"Leaving the band, we went up a few steps and found ourselves in the house. I saw two women, whom Nagato awkwardly saluted, turning his back to them as he did so. I hastily shut my eyes and bowed to the wall. But I managed to half open one eye again, prompted by curiosity. There were a young girl and an old woman, probably her mother. "'Take us first,' said the latter; 'you shall rub my husband later.' "She then squatted on the floor and bared her back. I foresaw that the old woman would fall to my lot, and that I must certainly play the part of shampooer. Nagato was lost in salutations. "'Ah! ah! ah!' he mumbled, as inferiors do when saluting a person of high rank. "I began to rub the old lady violently, and she uttered lamentable groans; I struggled bravely to resist the laugh which again rose in my throat and nearly choked me. The girl had uncovered one shoulder, modestly, as if we had had eyes. "'It is there,' she said; 'I gave myself a blow, and the doctor said that it would do me good to be rubbed.' "Nagato began to rub the young girl with amazing gravity; but all at once he seemed to forget his rôle of blind man. "'What beautiful hair you have!' said he. 'There's one thing certain: if you were to adopt the headdress of noble women, you would not have to resort, as they do, to all sorts of devices for lengthening your hair.' "The young girl gave a shriek and turned round; she saw Nagato's very wide open eyes fixed upon her. "'Mother!' she exclaimed, 'these are no blind men!' "The mother fell flat on the floor; and surprise taking away all her senses, she made no effort to rise, but began to utter yells of rare shrillness. "The father ran in in a fright. "As for me, I gave free vent to my mirth, and rolled on the ground, unable to hold in longer. To my great surprise, the Prince of Nagato threw himself at the workman's feet. "'Forgive us,' said he. 'Your daughter and I want to be married; and as I have no money, I resolved to follow the custom of the country and carry her off, to avoid wedding expenses. According to custom also, you must forgive us, after playing the stem parent for a little while.' "'I marry that man!' said the girl; 'but I don't know him in the least.' "'You think my daughter would take a scamp like you fora husband?" cried the father. 'Be off! out of the house in a trice, if you don't want to be acquainted with my fists.' "The sound of his angry voice began to attract a crowd before the house. Nagato gave a long-drawn whistle. "'Will you go!' cried the man of the people, scarlet with rage; and, amidst the most vulgar insults and objurgations, he raised his fist upon Nagato. "'Do not strike one who will soon be your son,' said the Prince, catching him by the arm. "'You, my son! You will sooner see the snow on Fusiyama blossom with flowers.' "'I swear that you shall be my father-in-law,' said the Prince, throwing his arms round the fellow's waist.