has she had to console
her during these bitter months but the thought of their kindness? This
dress (a scantily wadded single garment), these bare feet in this snow,
this degraded life--are not they evidences of Iwa's struggle for the
honour of husband and House? Mobei, slander of honourable men brings one
to evil. Mobei lies; lies!"

He seized her dress. The man now was weeping. "The lady of Tamiya is a
saint. Alas! Nothing does she know of the wicked hearts of men. Too
great has been the kindness of the Ojo[u]san to this Mobei for him to
attempt deceit. Deign to listen. This day a week; was it not the day to
a year of the Ojo[u]san's leaving the house in Yotsuya?" O'Iwa turned to
him with a startled face. He continued--"A week ago Mobei visited
Yotsuya. He has many customers there, not too curious about prices.
Hence he brings the best of his wares. Coming to the house in
Samoncho[u] a feast was in progress. There were present Ito[u] Dono,
Akiyama Sama, Natsume and Imaizumi Sama, Kondo[u] Dono; O'Hana San, of
course. All were exceedingly merry, Iemon Dono poured out a cup of wine.
'Mobei! Mobei! Come here! Drain this cup in honour of the occasion. We
celebrate the anniversary of the expulsion of the _bakemono_. The demon
is driven forth from the Paradise of Yotsuya. Namu Myo[u]ho[u] Renge
Kyo[u]! Namu Myo[u]ho[u] Renge Kyo[u]!' This Mobei was amazed--'The
O'Bake.... What O'Bake?'--'Why: O'Iwa San. A year since, with the aid of
these good friends, and one not present here, Iemon freed himself from
the clutches of the vengeful apparition. Our _Kumi-gashira_ granted
divorce in due form. The son of Takahashi Daihachiro[u]--Yanagibara
Kazuma--Tamiya Iemon no longer catches at sleep to wake in fear. Chief,
deep is the gratitude of Iemon for the favour done by Ito[u] Dono.' The
Ojo[u]san a _bakemono_! At these outrageous words Mobei felt faint.
Receiving the cup, as in modesty returned to the _ro[u]ka_ to drink, the
contents were spilled on the ground. Ah! Honoured lady, it is not only
that the Ojo[u]san has been driven out. Her goods have been cleverly
stolen by false messages of gambling losses. Stored with Kondo[u] Sama
they were brought back on the success of the wicked plot. The whole is a
conspiracy of Iemon Dono with Ito[u] Dono, with Akiyama, Cho[u]bei,
Kondo[u], and others. They bragged of it, and told the tale in full
before this Mobei, laughing the while. Why, lady! On the word of
Cho[u]bei San the order of divorc