iba--"'Tis the rats; they gnaw and worry
at Kwaiba."--"Rats?" replied Kibei in some astonishment. He looked
around. The _sho[u]ji_ were tight closed. Kwaiba noted the inspection.
He shook his head, and pointed to the _rama-sho[u]ji_, the ornamental
open work near the ceiling. This could not be obviated. "Auntie (Obasan)
is old and deaf. She sleeps; while rats, attracted by the foul sores of
the scrofulous child, enter and attack the infant in its cradle. The
child gets thinner and weaker every day; then dies. A terrible creature
is the rat." So much for the opinion of Nippon. Kibei had brought a
mosquito net. Its edges were weighted down with heavy stones. Thus the
watchers could not be taken by surprise. Under its protection the sick
man was saved from annoyance.

Said Kibei--"This illness is most tedious. Could not Kibei go to the
Yoshiwara for a space? The letters of the Kashiku (_oiran_) accumulate.
Kibei has nothing to give, and has given no explanation for not giving.
What thinks Kakusuke?" Kakusuke was brave. Moreover he knew the Wakadono
was brave. The prospect, however, of facing his old master in a crazy
fit--and perhaps O'Iwa--had no attraction. He gave his advice--"The Go
Inkyo[u] Sama is in a very precarious state. He is now very weak. The
worst may happen at any moment. For the Wakadono to be taking his
pleasure at the Yoshiwara would arouse criticism in the ward; nay, even
more than criticism. It would be held unfilial. Deign to reconsider the
purpose." Kibei looked sourly at the swollen corruption which
represented Kwaiba--"How does he hold on! His strength must be great."
Kakusuke shrugged his shoulders--"The Go Inkyo[u] Sama will not die
easily. He has much to go through yet."--"In the name of all the _kami_
and Buddhas, how has he come to such an end? He is a sight to inspire
fear--in those who can feel such." Replied Kakusuke with sly look--"The
Go Inkyo[u] Sama has lived high, and loved beyond measure. The Wakadono
does well to reconsider his purpose."

The night was passing. The two men, worn out by the continued watching
and nursing, after vain struggle to keep awake had gone to sleep.
Kakusuke was in the room with Kwaiba. In his slumber Kibei was back in
the fencing room. The clash of the wooden swords (_bokken_), the cries
of the contestants, rang clear in his ears. He woke to find rain and
storm shaking and tearing at the _amado_. But it was the shouts of
Kakusuke, standing at the _sho[u]ji_,