KANPEI. I am truly grateful for my father-in-law’s kindness. But I, too, have had a piece of good fortune; of that, however, I will speak later on. I do not think we should hand over my wife before her father comes home. [Image: Man seated with a wrapped bundle] ICHIMONJIYA. And why? KANPEI. Well, the bond gives you the parent’s authority. Though I do not doubt that you paid half the money last night..... ICHIMONJIYA. Here, I am Ichimonjiya who am known all over Kyoto and Osaka and have in my employ girls enough to make an island of Amazons. Do you think I would say that I had paid the money when I hadn’t? There is still another thing that I can tell you for certain. When I saw your old man wrap the fifty _ryo_ in his towel and put it in his bosom, I said to him it was risky, and gave him a pouch to put it in and hang round his neck. The pouch was made of a piece of cloth of the same pattern as this garment of mine; and no doubt, he will presently come home with it round his neck. KANPEI. What do you say? A pouch of the same pattern as the dress you wear? ICHIMONJIYA. Yes. KANPEI. Of the same pattern? ICHIMONJIYA. Is not that certain proof? RECITATIVE. Upon hearing this, Kanpei is amazed. After looking around him, he stealthily takes out the pouch from his sleeve; as he gazes at it, he sees it is of silk and cotton and does not differ a jot in pattern from the man’s dress. Great Heavens! Was it then his father that he killed with his gun last night? He feels a far greater pang than if his own heart had been pierced by a bullet. Ignorant of his feelings, his wife asks him. OKARU. Come, my husband, do not look so restless; but decide for us whether I am to go or not. KANPEI. Oh, yes. Since he speaks so convincingly, I fear you must go. OKARU. What, without seeing father? KANPEI. Yes. I saw your father for a moment this morning; I do not know when he will come home. OKARU. Did you then see father? Why did you not say so before, instead of making mother and me anxious about him? RECITATIVE. Ichimonjiya takes advantage of the position. ICHIMONJIYA. Doubt a man, they say, only after inquiring seven times. Since we know the old man’s whereabouts now, we all feel at ease. If you still resist, we must appeal to law. But it is now settled, I am glad to see. Mother and husband, when you come to worship at Rokujo, pay me a visit. Come, get into the palanquin. OKARU. Yes, yes. I am going now, Kanpei. My two aged parents you will have to support, and father, especially, for he is always ailing, and you will please take great care of him. RECITATIVE. Unaware of her father’s death, she, poor girl, consigns him to her husband’s care. Had he not better, thinks Kanpei, tell the whole truth? No, he cannot do it before others, and he bears in silence the anguish of his heart. MOTHER. Your husband would like to have parting words with you, but I suppose he fears it might upset you.