--and that against the most prying curiosity anywhere
found. O'Kiku lay in of her child and nursed the babe in her own nurse's
house. Thus in full ignorance the council met to consider the request
made by the girls to communicate with Jinnai--Osada Sensei--at the
famous _yashiki_ of Aoyama.

Most of them were ready to consent. Then rose one Jinemon, smarting
under the sense of having fields adjacent, coupled with flat refusal to
his son of the simple girl O'Kiku. He suspected this virginity of nearly
twenty years; and with an ill turn to this obstacle might do himself a
good one. "Take heed, good sirs, what counsel ye come to. News fresh
from Edo couples the name of Osada Sensei with Kosaka Jinnai; makes him
out a violent bandit and would be ravisher years ago of the
Tenju-in-Den. Surely his fate will be hard. Send them to the _yashiki_
of Aoyama--but to that of Aoyama Shu[u]zen Dono. Thus their request is
met; and no blame incurred. The honoured _bugyo[u]_ (magistrate) answers
for the district (Aoyama), and the girls will not suspect the
destination. Otherwise, look well to yourselves. Aoyama Sama is known as
the Yakujin. Great his influence in Edo, and sour his wrath as that of
Emma Dai-O[u]. It will fall heavy on you." This intimation, that he
would do what they would avoid, soured all the milk of human kindness.
Wataru Sampei, departed in all haste to Edo, returned in fright to
announce his discovery of the state of affairs. The father Jinnai then
was undergoing the harsh tortures of Shu[u]zen. He found the farm in
charge of Jinemon and his son; the two girls already sent in all
ignorance to the _yashiki_ of Aoyama. Receiving a harsh dismissal he
dared not punish, from the house and tears of the old nurse he received
as if by theft his infant son. With him he took his way to Edo; to
establish himself as gardener at Honjo[u] Koume; or at Narihira, some
say.

In daily rounds of the jail the _do[u]shin_ stood over Jinnai. In three
days this man was to go to Torigoebashi. Here he was to be crucified and
speared--"with many spears" ran the sentence, to indicate the
prolongation of the torture. "Jinnai, you have shown yourself brave,
have refused to name even one associate. The time passes. Perhaps some
wish, not incompatible with duty, comes to mind." Jinnai opened his eyes
at the unexpected kindly tone and words. It was as if one soldier looked
into the