"This is a pretty way of insulting people's daughters. The girl is our
daughter, and there's no mistake about it. How dare you invent such
lies?"
"Well," said Tokutarô, "you are quite right to say so; but still there
is no doubt that this is a case of witchcraft."
Seeing how obstinately he held to his opinion, the old folks were
sorely perplexed, and said--
"What do you think of doing?"
"Pray leave the matter to me: I'll soon strip the false skin off, and
show the beast to you in its true colours. Do you two go into the
store-closet, and wait there."
With this he went into the kitchen, and, seizing the girl by the back
of the neck, forced her down by the hearth.
"Oh! Master Tokutarô, what means this brutal violence? Mother! father!
help!"