Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/123

 II

returned home sadly with his son. His wife, Misao, and his chief retainer Shiōden met them at the porch. Misao was astonished to see the bruises on her husband's forehead.

"You look pale and dispirited, my dear," said she, "and how did you get that ugly wound on your forehead?"

Mitsuhidé did not reply, being wrapped in thought. Jūjirō, whose mind was also deeply preoccupied, raised his drooping head and gave an account of what had happened. How Mitsuhidé had been insulted by Rammaru, on the occasion of the Imperial messenger's entertainment; how Nobunaga had ordered Rammaru to beat him on the forehead, and how both father and son had been driven out of the castle.

Misao was overcome with grief at hearing this, and her thoughts instantly passed on to the future of her husband. But the fiery Shiōden could not remain passive. He said nothing, but flushed 73