e dinners dear to the heart of the men of Nippon. These
neighbours were astonished at the future son-in-law of the Tamiya. This
man was to be the husband of the O'Bake? Was he mad, or drunk? Perhaps
the latter, for neither themselves nor Kazuma had the opportunity to be
particularly sober during this period of festivity. Of course there was
an introduction to Matazaemon, the other principal involved. As Kondo[u]
carefully explained, no set date could be made for this interview.
Tamiya Dono was ill, and to be seen at a favourable time. As ill luck
would have it, on the very day the interview was permitted O'Iwa San
received an urgent summons from the Okugata of the Hosokawa House. This
could not be disregarded, and her absence on the second occasion was
easily explained and condoned. Kondo[u] certainly made no effort, and
Kazuma no suggestion, for a meeting in the three days intervening before
the formal marriage.

At evening the guests met in the reception rooms of Tamiya. In a private
apartment were Kondo[u] Rokuro[u]bei and his wife, O'Iwa, and Iemon. The
latter name had been assumed by Kazuma on his formal registration in the
Tamiya House. It was Cho[u]bei who had purchased the _wataboshi_, or
wadded hood, of floss silk worn by the bride on this great occasion of
her life. Iemon could see but little within its depths, except the
shining light of her countenance. Joy perhaps? At least this curiosity
was soon to be satisfied. Nine times--three times three--were the _sake_
cups drained. Kondo[u] Rokuro[u]bei joined the hands of the train,
exhorting them to mutual forbearance, O'Iwa to unquestioning obedience
to the husband. He pattered over the maxims of the Do[u]jikun of Kaibara
Yekken in this strange case, as he had done twenty times before with
favourable results. Yekken's book was comparatively recent, only a few
decades old, and the woman's guide. Truly the position of the
_nako[u]do_ was no easy one, if it was to bring him at odds with either
House involved. He felt complacent. This pair at least presented less
complications in that line than usual. What there was of doubtful issue
came now to the test. At this crisis he cast an eye to the _ro[u]ka_
(verandah) to see that Cho[u]bei really was at hand as promised. Then
the strings of the _wataboshi_ were loosed. The hood concealing the face
of O'Iwa was removed.

Iemon rose to his feet as if impelled by springs; then hurriedly he sat
again with some mumbled excuse