Page:Kwaidan; Stories and Studies of Strange Things - Hearn - 1904.djvu/147

 had been closed against the wind. An old woman opened them, and cried out compassionately at the sight of the handsome stranger: &quot; Ah, how pitiful!—a young gentleman traveling alone in such weather! … Deign, young master, to enter.&quot;

Tomotada dismounted, and after leading his horse to a shed in the rear, entered the cottage, where he saw an old man and a girl warming themselves by a fire of bamboo splints. They respectfully invited him to approach the fire; and the old folks then proceeded to warm some rice-wine, and to prepare food for the traveler, whom they ventured to question in regard to his journey. Meanwhile the young girl disappeared behind a screen. Tomotada had observed, with astonishment, that she was extremely beautiful,—though her attire was of the most wretched kind, and her long, loose hair in disorder. He wondered that so handsome a girl should be living in such a miserable and lonesome place.

The old man said to him:—

&quot;Honored Sir, the next village is far; and the snow is falling thickly. The wind is piercing; and the road is very bad. Therefore, to proceed further this night would probably be dangerous. Although this hovel is 123