displayed, and his nostrils
shifting under the acrid perfume of the _takuan_ and remembrance of his
stupidity.

The next morning Kyu[u]bei was up betimes. Matazaemon was no dawdler.
It was best to catch him satisfied with the morning meal, and perhaps
beset by the night's regret over the loss of his daughter. In no way was
it a pleasant mission. Kyu[u]bei's pace became a crawl as he approached
the garden gate on Teramachi. He put in an appearance at the kitchen
side. O'Naka was here established, engaged in her duties and surely
awaiting him. At sight of him she burst into what was half laugh and
half tears. "Ah! It is Kyu[u]bei San. Doubtless he comes on the part of
Mino and Densuke. It is kind of Kyu[u]bei to befriend them. The Danna
(master) is very angry indeed. An only daughter, and one on whom he
depended for a _muko_, he is much upset. Please go in and talk with him.
Show anger at the runaways. To agree with him may somewhat soothe his
passion. Condescend so to act." Kyu[u]bei winked. And turn some of
this anger on himself? Well, agreement might rouse the spirit of
contradiction in Tamiya Dono. It was a characteristic of this hide-bound
official. Matazaemon was drinking the last sips of tea from his rice
bowl when the _sho[u]ji_ were gently pushed apart, and the head of
Kyu[u]bei inserted in the opening. At first he paid no attention. Then
as one in haste--"Ah! Is it Kyu[u]bei? He comes early to-day--and hardly
to apply for anything. The rice notes are not yet due for some weeks."
His tone was grim; the usual indifferent benevolence of demeanor toward
a townsman was conspicuously absent. Kyu[u]bei felt chilled. Densuke
must not sacrifice his good uncle to his own folly.

Said Kyu[u]bei--"Yet it is to seek the honoured benevolence of Tamiya
Dono that Kyu[u]bei comes." Matazaemon turned sharp around toward him.
Frightened, the townsman continued--"Densuke has acted very wickedly.
The low, lascivious rascal has dared to seduce the honoured daughter of
the House. Both are now harboured at the house of this Kyu[u]bei, who
now makes report. Their lives are in the hand of Tamiya Dono. But
Kyu[u]bei would make earnest plea for delay. O'Mino San being pregnant,
the child would be sent from darkness to darkness--a terrible fate. May
it be condescended to show the honoured mercy and benevolence. Evil and
unfilial though the action of the two has been, yet 'benevolence weighs
the offence; justice possesses two qualities.' S