Stunned by the force of her great purity, he did not lessen his persistence, but delayed from time to time a more cowardly intention; finally there dawned within him the impulse of a purer love, which gradually overcame his weakness and made it possible to find a better way. He decided now to hold her in reality as a servant, and on the seventh day after the birth of the child, himself took it, and carrying it to Kinsan, placed it in her arms and told her that it should be her charge. It was a fine, large boy, the eyes and mould revealing its mother's heritage, and as Tetsutaisho gave Kinsan the baby, he bade her call it Sodachinojoi, and say nothing more. Then he said to her: "You have refused me; now you must serve mine. So long as you do that, and do it well, and as I bid, you shall know no penalty, though it is a grave sin to oppose your master's will. And when you have done, I shall trust to gratitude for what you have so persistently withheld. Go now, and beware of the inquisitive." "My heart bids me do my part," said she, in answer. "This burden is even more, it is a blessing. I pray for strength that I may serve well and please much. The reward is already mine." "Then you would mock me, heigh? Bring me the child--no; I shall send you both to the dungeon," and he arose and stood meditating. "I pray you, sir, send me, but save the child. It is innocent, and it has a mother. I am unworthy, yet I will pay the penalty. Pray, sir?" He did not answer at once, but stood regarding her; he may have marvelled at her charity, possibly he was touched by her tenderness. At all events he moved closer, and whispered: "Kinsan, I truly love you." She did not hear him. Her eyes rested on the child in her arms. She was thinking of a mother's sorrow, possibly a child's fate. He came close up and would have touched her had she not shrunk from him and cried: "I do not comprehend. It is not his voice. It is not true." "Aha," said Tetsutaisho to himself, as he leaned back in silence. "It is not I that she disdains, but it is another whom she loves." Then after a while he addressed her saying: "Kinsan, I trust you will pardon my incivility. I did not mean to be rude, though I may deserve your censure. And now that it is done, I do not want you to feel that it is my heart that is wrong. Do me the honour to serve this child, and Tetsutaisho shall see to it that the reward be as you desire. I leave you free to say as much, if it is your pleasure." "The honour is mine to serve. The pleasure, yours to grant. And is there any higher?" asked she, confident and earnest. Tetsutaisho soon after withdrew and left Kinsan to begin her new duties with a lighter heart and a better confidence. She felt with renewed hope that there was still a chance for the right. And now that her hands were no longer idle, she must drive away despair and set about with fresh courage to make much happiness out of the little that life offered.