re was an unnatural
wildness in his amusement at their discomfiture. Now he would talk of
nothing but O'Iwa. From this hysterical mirth he passed to an hysterical
fear. Afraid of visions of the Lady of Tamiya he stayed awake at night.
To be alone appalled him. He would have others keep awake with him. He
was now at the gibbering stage. "Night in the house of Kwaiba is to be
turned into day. The day shall be the time for sleep. Lights! Lights!
More lights!" He sat surrounded by his household, until the white light
of dawn filtered through the spaces above the rain-doors. One of his
women, her hair down for washing, met him unexpectedly in the corridor.
With a howl of terror he started to flee. Then recognizing her, he flew
on her and beat her almost to a jelly in his insane rage. People began
to talk of the eccentricities of Ito[u] Kwaiba--the honoured ward head.

Barely three weeks after Iemon's visit a violent scene occurred in the
mansion of the _Kumi-gashira_. Shouts and screams, the smashing of
screens and sounds of a terrific struggle were heard in Kwaiba's room.
Kibei, who with the men preferred night for sleep, rushed in. He found
the old man standing, stark naked and alone. His attendants had fled--to
a woman. His pillow sword drawn, Kwaiba was dancing to this side and
that. "Isuke! O'Iwa! Pardon! This Kwaiba is a wicked fellow! Isuke was
poisoned by Kwaiba. O'Iwa San? Kwaiba sold her for a street whore. For
seven lives they pursue him. Ah! A merry chase! But Kwaiba deals not
with night-hawks. His game is higher. Away with the huzzy!" He had
grasped in both hands the flower vase standing in the alcove
(_tokonoma_). Kibei dodged, and catching him by a wrestler's hold, threw
him to the ground. Kakusuke, just entering, was knocked flat by the
heavy missile. Groaning, he rose, and with other servants came to the
aid of the Wakadono. Kwaiba was overpowered and guarded during the
remainder of the night.

With daylight he knew nothing of what had occurred; at least he made
no reference to it, no response to the talk of others. His fear was now
full on him. He babbled of nothing but Isuke and O'Iwa San. Now he was
incapacitated, downright ill. There was no more turning of day into
night, and _vice versa_. He was in the hands of his nurses. But to
humour him Kibei marshalled the women. Their beds were made encircling
that of Kwaiba in the midst. Kibei and Kakusuke were present. Thus they
lay in this room brilliant with