Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/204

146 So saying, she handed the old man the 150 ryō which she had received from Kosuké.

At first he positively declined the gift, but, on her pressing him, he accepted it with hearty thanks.

Evening was now drawing in, and O-Katsu prepared to take her departure with Hisamatsu, O-Somé, and the maid. But she was afraid that if the young couple were to go back together at night, it might give a handle to gossip. It was therefore decided that Hisamatsu should return by land, and O-Somé by river.

The party all went together as far as the ferry, where Hisamatsu took a palanquin, and O-Katsu and the girls boarded a boat. Kyūsaku and O-Mitsu accompanied the party to the ferry. They stood on the bank and, as the boat and the palanquin receded from their sight, they called, "Farewell, Hisamatsu." "Farewell, O-Somé San!" and they were delighted to see handkerchiefs waved from the palanquin and the boat, in response.

The two wistfully remained there, until at last they lost sight of the palanquin and the boat.