eisuke watched him--"It would be wise
for the Yamadaya to close early to-night, to take in their lanterns;
nay, even to board up the front and take refuge in the store-house."
To[u]suke was in no hurry to face Matsuzo, the _banto[u]_ of Yamadaya.
Continued the easy old fellow--"Well, 'tis their affair. They are as
good judges as Teisuke; and they could have been more civil in refusal.
At all events the house has seventy _ryo[u]_, and Kibei Dono is sober.
He will cut belly before dawn; and perhaps nothing will happen
hereabouts." The old pimp went off to his inner room; to sit down before
his wine about the same time that Kibei did the same in a cook shop
opposite the great gate of Yoshiwara. Here he idled, barely touched his
drink, and passed the time in bantering the maid servant. He was in a
riotous humour. He would take her to wife--and sell her the next
morning. "As they do yonder." But O'Kiyo was not of that kind. "There is
a lover?"--"Of course!" In admitting it she blushed, somewhat offended
at hint of suspicion that such was lacking. Jibed Kibei--"He will do the
same. Better to be the wife of a _samurai_; even for an hour." In the
end he frightened the girl a good deal, so boisterous was he. She had
gone out to buy him a deep hat. With relief she saw him put it on and
set forth into the darkness and the rain.

The eighth hour (1 A.M.) was nearly ready to strike. The pleasure quarter
was silent. Passersby were few. The occasional shuffling sound of
_zo[u]ri_ (sandals) could be heard behind the closed _amado_. Kibei smiled
cynically as he recognized this mark of revolting passage from one room to
another. In doubt he stood before the gate of the Yamadaya. How break in
and kill them all? If Kibei had his way the Kashiku would keep her word.
Just then a noise of voices was heard within, the falling of the bar.
Several belated guests came forth. They were in the charge of O'Moto, the
maid of the Matsuminatoya. Affectionate were the leave-takings with the
quondam wives. "Condescend an early visit. This Haya lives but in the
thought of Mosuke."--"Bunzaemon San, be faithful to this Hana. In his
absence she is always ill. She receives no one." At this there was a roar
of laughter from the others of the company. Bunzaemon answered with
reproaches. Kibei followed behind. This fellow was somewhat lamed. He
lagged behind. Kibei pulled his sleeve. Bunzaemon, the cit, turned in
surprise and fear at sight of the _samurai_ in his