them belonging to O'Iwa San; just as Kwaiba
holds the acknowledgment of Akiyama San." Cho[u]zaemon made a wry face.
The prospect of pressure put on him, with all the added accumulation of
the months of interest, was not a cheerful one. Said Kwaiba
angrily--"Ah! Whoever would have suspected such obstinacy in the O'Bake;
she who always was so yielding within her home and outside of it. She
seemed to be such an easy mark. It was merely a matter of ordering her
out. And now she baffles this Kwaiba of his revenge!" Iemon laughed
outright. Kwaiba looked at him with surprise. Was this charlatan playing
a double game? Said Iemon--"Fear enters at the words of the honoured
chief. Pray condescend to be easy in mind. As yet Cho[u]zaemon has not
failed. At least the question can be argued with the _Kumi-gashira_. It
is left to these principals. Iemon is of better counsel." Then after a
silence during which Kwaiba intently eyed him--"To-morrow O'Iwa San
leaves Yotsuya. Kwaiba Dono gets his revenge on the late master of
Tamiya. Pray remember it, in favour of the present incumbent of the
House." Said Kwaiba fervently--"Iemon would be a son to Kwaiba! Is it
really true--that the O'Bake will be expelled the ward, in disgrace?"
Iemon nodded assent.

On the following day O'Iwa had completed her ablutions. She arrayed
herself in freshly washed robes. Then she took her place before the
Butsudan. It was memorial day of the decease of the _hotoke_. Earnestly
she prayed--"Deign, honoured _hotoke_, to have regard to this Iwa. The
year has not lapsed since the hand of Iwa was placed in that of Iemon.
Now the House is brought to ruin. No heir appears to console this Iwa
and to continue its worship, to inherit its revenues. 'Take these in
hand. Life lies before Iemon for their enjoyment. His revenue will be
ample. Deign but to have the honour of the House in mind, the
continuance of its line as object.' Such were the words of the honoured
Matazaemon when in life. Unworthy has been the conduct of this trust by
Iemon. But divorce is a scandal, always to be avoided by a woman. Return
the love of Iemon to this Iwa. Deign, honoured _hotoke_, to influence
his wandering passions toward this child of the House. Cause the husband
to return to Tamiya, once more to uphold its rights and influence. Such
is the prayer of this Iwa." She rose, placed the offerings, and struck
the little bell with the hammer. As she did so a noise was heard at the
entrance. Iemon