suke will seek his native
village in Kazusa. And the Ojo[u]san whither will she go; what will she
do?"

Was the question asked in innocence, or in deepest guile? O'Mino could
not have answered, well as she thought she knew Densuke. He felt a hand
on his shoulder. He sprang up in fright, hardly knowing whether it was a
demon, or O'Mino turned demon, who confronted him. Her mouth half open,
her large, white, shining, even teeth all displayed, her single eye
darting malignant gleams, and the empty socket and its fold quivering
and shaking, she was a frightful object. "To speak of pleasure without
the consequences, such talk is that of a fool. Densuke was taken for the
relationship of the two worlds. Now you would abandon me. Very well--do
so. But this Mino does not perish by her father's sword. The well is at
hand. Within three days I shall reappear and hunt you out. Torn to
pieces the wretched man shall die a miserable death. Better would it be
now to die with Mino. A last salutation...." Two vigorous arms seized
his neck. Densuke gave a cry of anguish as the sharp teeth marked the
ear. Letting him go, she sprang to the _ro[u]ka_ (verandah). Frightened
as he was, Densuke was too quick for her. He grasped her robe. "Nay! The
Ojo[u]san must not act so desperately. Densuke spoke as one clumsy, and
at a loss what to do ... yes ... we must run away ... there is the
uncle, Kawai, in Kanda. To him Densuke will go, and there learn the will
of Tamiya Dono." O'Mino's tragic attitude lapsed. At once she was the
practical woman of the house. She gave thanks for her mother's
foresight. "The escape is not as of those unprovided. Here are ten
_ryo[u]_ in silver. A bundle is to be made of the clothing and other
effects. This is to be carried by Densuke. And the uncle: Mino
presenting herself for the first time as wife, a present is to be
brought. What should it be?" She talked away, already busy with piling
clothes, quilts (_futon_), toilet articles onto a large _furoshiki_ or
square piece of cloth. Then she arrayed her person with greatest care,
and in the soberest and richest fashion as the newly-wed wife. With time
Densuke managed to get his breath amid this vortex of unexpected
confusion into which he had been launched. "The uncle's teeth are bad.
Soft _takuan_[3] is just the thing. For long he has eaten little else.
Four or five stalks are sufficient." He went to the kitchen to secure
this valued gift. Then he collected his own poss