e bag caught
his eye. "Whence was this rice had? And this money? From Jibei, the
_fudasashi_ dealer? A visit paid in such garb? Truly the House is
disgraced, not only by your ugliness, but by ill conduct. Who could
remain in such a den?" O'Iwa threw herself in his way as he rose to
leave the room. Clinging to his sleeve she pleaded for pardon, as only a
woman can do who has done no wrong. There was an ugly look on Iemon's
face as he turned on her. Frightened, she would have fled. Instead she
could only crouch like a dog under the blows he showered on her. Then
with a violent kick in the groin he rolled her over, and departed.

O'Iwa heard footsteps. Had Iemon returned? Despite the pain, she half
sat up in her dread. Kondo[u] Rokuro[u]bei appeared. The portly man held
up his hands in horror and benevolence at what he saw. "But O'Iwa--what
has occurred? Ah! Kondo[u] has heard rumours of what is going on. The
_tatami_ (mats), screens, drawers (_tansu_), clothes-baskets--the house
is completely stripped to satisfy the thirst for the money of others.
Now he has descended to blows! Truly he is a miserable fellow."
Kondo[u]'s voice grew loud in his wrath. "This must not go on.
Rokuro[u]bei is responsible to Tamiya, to the ancestors. To be subject
to a fellow like this will never do. A divorce is to be secured. Let him
depart with his plunder. Let him have everything; only to get rid of
him. He is husband, and head of Tamiya. But Kondo[u] will be too much
for him. A divorce shall be secured. Ito[u] Dono, the ward chief, is to
be interested in the affair. Pressure shall be put on Iemon to grant the
letter of divorce." Indignation choked the worthy man. O'Iwa spoke
slowly, with pain and effort. "Be in no such haste, Kondo[u] Sama. Iemon
has not been a good man. Much is known to this Iwa. He buys women at
Nakacho[u]. He buys _geisha_. He gambles. These are a man's vices. As to
these Iwa has nothing to say. She is the wife, for two lives to maintain
the house in good and ill fortune. A good wife does not look to divorce
to rectify mistakes. With such remedy Iwa has nothing to do. But is not
Kondo[u] Sama the _nako[u]do_? Was he not the mediator in the marriage
between Iemon and Iwa? Deign to speak as _nako[u]do_. Rebuke Iemon.
Cause this gambling to be brought to an end." Rokuro[u]bei could hardly
hear her to the end. His testy impatience was in evidence. He broke into
protest--"This is complete madness; utter folly. You allow this