lieves
in what Gombei has said; that he is with the Okumura. Does she not
remember times past, the reproof of the Danna? Sa! As before! As before!
As before! Put on outward seeming. Deign to be calm. No! No! No! Though
there be shame; display a smile. Do but this. The prudence of the lady
carries the day. The colour, the perfume, of the flower has no effect.
Sa! She won't stop! She will go! Thither she will take her way! The
conflagration of her wrath is in her glare. She goes, and Kosuke remains
behind!" At a sound she looked around. The little boy was weeping
bitterly at his mother's state. The tie of blood, her affection,
prevailed.

_O'Iwa_--"Oh! Bonka! Bonka! Bonka! The pretty fellow grieves."

She drew near to embrace him. Earnestly he looked in his mother's face.

_Child_--"Iya! Iya! My lady mother is not like this. I'm afraid! I'm
afraid!"

Weeping, the little boy dropped from her knee.

"Bei-yo! Please call my real lady mother."

_O'Iwa_--"Are! Are! Are! Deign to hear that! In heart children are
without discernment. My appearance changed, he fears the presence of his
mother. To her side he will not approach. How, how comes this face!
Meeting with Iemon Dono one would think--one would think--my very self
meets with retribution for some deed done in a past existence. Husband
and beloved child--alas! they avoid my sight."

With lamentable cries she wept. Kosuke, too, was moved, and joined in
her tears. O'Iwa again inspected the appearance of her face.

_O'Iwa_--"To continue living thus in the world would be one unending
shame. Dying the grudge will be repaid. Holding thus the skirt prevents
my leaving. This must not be. To that place I go."

As the two struggled the girdle (_obi_) came loose. The contest was
brought to an end. At this juncture returned Hamiya Iemon. He had little
disposition to enter his home. Thus unexpectedly, without premeditation,
the two came face to face. Mutually they gazed at each other. "Ho! The
Danna: good day." Kosuke remained where he was, uneasily twisting. O'Iwa
clasped tight the breast of her husband's coat. "Heigh! Iemon Dono."

_O'Iwa_--"Complete has been the silence toward me. Every night, every
night, polluted. With Koume have pillows been exchanged." Speech and
voice vibrated with jealousy. She glared at him. Without showing alarm:

_Iemon_--"Ma! I don't understand. This way of acting is unusual. Why
look like that? In that manner painful the change in appearance."-