t
meeting, not to be too long drawn out. Okumura was a new comer in the
Bancho[u], his service was in connection with the public works. Aoyama
had been of the palace staff until very recently. Both expressed deepest
gratification at their encounter. As he took his way home in the morning
light, Aoyama Shu[u]zen could but contrast with pleasure his present
arrival with that of the previous morning. He had feasted well, and made
an acquaintance of some value.

The following day he would make his acknowledgments. Aping no great
style he walked accompanied by a page and two _chu[u]gen_. Inquiry soon
brought him to the _yashiki_. Inquiry soon introduced him to a sitting
room. "Lucky fellow!" thought Aoyama. "The influence of Matsudaira
Ko[u] lands him in affluence. A modest income; a double _yashiki_!" This
part of the house was different from that of his last night's
introduction. Then he stated his business to the _karo[u]_. The night
before he had accompanied the Ojo[u]san to the _yashiki_. He would make
acknowledgment of the courtesy then received. The face of old Beita
Heima was a puzzle. Deep the respect due to twelve hundred _koku_
Aoyama, but had he been drunk or dreaming?--"Has not your lordship
mistaken the _yashiki_?" Aoyama was a little severe at what seemed
gratuitous assumption. "You were not on the guard last night." Beita
spoke, prostrate and with great respect, but with an earnestness and
obstinacy not to be mistaken. He had been on the guard--from sunset to
dawn. Aoyama began to feel uncomfortable. Veiling the sharpness--"Is
this not the _yashiki_ of Okumura Dono?" Heima gulped assent. "Is not
Takigawa Dono, of the San no Ma, the Ojo[u]san of the House?" Here Heima
was on sure ground. "Ojo[u]san of the House there is none. It is very
rude; but surely there is mistake as to the _yashiki_." Aoyama now was
beginning to see light. He felt very hot and uncomfortable. He ventured
a last question for surety. "And Okumura Dono?"--"The Tono Sama absent
in Shimosa, the _yashiki_ has been in this Heima's charge for this past
month's course." With such grace as he could in his discomfiture Aoyama
Shu[u]zen took his leave. The astonished page and _chu[u]gen_, still
retaining the intended presents of acknowledgment, with difficulty kept
up with their master. Ah! The beasts again had scored. Detestable!
Shu[u]zen thought with horror of his repast of the previous night. He
had no better fare than Rokuzo the _chu[u]gen_. In