ll be
fire in the braziers. At least one's fingers are assured of warmth."
They smirked at the anticipated pleasure. Warm fingers and the heated
_sake_! But--Oya! Oya! Bare were swept and wide open thrown the rooms.
Screens (inner and outer) had all been taken away. From the garden came
the cold blast, blowing icily through this wide bare space. For
cushions--the straw _zabuton_; for fire in the braziers--punk! Explained
Shu[u]zen in all kindness and suavity--"Fires in the braziers in this
heat were too terrific even to think of; so punk (_hinawa_) has been
substituted.... No need for thanks; the mere duty of the host. And
now--no ceremony: off with the garments of all. A middle cloth answers
purposes of decency. Deign the trial. Here is cold water to cool the
heated body." Promptly he stripped to the skin. The _kerai_ were
bringing to the verandah black lacquered basins filled with water in
which ice floated. Before this terrific fellow there could be no
hesitation. They followed his example in being soused from head to foot.
In the wiping--"Let the rag hang loose. Don't wipe with knotted towel.
Stupid fellows! The cool wetness clinging to the skin gives a shiver of
delight." Thus shouted Shu[u]zen to his officiating satellites. Then all
the guests took seats. The mucous was running from the noses of the old
fellows who had fought campaigns at Odawara, Sekigahara, O[u]saka.
Aoyama noted it with delight; and even Kondo[u] felt a grudge against
him, yet was compelled to laugh.

The viands were brought--to send a chill down the spines of all;
macaroni in cold water (_hiyamugi_), and the equally heating sea ear in
frozen salt water (_mizugai_). Shu[u]zen urged the latter, as better
fitted for the season. As piles of _sashimi_ (sliced raw fish), resting
on neat beds of shaven ice, were brought eyes looked to heaven--to hide
the expression. When the wine appeared, the bottles immersed to the neck
in tubs filled with salted ice, the more recondite parts of the room
echoed groans. Even Shu[u]zen smiled with complacence. He felt he had
scored success. It was Endo[u] Saburo[u]zaemon who showed no sign of
discomfiture. "Naruhodo! Aoyama Uji, in this great heat how explain a
thing so strange? Deign, honoured sir, to look. This white substance
falling from the sky; if it were not so hot, one would call it snow."
Said Aoyama undisturbed--"Not so, Endo[u] Uji. It is but from wild geese
fighting in the sky, their feathers; or perchanc