grazed my helmet."--"The gorgelet caught it."--"The
corselet has saved me."--"Congratulations are in order. Surely your
pension will be increased during the year."--"Oya! Oya! And Genzaemon
Uji?" The unfortunate Genzaemon had not fared so well in the mimic war.
At all events he sat the meeting out--if he could. To be reported dead,
in the course of duty; or be overcome with regrets at showing such
clumsiness in being wounded; or, if actually incapacitated, to go home
and die of "illness" (cut belly).[9]

The Gaman Kwai, or Endurance Society, was another form the movement
took. In the season of great cold its meetings were held as if in the
height of the _doyo[u]_ or dog days; vice-versa with the time of great
heat. It was the beginning of the seventh month (first half of August).
The heat was intense, and had been for the past weeks. The farmer
watched the steamy vapour rising from the rice fields and rejoiced. The
plants were growing luxuriantly, the leaves of the willow trees were
hanging yellow and wilted. Passers by on city or village streets sought
the shade under the buildings, walking with languid lagging step, and,
home once reached, removing every garment which etiquette--not
decency--had hitherto compelled. Great was the dismay of the weaker
members of the Gaman Kwai on receipt of a circular letter couched much
as follows:

"In this season of great cold the continuance of the
honoured health is observed with joy. On the seventeenth day
it is desired to make offering of a cup of indifferent wine.
It is begged that the use of the honoured _kago_ (palanquin)
be condescended. This the purport of the missive. With
reverence and respect.

KONDO[U] NOBORINOSUKE.

To...."

The weaker allowed this missive to float gently and despairingly
earthwards. Gasping for breath in the stifling heat they sought to fan
themselves into a semi consciousness. "Terrific! Terrific! Yet refusal
is out of the question. Ah! This Kondo[u] is a doubtful sort of rascal.
He is of the cruel kind. No mercy is to be expected of him. Yet if one
fails to attend there will be but jeers and taunts of cowardice. One
could not appear in public. Alas! Alas!" The stronger received it with
equal impatience, but with the purpose to put in the evil hours with the
best possible face, and score on the host--if they could. All left
strict orders at home for a cold bath to be in readiness for the return.
To this r