Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/145

Rh kept her constantly supplied with money and provisions.

One day Mitsuhidé's wife Misao ("Chastity") called at Satsuki's cottage, accompanied by her son Jūjirō's fiancée Hatsugiku ("Early Chrysanthemum"), to inquire after her health. The old woman welcomed them heartily. After they had talked on various topics for some minutes, she asked anxiously: "By the by, Misao, is Jūjirō still safe in the headquarters?"

"He is still there," answered Misao. "He ardently wishes to join in today's battle, and to cover himself with glory. He has obtained permission from his father, but his sense of duty prevents him from going to battle without gaining your permission also. He begged me therefore to ask for your consent. Are you willing to allow him to go to war, mother?"

"Jūjirō's idea is indeed admirable," said the old lady, bursting into tears of joy. "I cannot understand how a real samurai such as Jūjirō could have possibly been born to such a vile wretch as Mitsuhidé. Of course I will grant his request."

At this moment a Buddhist priest wearing