ment of the content of their hosts. Aoyama
really was such. He was the one responsible for the call; Kondo[u] his
ready abettor. Said one--"Intense the cold, yet how explain the freaks
of Nature. If it were not so freezing the blue clusters hanging in
Kondo[u] Dono's garden, just traversed, could well pass for wisteria."
They laughed at him--"Wisteria in the seventh month? That would be as
great a marvel as the cold."--"Not so the grape," replied another.
"Kondo[u] Uji long since promised sight of the new plant. To be sure the
barbarian fruits are as ill trained and uncouth as the denizens of the
land they grow in. They flower and fruit in winter season. If not
wisteria the clusters must be of the grape."--"Not so," promptly put in
Aoyama. "Truly it is the green eye of jealousy which colours the vision.
They are icicles; and no seasoning for the repast or the conversation of
this cold occasion."--"Which brings the sweat to the face of Aoyama
Uji." Aoyama turned calmly on the rash interloper. "It is not sweat;
'tis mucous. The intense cold causes flow of mucous. Are not others so
affected?" He looked around grimly on the steaming shining faces before
him. "Mucous?" questioned a doubter. "Yes: face mucous," was the calm
rejoinder.

All turned to Kondo[u] Noborinosuke who would explain the more
particular purport of the meeting. There was report to make, a new
member to introduce. All turned with respect and salutation to Okumura
Shu[u]zen. It was a long and painful ceremony in the bulky winter garb.
But they were in relays, took turns. Ah! If it was but Aoyama, thus long
bent double, murmuring apology and compliment. Then Aoyama Shu[u]zen
made his report. He made it as one sure to please his hearers, many of
whom regarded him with no particular liking. In fact at the tale of his
discomfiture there was some joy, and tendency to show it. "Then, as with
us, Aoyama Uji meets Okumura Dono for the first time." Aoyama nodded an
amused assent. Said one more malicious, "And the repast? Surely the
_hatamoto_ was as well entertained as the _chu[u]gen_?" Shu[u]zen
skilfully dodged the issue. "The hour was very late. Such could hardly
be expected or offered to this Shu[u]zen without raising doubts.
Fortunately it was thus." Said one more persistent--"At least a cup of
wine...."--"Without fire or heating? More than rude the
implication!"--"Yet beasts know but little of etiquette; and if fox or
badger...." Kondo[u] Noborinosuke came in