AN UNEXPECTED CALL
Upon Shibusawa's arrival at the mansion he separated from his father
and, going to his own apartments, lay down to rest. The relaxation, due
to a change of solicitude, overcame his feverish anxiety and soon put
him fast asleep. When he arose, late in the afternoon, he set about his
duties as if no serious problem had ever entered his life, and when he
met Ikamon, his first caller, he proved himself the master of his own
situation.
The news of Shibusawa's return had soon spread, though it created little
interest beyond the circle of his immediate family. There was a time
when such an occurrence would have been heralded as an important event,
but now the lord daimyo no longer held the sway he once did. True, there
was no falling off in his power, and indirectly no slackening of his
influence; still that influence had come to be exercised largely through
the medium of Ikamon, and Maido's wealth and position were more and more
accounted as the latter's strength.
Going away from home at so early an age and remaining away for so long a
time, Shibusawa had never become well known at Tokyo, and almost ceased
to be taken into account in reckoning the family's political or social
status. Though Maido's neglect, occasioned largely by grief for his
absent son, had enabled Ikamon to gradually appropriate to his own use
the family's place and wealth, it was not so intended; and nobody knew
better than the wily son-in-law himself that default rather than purpose
permitted him to enjoy the almost unlimited use of another's fortune.
When Shibusawa returned, Ikamon therefore hastened to cultivate with the
son that same friendly intercourse which he had always enjoyed with the
father. In consequence he extended to his relative a hearty greeting,
which to his surprise met with a generous response.
This readiness to take the hand of fellowship did not arise from any
lack of understanding, nor could its motive be in the least questioned.
Shibusawa desired to cultivate a better acquaintance with his father's
associates and contemporaries as well as to meet and revive old
friendships. Persistency rapidly bore its fruit, for not alone his rank,
but his superior education and polish gave him place, while his quiet,
unobtrusive manner brought him into respect with all the more
progressive of the shogun's court.
In matters of state Maido had gradually released his hold, and now that
he had grown old and less inclined to assume the responsibility he began
to long for the freedom of the country. The son, as best he could,
assumed those duties which of necessity must sooner or later have
devolved entirely upon him, and together they planned so well that by
autumn they were enabled to determine upon returning for an indefinite
period to their home province, Kanazawa.
"Your long continued and able service," said Ikamon with enthusiasm,
when advised of their plans, "demands some recognition at the hands of
those who can ill afford to lose your presence at court. And to me, sir,
it is the greatest pleasure of my life to offer some entertainment to my
friends and to your friends and to be permitted the privilege. Come, my
good Maido, you shall not say no, and Shibusawa, I venture, will not."
"My son-in-law, my Ikamon, your good protestations overwhelm me. I
certainly do not deserve such kindly notice. I cannot make you a ready
answer--Shibusawa, will you be so good as to speak for me?"
"Yes, father," said the son, politely bowing. "If his highness, the
prime minister, so desires, I feel that it is a great privilege to
acknowledge the honour."
"And Ikamon shall make the occasion worthy the guests," said the
designing official, enthusiastic over the prospects.
Now Maido and his family could not make so important a move without
first obtaining the consent of the shogun, and as this rested primarily
with the prime minister, Shibusawa may have had good reason for so
quickly acceding to the doing of what he knew to be tainted with
something more than mere friendship. They earnestly desired the
privilege of absenting themselves from the capital, not alone that Maido
might enjoy the freedom of his former life and the intercourse with his
people, but that Shibusawa might begin his active career at home, where
he could better become acquainted, and familiarise himself with the
needs and resources of the prefecture. Maido, now in his declining
years, also craved the liberty of his child's companionship freed from
the cares of court life, especially that there were no pressing duties
at the capital. He therefore set forth his reasons and requests in a
letter, forthwith despatched to the department.
The answer soon came back at the hands of Ikamon himself, who, as a mark
of extreme deference, took along for the first time his respected wife,
Yasuko, a courtesy which so pleased Maido that he never forgot the
incident. Indeed, they were received with so much cordiality that the
set call was soon turned into an informal affair, and the little party
did not break up until a late hour. After refreshments had been served
they sat pleasantly chatting, the two elders about matters interesting
to them, thus leaving Yasuko and Shibusawa to indulge themselves as they
liked.
