OKARU. I thought I had no tidings from Kanpei because he had started on his journey by making use of the money, the price of my service, and I have been angry because I thought he might have come to bid me farewell. Though I am wrong to say it, our father, sad as was his death, was still of ripe age; but Kanpei—to die when he was hardly thirty years old, how sad, how mortified he must have been and how must he have longed to see me! Why was I not allowed to see him? Not to abstain from animal food in memory of my father and husband, it was my evil fortune. Why should I wish to live? If I die by your hand, our mother will be offended with you. I will kill myself; and afterwards if my head or body be of service to you, make what use you please of it. Now farewell, dear brother. RECITATIVE. With these words she takes up the sword; but a voice cries out: A VOICE. Nay, wait a moment. (_Enter Yuranosuke_). RECITATIVE. He who stops her is Yuranosuke. Heiyemon is startled. Okaru cries out as Yuranosuke holds her hand. OKARU. Oh, let go. Let me die. RECITATIVE. He still holds her hands tightly. YURANOSUKE. You brother and sister, your conduct is admirable. My doubts are dispelled. The brother shall accompany me to the East, and the sister shall survive and offer prayers for his soul. OKARU. No, I will say those prayers as I accompany him to the other world. RECITATIVE. As she tries to snatch away the sword, he holds it tightly over her hand. YURANOSUKE. Though your husband Kanpei has joined the league, he has not killed a single enemy and will have no plea to make when he meets his lord in the other world. That plea shall be found here. RECITATIVE. And he thrusts the sword which Okaru still holds between the mats through the floor, and Kudayu, whose shoulder is pierced as he hides under it, writhes with pain. YURANOSUKE. Drag him out. RECITATIVE. Instantly Heiyemon jumps off the verandah upon the ground and drags out by force the blood-stained Kudayu. HEIYEMON. What, Kudayu? Well, you are rightly served. RECITATIVE. He drags him forward and throws him down before Yuranosuke, who catches him by the hair ere he can rise and pulls him towards him.