e distracted son, whose haggard looks showed the strain of the
past weeks. Besides she was a woman, and as such fully believed in and
feared the curse of this dead O'Iwa, one who had died without funeral
rites or prayer. "Fortunately the honoured father now is on the night
watch at the castle. He is at home, drinking his wine. His humour is
excellent. Wait but a moment." Leaving Kibei she went to the room of
Sho[u]gen's light indulgence. The severe and conscientious nobleman was
bending under the genial influence of the _sake_. "Kibei? He comes in good
season. The heir of Kwaiba Inkyo[u] has not favoured his real father of
late. Ah! The boy was well placed. Kwaiba soon made way for him; and none
too willingly, one can believe." He chuckled. Then noting his wife's
troubled looks. "But there is something to tell."--"So indeed; none too
pleasant." She went into the story Kibei had told her. "His fear of O'Iwa
San is deadly. The House is ruined, with no profit in the connection.
Deign to permit the cancellation of the adoption, his return to the House
of his true parent." She stopped before the stern astonished look of the
husband. Said he harshly--"Let him come up. Sho[u]gen answers Kibei Dono
in person.... Heigh! Up here with you! For Ito[u] Dono there is wine...."
Kibei entered joyfully at his father's call. Success was in his hands.
Once more he was to marshal his father's retainers and accompany him to
the castle; once more be the habitue of the fencing rooms. "Honoured
father, fear enters: for long this Kibei has not ventured into your
presence."--"And need not for long again," thundered the old man. "What
stuff is this for the ears of Sho[u]gen? Kibei would sever his connection
with the Ito[u] House. Kibei is afraid of a ghost! He fears a girl! A
_samurai_ wearing two swords shrinks from an encounter with a woman! Has
Sho[u]gen no obligation toward his old friend Kwaiba? In more serious
matters and in life Sho[u]gen would share Kwaiba's lot. Back with you to
the house in Yotsuya! If this matter become known, both Kibei and
Sho[u]gen will be the laughing stocks of Edo. At least keep such fears to
yourself. Off with you! Sho[u]gen had wine for Ito[u] Dono. For the fellow
who would call himself--Fukutaro[u], he has none." With a kick he sent
rolling the _zen_ (table) with its burden of bottles and heating
apparatus. In a rage he left the room.

Kibei's face was white as he raised it from the _tatami_. "Father has no
expe