Tales of Old Japan - Maybe You Like It

servant leading the way. Arrived at her house, the gentleman goes
straight in without the knowledge of the lady, who, coming out and
meeting Tarôkaja, asks after his master. He replies that his master is inside
the house. She refuses to believe him, and complains that, for some
time past, his visits have been few and far between. Why should he come
now? Surely Tarôkaja is hoaxing her. The servant protests that he is
telling the truth, and that his master really has entered the house. She,
only half persuaded, goes in, and finds that my lord is indeed there. She
welcomes him, and in the same breath upbraids him. Some other lady
has surely found favour in his eyes. What fair wind has wafted him back
to her? He replies that business alone has kept him from her; he hopes
that all is well with her. With her, indeed, all is well, and there is no
change; but she fears that his heart is changed. Surely, surely he has
found mountains upon mountains of joy elsewhere, even now, perhaps,
he is only calling on his way homeward from some haunt of pleasure.
What pleasure can there be away from her? answers he. Indeed, his time
has not been his own, else he would have come sooner. Why, then, did
he not send his servant to explain? Tarôkaja here puts in his oar, and
protests that, between running on errands and dancing attendance upon
his lord, he has not had a moment to himself. "At any rate," says the master,
"I must ask for your congratulations; for my suit, which was so important,
has prospered." The lady expresses her happiness, and the gentleman
then bids his servant tell her the object of their visit. Tarôkaja objects
to this; his lord had better tell his own story. While the two are disputing
as to who shall speak, the lady's curiosity is aroused. "What terrible
tale is this that neither of you dare tell? Pray let one or other of you
speak." At last the master explains that he has come to take leave of her,
as he must forthwith return to his own province. The girl begins to weep,
and the gentleman following suit, the two shed tears in concert. She uses
all her art to cajole him, and secretly produces from her sleeve a cup of
water, with which she smears her eyes to imitate tears. He, deceived by
the trick, tries to console her, and swears that as soon as he reaches his
own country he will send a messenger to fetch her; but she pretends to
weep all the more, and goes on rubbing her face with water. Tarôkaja, in
the meanwhile, detects the trick, and, calling his master on one side, tells
him what she is doing. The gentleman, however, refuses to believe him,
and scolds him right roundly for telling lies. The lady calls my lord to
her, and weeping more bitterly than ever, tries to coax him to remain.
Tarôkaja slyly fills another cup, with ink and water, and substitutes it for
the cup of clear water. She, all unconcerned, goes on smearing her face.
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