ur
behalf and on my own.

WIFE.--Then where shall you go?

HUSBAND.--I mean (to say nothing of those in the metropolis and in the
suburbs) to worship at every Shintau shrine and every Buddhist temple
throughout the land.

WIFE.--No, no! I won't allow you to go out of the house for a single
hour. If you are so completely bent upon it, choose some devotion that
can be performed at home.

HUSBAND.--Some devotion to be performed at home? What devotion could
it be?

WIFE.--Burning incense on your arm or on your head.[171]

HUSBAND.--How thoughtlessly you do talk! What! is a devotion like that
to suit _me_--a layman if ever there was one?

WIFE.--I won't tolerate any devotion that cannot be performed at home.

HUSBAND.--Well, I never! You _are_ one for talking at random. Hang it!
what devotion shall it be? [_He reflects a few moments._] Ah! I have
it! I will perform the devotion of abstraction.

WIFE.--Abstraction? What is that?

HUSBAND.--Your want of familiarity with the term is but natural. It is a
devotion that was practised in days of old by Saint Daruma[172]--(blessings
on him!) you put your head under what is called the "abstraction blanket,"
and obtain salvation by forgetting all things past and to come--a most
difficult form of devotion.

WIFE.--About how long does it take?

HUSBAND.--Well, I should say about a week or two.

WIFE.--That won't do, either, if it is to last so many days.

HUSBAND.--Then for how long would my darling consent to it without
complaining?

WIFE.--About one hour is what I should suggest; but, however, if you
can do it in a day, you are welcome to try.

HUSBAND.--Never, never! This important devotion is not a thing to be
so easily performed within the limits of a single day. Please, won't
you grant me leave for at least a day and a night?

WIFE.--A day and a night?

HUSBAND.--Yes.

WIFE.--I don't much relish the idea; but if you are so completely bent
upon it, take a day and a night for your devotion.

HUSBAND.--Really and truly?

WIFE.--Really and truly.

HUSBAND.--Oh! that is indeed too delightful! But I have something to
tell you: know then, that if a woman so much as peep through a chink,
to say nothing of her coming into the actual room where the devotee is
sitting, the spell of the devotion is instantly broken. So be sure not
to come to where I am.

WIFE.--All right. I will not come to you. So perform away.

HUSBAND.--Well, then, we will meet again after