no Kawa, to climb the Shide no Yama, with the demon as
company: terrific! It is terrific! And what has become of her? Why fall
into such a trap, with a woman old and ugly? Her riches are not for you.
Caught here, the _tatami_ of Kyu[u]bei will be spoiled."[4]

Densuke countered. He spoke in the old man's ear. "Refusing consent,
she threatened to kill herself and haunt this Densuke as O'Bake
(apparition). The Ojisan (uncle) has seen the Ojo[u]san. Would he be
haunted by her, be seized and killed with torture?... And then--here she
stands, just at the door." The old man spluttered, and gasped, and went
on his nose in abject salutation--"Oh, the fool!... the Ojo[u]san is
here in person ... he would trifle with the devil!... the low rascal
would seduce the honoured daughter of Tamiya ... put ten hags in a row
and pick out the worst ... will the Ojo[u]san condescend to honour
Kyu[u]bei's place.... Oh! She's a very O'Bake already. Pregnancy with a
beautiful woman is bad enough. With this demon it makes her an
apparition ... condescend to enter; deign to enter." O'Mino slowly came
forward. That what had been said by the rash and unconscious Kyu[u]bei
had escaped her ear was unlikely. The humility of demeanor hardly veiled
the offended dignity of her approach. "Densuke has spoken truth. We come
as husband and wife. Condescend to give shelter for the time being, and
become the intercessor with Tamiya Dono. Such is the prayer of this
Mino." As she spoke she bowed low on the _tatami_ (mats). Kyu[u]bei
caught the hint; for if she had heard the talk of Densuke, she had
assuredly heard his still louder ejaculations and ill-timed wit. The
Obasan was in a rage at him. Taking the conduct of affairs in her own
hand--"Condescend to make this poor dwelling a home for as long as
desired. Plainly the visitors have not come empty handed. Ma! Ma! 'Tis
like an escape from a fire. Densuke is a strong lad to shoulder such a
burden. But he always has been something of an ass. As for Matazaemon
Dono, to-morrow the Ojisan shall attend to the affair, and see what is
to be expected. Meanwhile, deign to be as in Samoncho[u] itself." The
kindly old woman pushed Kyu[u]bei and his clumsy apologies out of the
way. She busied herself about O'Mino. The two women understood each
other. The varied contents of the _furoshiki_ were quickly stowed away.
A little supper was prepared for the hungry fugitives. Kyu[u]bei sat by,
his eyes dazzled by the wealth of goods