HONZO. Come, come, Tonami. Why did you not make up an answer? Our lord is naturally of a hasty temper; and as to high words, they are common enough among women and children. It is the duty of our swords to put an end to our lives if this little tongue of ours makes a slip of one or half a word. Are you not a samurai’s wife? Could you not recollect yourself in such a trivial matter? Be more careful. But, daughter, when you went to worship in my lady’s place, was there not such a rumour? Or was there? What, there was not? I thought so. Why, it is nothing to speak of. Very well, I will go at once and see my lady and set her mind at ease. RECITATIVE. And as he rises to go, the officer on duty enters. OFFICER. Master Oboshi Yuranosuke’s son, Master Oboshi Rikiya, has come. HONZO. Ha, I suppose he comes as a messenger from Lord Hangwan to make arrangements for the entertainment of the guests. Show him in. Receive the message, Tonase, and deliver it to our lord. The messenger is Rikiya, our daughter Konami’s betrothed husband. Entertain him. I will see my lady. RECITATIVE. With these words he goes in; and Tonami comes close to her daughter. TONASE. Dear Konami, your father is always stiff-mannered; but I thought he would tell you to receive the message. Instead of that, he says I am to receive it; in that he is of quite a different mind from me. You would like, I am sure, to see Rikiya and speak to him. Go and meet him in my place. What do you say, eh? RECITATION. Her mother repeats her question; but her only answer is the maiden blush that suffuses her face, and her mother surmises its meaning. TONASE. Oh, how it hurts! My daughter, please, rub down my back. RECITATION. Konami is bewildered and assists her. TONASE. Well, you see, my anxiety since the morning has brought on my old complaint. I do not think I can in this state meet the messenger. Oh, how it pains me! I am sorry to trouble you; but you will hear the message and entertain the messenger. There is no getting round our lord and ailments. RECITATIVE. She slowly gets up. TONASE. Receive him well, daughter, but not too well, for fear you should forget the important message. I should like to see my future son-in-law; but......... RECITATIVE. But the lady, knowing her daughter’s feeling, goes within. Konami bows to her with gratitude. KONAMI. How grateful I am, mother! How I have longed to see my betrothed! RECITATIVE. But when she sees him, what shall she say? And her maiden heart palpitates [Illustration: Sitting male facing away] with joy and expectation. Presently enters Oboshi Rikiya. Even in walking on the mat, he observes the etiquette. He is yet in his seventeenth year; his forelock stands erect; with his family crest of _double-tomoe_ and his two swords, he looks fine and dignified. In his appearance he is worthy of his father Oboshi Yuranosuke. He sits down quietly. RIKIYA. I beg to deliver my message.