Miné, tossing off her _geta_ on the garden stones, and springing up with pretty pink feet upon the matted floor, came forward. "I am but a girl," she said timidly, "and, my father tells me, foolish. Yet from mouths of fools sometimes come words of wisdom. You can die, you say. Is not death the last resource, when all else has failed, for escaping from earthly woe? Masago, the dear Abbess, is worshipped for miles around. Prejudiced though you are, you have nought to say but praise of her goodness and her piety. Sampei is her son--nay, I will speak--and who should know a son better than his mother? In your grief you are prone to believe evil, and speak harsh and unjust words of him you know not. Seek him out, and implore his intercession with his brother. Seek out the lady O'Tei--an angel come to earth. She, the chatelaine, is now at the castle yonder. Entreat her help as well, and sure betwixt the two that stony heart shall melt." Miné blushed like a tea-rose at finding herself thus boldly haranguing a trio of grizzled pates, and flinging herself down by her mother's side in sudden bashfulness, buried her hot face in her bosom. "Buddha is not asleep," observed Madame Koshiu, with conviction, as she stroked her daughter's head. "Verily the child speaks wisely words that are put into her mouth." "We will follow her counsel," assented the marvelling Zembei, "for the gods--whose names be praised--are with us. Urged by his brother and his wife, my lord will surely give us the lives of the devoted elders. We--Rokubei and Zembei--will journey ourselves to Ki[^y]oto, and make another effort. Learn, O stubborn Koshiu, a lesson from thy child, who has given us the counsel that we needed." The farmer shook his head. "Cursed be the tree of Hojo, root and branch!" he cried. "Its fruit is crime, its blossom, wickedness. My lord Sampei and my lord No-Kami are scourges both! Go your ways, and do as you think fit. I tell you your errand will be vain." Was there ever any one so obstinate as this sturdy Koshiu?--a man who could only rail instead of bestowing help. The two elders were about to upbraid him for his mulishness, for they, like others, had naught but admiration for Sampei, when, raising his hand, he said,--