the proprietress of the oil-shop. Then the rumour she had heard, that Hisamatsu was unduly intimate with her, was an actual fact. Strong feelings of jealousy took possession of her mind
"Kyūsaku and Hisamatsu?" was her brusque reply. "I don't know the names. Go and enquire elsewhere."
Needless to say, the visitor was O-Somé. She had been overwhelmed with sorrow, when she had heard that her beloved had gone back to his parents' home. So, with the excuse that she was going to visit the temple of Kwannon at the village of Nozaki, she had called, accompanied by a maid.
She knew that this must be Hisamatsu's house, because she had been informed of the fact by a villager. She therefore refused to leave. Wishing to propitiate the offended girl, she offered her some coral beads, wrapt in a fukusa,[1] saying politely:
"I had forgotten all about this, my girl. Please accept a little present as a memento of my first visit to your house."
O-Mitsu mechanically held out her hand to receive the gift, but said angrily: "I may be only
- ↑ A silk wrapper.
