Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/480

390 Tartary on no account to admit foreigners into the castle; even if they were his own kith and kin. She told them of the order, and added that she was at a loss what to do.

"It is impossible to disobey the King's order," said the old mother, "But I do not think you need fear an old woman like myself. I am very desirous of seeing you, so surely you can let me in, even if you refuse to admit the others."

"That is quite impossible," cried the sentinels. "Women are not excepted from the Imperial order. But if you will allow yourself to be bound with cords like a prisoner, our lord and master will not incur the wrath of the Majesty, should he hear of it. So if you insist on entering the castle you must be securely bound, old woman."

"Pshaw! What insolence!" cried Kokusenya, wrathfully. "You ask us to bind your lady's stepmother? It is unreasonable beyond belief! We Japanese will not endure such a gross insult! We will not meet or consult with your master if those are his conditions."

With these words Kokusenya took his aged mother by the arm, and was about to depart.