stretch of _yashiki_ wall. From a
postern gate came forth a woman. The light of her lantern fell on the
man and his equipment--"Oya! Oya! Good fortune indeed: honoured
_shugenja_, a moment's stay. To-night a memorial service is to be said
for the mansion's lord. Condescend to enter and grant service."
Willingly husband and wife heard the invitation to rest their wearied
bodies. Passing through the garden water was supplied to wash the feet.
Then they were seated before an ample feast fit for their kind; of
glutinous rice balls coated with the sweet bean paste (_botamochi_), of
macaroni the savour of which tickled the nostrils, _sake_ followed, in
generous quantity and of quality to match.

Said the girl--"It is an all night service that is requested. Deign to
undertake the watch and prayer. Ample shall be the reward." Prostrate the
_shugenja_ spoke his thanks. The Butsuma, or room containing the little
shrine, was close at hand. Seating himself, his woman just behind, he
bowed and made reverence. "Thanks for the honoured entertainment so
generous and excellent. May the honoured spirit find rest, at once
entering Nirvana ... and now, the Hannya Shinkyo[u]--_Sutra_ of the
divine intelligence."[34] He began the recitation, accompanied by his
wife. Both intoned the _nembutsu_--"Namu Amida Butsu! Namu Amida Butsu!
Praise to Amida the Lord Buddha!" Again the recitation of the _Sutra_ was
begun. The hours of the night advanced. Man and wife became more and more
drowsy; slower and slower came the words of the sacred writing. Then the
man nodded off to sleep; as long before had the wife. The hour of the ox
struck at Gekkeiji, filling this whole district with its heavy boom. The
man woke with a start. What fearful shriek was that? Close by in the
next room a woman's voice began counting. But such a voice! "One, two,
three...." on it went to "nine.... Ah! Woe is me! One lacks. What's to be
done!" Shrill, blood chilling the cry of anguish which followed.
Curiosity overcame terror. The man stole to the screens and gently opened
the merest slit. Over his shoulder looked the startled wife.

A shudder went through both at the sight. Wan, frail, the beautiful
anguished evil face of a girl could be seen through the long tangled
hair framing it. Slender to the emaciation of great suffering she knelt
before the pile of plates she was counting--"One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight, nine...." The wild chilling scream froze man
a