nd control. I was a diviner on the public
highway."--"So 'twas heard," grumbled Kwaiba. "Without customers, and
with no use for the diviner's lens but to charr the rafters of the
garret in which you lived." Iemon did not care to notice the attack. He
merely said--"Deign not to find amusement in what really is a serious
matter to one who has to suffer poverty. While seated at the diviner's
stand attention was drawn by a girl coming down the Kuramae. Slouching
along close by her was a drunken _samurai_. From time to time he lurched
entirely too close to her. Turning unexpectedly her sunshade caught in
his _haori_ (cloak), which thereby was slightly torn. At once he flew
into a great rage. Laying hands on her he showed no disposition to
accept her excuses. 'Careless wench! You have torn my dress. How very
impudent of you. Unless you at once accompany me to the tea house close
by, to serve the wine and please me, pardon, there is none; be sure of
that.' The people had gathered like a black mountain. Nothing was to be
seen but heads. O'Hana San was in the greatest embarrassment, unable to
free herself from the insults and importunities of the drunken fellow.
The _samurai_ was hid under the diviner's garb. Stepping from the stand
I interposed in the girl's behalf, making apology, and pointing out the
rudeness of his behaviour to the drunkard. Instead of becoming calm he
raised his fist and struck me in the face. His condition gave the
advantage without use of arms. Locking a leg in his tottering supports I
threw him down into the ditch. Then with a word to O'Hana San to flee at
once, we disappeared in different directions. The _samurai_ Iemon again
became the diviner. That part of his role this Iemon regrets; but a
weapon he could not draw in the quarrel. Later on meeting O'Hana San at
the Kwannon temple of Asakusa thanks were received, for what was a very
trivial service."--"And again renewed," said the beauty, raising her
downcast face to look direct into that of Iemon. Said Kwaiba--"Ah!
That's the tale, is it? A fortunate encounter, and a strange reunion;
but the world is full of such. O'Hana, it comes in most befitting that
opportunity is afforded to favour the rescuer with something of greater
value than thanks. Pray serve him with wine." Then did Kwaiba take the
matter as a man of the world. But he was no fool, "this old _tanuki_
(badger) of a thousand autumns' experience on hill and in dale." He
understood very well that