pectable in appearance. On being asked who she was
and what was her business, the old woman replied with a smile that she
had been nurse to the master of the house when he was a little baby. If
the lord of the house were at home she begged to be allowed to see him.

The servant left the old woman at the door and went to tell his master
that his old nurse had come to see him. Watanabe thought it strange
that she should come at that time of night, but at the thought of his
old nurse, who had been like a foster-mother to him and whom he had not
seen for a long time, a very tender feeling sprang up for her in his
heart. He ordered the servant to show her in.

The old woman was ushered into the room, and after the customary bows
and greetings were over, she said:

"Master, the report of your brave fight with the ogre at the Gate of
Rashomon is so widely known that even your poor old nurse has heard of
it. Is it really true, what every one says, that you cut off one of the
ogre's arms? If you did, your deed is highly to be praised!"

"I was very disappointed," said Watanabe, "that I was not able take the
monster captive, which was what I wished to do, instead of only cutting
off an arm!"

"I am very proud to think," answered the old woman, "that my master was
so brave as to dare to cut off an ogre's arm. There is nothing that can
be compared to your courage. Before I die it is the great wish of my
life to see this arm," she added pleadingly.

"No," said Watanabe, "I am sorry, but I cannot grant your request."

"But why?" asked the old woman.

"Because," replied Watanabe, "ogres are very revengeful creatures, and
if I open the box there is no telling but that the ogre may suddenly
appear and carry off his arm. I have had a box made on purpose with a
very strong lid, and in this box I keep the ogre's arm secure; and I
never show it to any one, whatever happens."

"Your precaution is very reasonable," said the old woman. "But I am
your old nurse, so surely you will not refuse to show ME the arm. I
have only just heard of your brave act, and not being able to wait till
the morning I came at once to ask you to show it to me."

Watanabe was very troubled at the old woman's pleading, but he still
persisted in refusing. Then the old woman said:

"Do you suspect me of being a spy sent by the ogre?"

"No, of course I do not suspect you of being the ogre's spy, for you
are my old nurse," answered Watanabe.

"Then you cann