The Yotsuya Kwaidan | Page 8

only return required was
submission to the exigencies of the Ojo[u]san. This was no slight

obligation. Densuké at times thought of escape, to his home at
To[u]gané village in Kazusa, to his uncle Kyu[u]bei in the Kanda
quarter of Edo. O'Mino seemed to divine his thoughts. She would
overload him with favors; or openly express her purpose of following
wherever he went in life. Kanda? Kyu[u]bei was a well-known
hanger-on at the Tamiya. Matazaémon entered him up in his expense
book at so much a year. To[u]gané? He could not get there except
through Kyu[u]bei. Matazaémon had farms there, and the nanushi or
village bailiff was his servant. Besides, he would be a runaway.
Matazaémon surely would come down on Kyu[u]bei as the security. So
the months passed, and matters were allowed to drift. Perhaps it was
some gossip of the quarter which reached the deaf ears of Matazaémon.
As he was about to go forth one day he followed the figure of O'Mino
sharply with his little eyes all screwed up. "Naka, there seems change
in the figure of Mino. Surely the gossip of the neighbours as to
Densuké is not true? Mino is said to harbour a child by him. In such
case it would be necessary to kill them both. Warn Mino in time; a
chu[u]gen is not one to become the adopted son (muko) of the Tamiya.
He is an excellent lad, and costs but little. His habits are not riotous. To
dismiss him thus causelessly would not only be unjust, but to no profit.
Mino giving heed to the warning, all will be well." With this the lord of
the household stalked forth to the house entrance. Receiving his clogs
from O'Mino, he stalked forth to his official attendance. The two
women, prostrate in salutation at his exit, raised their heads to watch
him stalk.
It was a frightened face that O'Naka turned to her daughter. In
whispering voice--"The honoured father's words have been heard? If
not, it is to be said that gossip of the neighbourhood has come to his
ears as to relations with Densuké. He notices that an obi is not often
worn; and when worn is soon discarded. However, a man's eye is not so
apt in such matters. Even in this Naka cannot speak positively.
Doubtless the report is not true." O'Mino, if ugly, was anything but
obtuse. Her mother must know; and yet not know. "My honoured father
does not consider the difference of age and status in Densuké. Densuké
is but a boy. This Mino has passed her twenty-third year. Moreover,
surely she deserves a better husband than a chu[u]gen. Least of all

would she give her father cause for regret or painful thoughts. Can a
woman be pregnant otherwise than by a man?" O'Mino, respectfully
prostrate, with this raised her head. The two women looked each other
in the face. Finally O'Naka said--"With joy is the answer heard. But
Matazaémon San is of hasty temper. In his suspicions even he is to be
avoided. However, the business of the house is to be performed. This
will take the time until late in the day. Tradesmen may come for
payments of the month. In the closet ten ryo[u] in silver will be found.
Here are the keys to the chests. It would be well to take an inventory of
the effects. The winter is at hand. It is time to make warmer provision
for it. Be sure to observe circumspection." With these words, and a sad
look at her erring daughter, O'Naka donned street garb, threw a haori
(cloak) over her shoulders, climbed down into her clogs, and their
patter soon disappeared down the street.
Her departure was almost coincident with the reappearance of Densuké.
His attendance on the master to the offices of the palace stables
accomplished, for the time being he had returned. Thus did
Matazaémon effect an outward state and an household economy. None
too willing was the presence of Densuké. He was faithful in his way to
O'Mino, and much afraid of her. Even in the most private intercourse to
him she was the Ojo[u]san, the daughter of the House; but he had no
other recourse than the Tamiya. Once assured of him, O'Mino had cut
off all the previous flow of coin, and with it the means of his rare
indiscretions at the Shinjuku pleasure quarter. Besides, their interviews
took place in the darkness of night. In the daytime O'Naka usually was
present, who, lacking other company, sought that of her daughter, and
moreover was unwilling to be too complacent in the intrigue she saw
going on. As soon as the sound of Densuké's steps was heard, O'Mino
called him. There was a sharpness in her tone, a note of alarmed
decision, that frightened and