Ghost!"

The ghost was not to be drawn out by this display of energy. Several
days passed without the slightest sign of it. Every day Kikugoro[u] came
to the Bairin and sent for Tsutayoshi.

_Kikugoro[u]_--"Yoshi San, has it not yet appeared?"

_Yoshi_--"_Do[u]mo!_ The patron is vexed. Every day, every day, it is
awaited; and not a sign of it. Feeling out of sorts, has it not died?
That's my idea."

_Kikugoro[u]_--"Oi! Oi! Yoshi San. Being dead, is it not a ghost? Once
dead, does the rascal die again?"

_Yoshi_--"_Do[u]mo!_ Patron, nothing is known of one's spirit. For it
not to appear is annoying. Spirits (_ki_) suffer pain; and suffering
pain they don't show themselves. It seems that you want it to appear
before the first representation. If I see it, I get five _ryo[u]_. I
would like to have it show itself before the _Bon_. My purpose is to get
through this year's _Bon_[47] by means of the ghost."

_Kikugoro[u]_--"Anyhow--have a care."

_Yoshi_--"Agreed."

That night he went home and drank wine.

_Man_--"Yoshi San, is he at home?"

Thereupon without ceremony entered an intimate friend, from Sakaicho[u]
near Fukiyacho[u]. He had loaned money to Tsutayoshi, and now sought the
repayment.

_Man_--"Yoshi San, you say you will bring it, you will bring it; and you
make no sign of bringing it. That was my money, and the failure to
return it is vexing. Will matters change before the _Bon_?"

_Yoshi_--"Wait but a little. If to-night something materializes I get
five _ryo[u]_. The money in hand, at once I will pay you back."

_Man_--"What is going to materialize? The five _ryo[u]_ you spoke of?"

_Yoshi_--"In fact at my house a ghost appears. The Otowaya San heard of
it. As of immediate use to the theatre I am carefully to observe what
the ghost wears. He says he will give me five _ryo[u]_. The money
obtained, at once the two _ryo[u]_ will be repaid. Wait until that
happens."

_Man_--"Oi! Oi! Yoshi San. Does a ghost really appear?"

_Yoshi_--"It really does."

_Man_--"What kind of a ghost?"

_Yoshi_--"As to that--right before one; a most blood-curdling thing.
Anyhow, I shiver all over at sight of it. Just like this--"

_Man_--"Where does it show itself?"

_Yoshi_--"Just where you are seated."

_Man_--"Yoshi San, jokes don't go."

Without waiting for an answer he fled. Seeing this said Tsutayoshi:

_Yoshi_--"A ghost is a very profitable object. Do but speak of it, and
he who would collect borrowed mo