anion in stolid desperation he took his way to his home in
the tenement (_nagaya_). "Tadaima" (just now--present), he called from
the doorway. Entering the shabby room he put down the _furoshiki_ in a
distant corner. Going to the Butsudan, or house altar, at once he lit
the lamps. O'Mino eyed him with astonishment. "What's that?" she asked,
pointing to the bundle--"Washing of Daihachiro[u] Sama"--"But Mino is
ill. So situated she cannot do washing. How negligent!"--"It makes no
matter," replied Densuke recklessly. O'Mino did not like the tone of his
voice. She eyed him sharply. Then more pressing matters urged. "Weary as
you are it is to be regretted; but money must be in hand, for the
midwife and other expenses. A few hours, and this Mino will be unable to
leave her bed--for three turns (weeks). There is cooking and washing to
be done. Please go to Kyu[u]bei San and ask the loan of a _ryo[u]_.
Perhaps he will give half."--"He will give nothing," was the surly reply
of Densuke. "Of loans he has grown tired of late. As the uncle is the
only stay in dire necessity care must be taken not to offend. Moreover,
the loan is unnecessary. Here are three _ryo[u]_." He brought out the
shining oblong pieces. O'Mino's eyes were bright with terror. "Ah! Has
Densuke turned thief? How was this money secured? What has happened? Why
so late in returning?" But Densuke was made confident and ready of
tongue by the physical helplessness of O'Mino. "Don't be alarmed.
Densuke is neither thief nor murderer. He is no Shirai Gompachi. Perhaps
there is a corpse within, not washing. Would the Ojo[u]san see a head,
arms, legs, freshly severed?" He laughed harshly as she turned her head
from him to the bundle, then back again. "This money was given to
Densuke by Takahashi Sama; in return for faithful service in an
important matter. Don't be frightened. It has been honestly earned."
Said O'Mino, almost to herself--"But Daihachiro[u] Sama is not one to
give such a sum as three _ryo[u]_. He is always in debt. The wife of
Jusuke San complains of his delays with her husband. However...."
Confidence restored, she bade Densuke put the money in the drawer of the
toilet stand. Then he was to prepare some food; for themselves, and for
the neighbours ready to assist at the expected birth.

Densuke did so, his eyes shifting from O'Mino to the stove, from the
stove to the deadly bundle. Finally he removed the _furoshiki_ to their
outer room, mumbling some excuse