Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/209

Rh the prince of the Ishizu Clan, Hisamatsu's house would be restored, and he himself would succeed to his father's estate and be made a samurai.

The loyal O-Shō called at the oil-shop and met Hisamatsu. She told him her glad news, and eagerly talked of the good future that lay in wait for him. He would rise with one bound from the lowly position of a mere clerk to that of a samurai. The old woman's son was at that time visiting the oil-shop, and was greatly delighted to hear the news. The mother and son urged Hisamatsu to leave that day with them for the Ishizu Clan, which he reluctantly did. He fully appreciated his old nurse's loyalty and kindness. He also knew that it was his bounden duty to succeed to his father's estate, and that it was an honour and glory for a man to serve a daimyo as a samurai. But he could not help thinking of his sweetheart, who had determined to kill herself. It would be faithless of him to desert her at such a time, and selfishly enjoy such an honour, immediately after her death. In his eye, titles and emoluments, honour and glory were now nothing to him. He must keep his promise to O-Somé to the end.

Whilst they were on their way to the Ishizu