Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/120

70 "Oh, don't take it amiss, Rammaru," replied Mitsuhidé, looking up with surprise. "How can I take much notice of you? The time for the banquet is drawing near, and I am busy attending to my duties."

"Silence! We were both appointed to the office of feasting the Imperial envoy. You behave as if you were the sole officer. I consider that is a personal insult. I suppose you think me a useless nuisance! You are an arrogant old wretch!"

Rammaru was not satisfied with this, so he heaped gross abuse on Mitsuhidé. At last the latter lost his patience and flew into a passion.

"You are an insolent youngster," he roared, clapping his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Speak another word, and it shall be your last!"

Rammaru was not daunted at this, and he crossed to Mitsuhidé, saying: "Kill me if you can!" and they were on the point of cutting at each other, when the fusuma, or sliding paper partition, was suddenly slid open and Nobunaga appeared on the scene.

He rushed at Mitsuhidé, and, seizing him by the collar of his kimono, held him on to the floor,