Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/238

176 duty to one's father is far greater than one's duty to one's foster-father. This is even greater when your father is an Emperor,"—Tsunémori assumed a look of firm determination—"If you do not listen to my advice, I am bound to commit seppuku as a token of apology to His Majesty the ex-Emperor."

Hereupon Atsumori reluctantly gave his consent, and retired into an inner room with Fuji-no-Kata and Tamaori, saying that he would hasten to prepare himself for his journey. Tsunémori was thus freed from his anxiety regarding his family. He therefore made up his mind to leave for the camp at Ichi-no-tani. At that moment a messenger came from the headquarters, urging him to go there without any delay. He wished with great thoughtfulness to save his family from unnecessary tears, so he departed with the messenger without so much as bidding them farewell.

Fuji-no-Kata was quite unaware of this, and shortly afterwards returned to the parlour for a few minutes' farewell talk with her husband. But she was surprised and disappointed to find that he was not there.

"Alas!" cried she. "Lord Tsunémori must