GIHEI. Ha, ha! You think to question me by taking a hostage as you might a woman or a child. No, a man to the marrow is Amakawaya Gihei; he will not, even for the love of his child, confess what he does not know. I know nothing, nothing whatever. I say I know nothing, and no torture of earth or hell shall make me confess. If you think me hateful, kill my child before my own eyes, yes, kill him. POLICEMEN. What a stubborn fellow he is! You, who furnished the spears, guns, and coats of mail, forty-six in number all differently marked, can we let you say you know nothing? If you will not confess, we will cut you by inches or slice you still thinner. What do you say? GIHEI. Oh, that is fine. I will be sliced. It is the merchant’s business to stock and sell not only weapons, but everything else from the ceremonial hats of the huge and samurai to the straw shoes of waiting-women and other servants; and if you think it suspicious and make inquiry, there will be no one in Japan secure from inquisition. If I am cut by inches or bound with a three-inch rope, I shall lose my life for my trade and I do not grudge it. Come, kill me. Stab my son before my eyes. Will you cut me by inches first from my arm or from my breast? Take your choice of my shoulder-blade and my spine. RECITATIVE. He thrusts his body and limbs before them. GIHEI. You shall see that my spirit is not to be changed by the love of my child. RECITATIVE. He seems from his look to be bent upon strangling his son; but a voice calls to him. A VOICE. Do not be over-hasty, Master GIHEI. Wait, wait a moment. RECITATIVE. From out the long box comes Oboshi Yuranosuke Yoshikane; and upon seeing him, Gihei is amazed. The policemen all throw away their truncheons and cords and sit down far below him. Yuranosuke sits straight and puts his hands on the floor before Gihei.