Tsuda Hachiya was now thirty-one. He was born the son of a farmer,
but being a handsome, well educated lad, in his sixteenth year he had
been appointed to the post of page in the household of Nobuyuki who
soon began to treat him with great fondness. The young samurai devoted
his leisure hours to a further study of literature, and to the practice
of fencing; and as he speedily evinced marked administrative ability,
such as was rarely found among the intellectually ill-trained samurai
of those days, he rapidly rose in the service, until now, while still
a young man, he was both Prime Councillor and Steward, and exercised
great authority. But notwithstanding the rank and power that might well
have turned the head of one so young, he behaved modestly in public
and private, and served his lord with all faithfulness and diligence,
gaining thereby the admiration of the whole clan for his character and
virtues.
One evening Hachiya presented himself before his lord at the latter’s
urgent summons.
“Hachiya,” began Nobuyuki, abruptly, with a pleasant smile, “I think it
is high time for you to—, isn’t it?”
“Excuse me, my lord, I do not understand you?” said Hachiya with a
puzzled look.
“That important affair of yours.”
“That important affair of mine?” echoed the young man more puzzled than
before.
“Ha, ha! how dull-witted you are to-day! The Katsuno affair!”
Hachiya did not speak. It was not the first time that Nobuyuki, who
was enthusiastic over the question of Hachiya’s marriage, had offered
to act as middleman between him and Katsuno. Far from objecting to
the proposed bride, Hachiya’s inclination pointed that way, but his
prudence, however, had hitherto prevailed, and he remembered the saying
‘a full moon is sure to wane.’ His appointment as Prime Councillor over
the heads of older men was already calculated to give offence; should
he marry Katsuno, the acknowledged beauty of the clan, would he not
still further give cause for jealousy and ill-feeling? Moreover, he was
not ignorant of Shichiroyemon’s mad attachment, and had no desire to
provoke his resentment; therefore, on various pretexts, he had month
after month evaded his lord’s importunity.
“Do you again say ‘until next month’?” said Nobuyuki, half
threateningly, as the young man remained silent. “Think not to deceive
me in that way!”
Hachiya did not answer; his head was bent in respectful attention.
“Answer me at once! Still silent?... Tell me, do you dislike the girl?”
“Oh, no, my lord, but I fear her refusal!”
“Is that all! Set your mind at rest on that score; I have sounded her.
Poor girl! Since the white-eye incident her ‘sickness’ has become worse
and she has grown quite thin!”
Observant and sympathetic, Nobuyuki had found out that Katsuno was
love-sick for Hachiya.
“Do not tease me, my lord! I will tell you of my real reasons for this
hesitation.”
And with this preface Hachiya gave his reasons, at each one of which
the older man gave a little nod of comprehension.
“I admire your prudence and forethought,” he said when Hachiya ceased
speaking. “But remember you can never do anything if you think so much
of the feelings of others. As for that doting old Shichiroyemon, do
not fear him. I have set my heart on your happiness, and I never do
things by halves. It is my wish, also, to give Katsuno the desire of
her heart. But as it is so near the close of the year we will postpone
the marriage till the New Year, and then I will listen to no more
denials. Yes, yes, that is what we will do, Hachiya.”
So saying, Nobuyuki summoned a maid and in a low voice gave an order.
Presently a bottle of _saké_ and some cups were brought in. Then the
_fusuma_ between this and the next room was gently slid open and there
appeared a beautiful young woman clad in a gay _uchikaké_ or gown, who
knelt with movements full of grace on the threshold. It was none other
than Katsuno.
“What is your pleasure, my lord?” said she bowing reverently first to
Nobuyuki and then to Hachiya.
“Ah, is it Katsuno? I want you to serve us with _saké_. Sit nearer to
me, Hachiya; come, let us have some _saké_.”
“Excuse me, my lord. Something tells me I am needed at home; besides it
is getting late. With your kind permission, I will go home at once.”
“No, no; not just yet, Hachiya. Though it is late no loved one is
waiting for your return, I imagine. Ha, ha! Come, you cannot refuse.
Katsuno, pour him out a cup of _saké_!”
[Illustration: She filled Hachiya’s cup to the brim]
Katsuno hesitated bashfully, but on Nobuyuki’s repeating his command,
she took the bottle, and with a hand that trembled filled Hachiya’s
cup to the brim. Their eyes met and both blushed consciously.
“If you have drunk, let Katsuno have the cup,” said Nobuyuki.
“I should return the cup to your lordship.”
“No, I will have it after her. Give it to Katsuno.”
Hachiya had no choice but to do as he was told, and accordingly offered
the cup, into which he had poured more _saké_, to the maid-of-honour,
who overcome with shyness, took and sipped it with difficulty.
“Give it to me.”