It was Shibusawa's first real opportunity to hear the neighbourhood
gossip, and while not at all a busybody he took advantage of the
occasion to learn some of the doings affecting him most. But Yasuko was
little given to gadding about, and in consequence not as conversant with
the neighbourhood affairs as some others. Indeed, she had never heard of
such a person as Kinsan,--nor did Shibusawa suspect that she had ever
had an opportunity or reason to hear of one in her caste,--therefore,
however much desired, though not expected, he gained no information in
that direction.
"I do wish you would try to see Nehachibana before you go away to
Kanazawa. I fear it may be a long time, Shibusawa, before you shall
again have a chance." said Yasuko, earnestly, while they were alone and
out of hearing distance of the rest of those present.
"I should very much like to," answered he, interestedly; "but I am so
prejudiced against that husband of hers, Tetsutaisho, that I almost
dread to go."
"But she is so disconsolate! And, poor thing, she is jealous, and yet so
wrapped up in him. I wonder she does not do some dreadful thing."
"I presume I shall have to go there or not see her at all."
"She seldom goes away from the house, and when she does her
mother-in-law goes foremost, you can be sure of that."
"Well, I shall manage in some way before I go, though probably it will
not be until later. I shall have to encounter the husband first."
"Oh, do, Shibusawa; I shall be so glad, and I know it will cheer her up.
You remember that she was always so fond of you, and you may be able to
encourage her. Please do not fail."
"Very well; I promise you."
Presently Ikamon came toward them, and the conversation was changed to
something less personal. Then after a few pleasantries the callers began
to make ready to take leave.
"I dare say," said Ikamon, adroitly, as they were about to leave the
house, "Yasuko has enjoyed this evening; her brother is seldom absent
from her mind, and did I not share the same good trait I certainly
should be a little jealous. Yes, sir; we think of you and your good
father often, and we regret to see you going so far away from us. Yet we
hope that the country will not hold you long, and that you will soon be
returning to the capital, where you are so exceedingly welcome, and so
illy spared."
While it pleased Shibusawa to see such good cheer and hear praise
bestowed upon his father, the encomium did not in any manner carry him
away nor cause him to suspect the giver; he merely passed it by as a
personal trait, without any regard to the real source of its apparent
emanation. Secretly he had long ago determined that he and his family,
or any other, would be courted just so long as they made themselves
worth the while. He appreciated Ikamon's kindness in suggesting the
entertainment, and, regardless of the motive or consequences, proposed
to enjoy such benefits as were of right his portion, so long as no moral
or material right was infringed upon.
After consulting Maido's convenience as to the time of the
entertainment, Ikamon and his wife withdrew amid hearty salutations and
started toward their home. The sky was clear and the moon up as they
sped along in the cool of night, listening to the patter of the
carriers' feet, or looking out upon the world of beauty around them.
Theirs was a happy contrast with those less fortunate, for--even in
feudal Japan--this mighty statesman once delved into mother earth for
meagre sustenance. There, too, the lowly rose to power and fame, and, as
the great minister leaned back under the golden canopy and sniffed the
balmy air floating in at the open sides, he marvelled at his own success
and swelled with pride at his extraordinary rise.
"It is the power of logic that sends men on their destined way. The sway
of chance or the hand of justice has little to do with the mysteries of
man's universe; it is the certainty of the thing that counts for much.
The success makes right, and Ikamon knows no wrong," said he to himself
as they came close to their gilded mansion and a hundred tired backs
welcomed the small relief.
Ikamon arose and stepped out of the tasselled chair, and stood waiting
to assist Yasuko. Ready and willing maids had already spread the leopard
skin, and as she thrust forward her dainty, white stockinged feet, two
gold-lacquered shoes were placed for them. Her husband extended his
hand, and she arose, gracefully walking toward the house where is known
"the golden crow" and "the jewelled hare," the law's luxury and man's
inheritance.
The prime minister drew from his girdle a string of "cash" which he
scattered, and a horde of thankful underlings scrambled for the bounty.
He too entered the privileged house, and soon after, taking his proper
leave, retired to his own chamber, where he planned and schemed the
grandest geisha party that his age had known.