The Secretary · Fortleben

The dew beneath the wild bush-clover that woos the wicker fence already held the colour of autumn. People vied with one another to hasten home. Upstairs and downstairs of the Umeya, which holds the first place for fine scenery among the hot springs of Komatsu and had been so thronged and merry, now, drawn to sadness by the deer-whistles that reached across the ridge, the tread of feet passing to and fro along the corridors grew faintly lonely. Rickshaw after rickshaw, most of them laden with travelling bags and travellers, sped toward the station, a ri (over two miles) away. The maids, grown fond and familiar after so many trays carried in and teas poured, watched them go and lingered a while. The valley stream that winds before the house flowed far away with a murmuring rush. Was it a thrush that sang in the forest beyond?

笆まがきに媚こぶる野萩のはぎの下露もはや秋の色なり。人々は争うて帰りを急ぎぬ。小松の温泉いでゆに景勝の第一を占めて、さしも賑にぎわい合えりし梅屋の上も下も、尾越しに通う鹿笛しかぶえの音ねに哀れを誘われて、廊下を行ゆき交かう足音もやや淋さびしくなりぬ。車のあとより車の多くは旅鞄たびかばんと客とを載せて、一里先なる停車場すていしょんを指して走りぬ。膳ぜんの通い茶の通いに、久しく馴なれ睦むつみたる婢おんなどもは、さすがに後影を見送りてしばし佇立たたずめり。前を遶めぐる渓河たにがわの水は、淙々そうそうとして遠く流れ行く。かなたの森に鳴くは鶇つぐみか。

The mountain fastness that once had known no means for its morning and evening livelihood has gained, with the summer visitors year by year, an unlooked-for increase of smoke, and tiled roofs show here and there through the leaves. Clouds lay along the ridge, rising from the roots of a pine of surpassing height to trail above the ivy that clings to the crags. Ranges standing on and on hide the sky of the market town, and the thousand streaks of waterfalls tumbling in rivalry toss abroad as it were threads of silver. To the north, as far as sight reached, deer-fences stood stark and clappers ran in a far line, and the mountain paddies looked busy with autumn. To the west the water shows its far destination, fold on fold of mountains, fold on fold of cloud, birds fly high and the leaves turn of themselves. One or two grass-cutting children, rich at heart, walk their horses slowly and sing after one another in blithe tunes, even now climbing the skirts of the outer hills.

朝夕のたつきも知らざりし山中やまなかも、年々の避暑の客に思わぬ煙けぶりを増して、瓦葺かわらぶきの家やも木の葉越しにところどころ見ゆ。尾上おのえに雲あり、ひときわ高き松が根に起りて、巌いわおにからむ蔦つたの上にたなびけり。立ち続く峰々は市いちある里の空を隠して、争い落つる滝の千筋ちすじはさながら銀糸を振り乱しぬ。北は見渡す限り目も藐はるに、鹿垣ししがききびしく鳴子なるこは遠く連なりて、山田の秋も忙がしげなり。西ははるかに水の行衛ゆくえを見せて、山幾重雲幾重、鳥は高く飛びて木の葉はおのずから翻りぬ。草苅くさかりの子の一人二人、心豊かに馬を歩ませて、節面白く唄うたい連れたるが、今しも端山はやまの裾すそを登り行きぬ。

The waves of Lake Ogi were very still. Faintly to be seen were leaf-boats, coaxed by the storm, slipping to hide behind the islands. Just then, brushing aside the wind in the pines, the exquisite sound of a koto rose from a room on the second floor. The newly arrived guest in the detached pavilion inclined his ear.

荻おぎの湖この波はいと静かなり。嵐あらしの誘う木葉舟の、島隠れ行く影もほの見ゆ。折しも松の風を払って、妙たえなる琴の音は二階の一間に起りぬ。新たに来たる離座敷はなれの客は耳を傾かたぶけつ。

The voice that joined the strings overbore the waters choking between the rocks and poured forth, with practised ease, a phrase in the Ikuta manner, and the guest, moved more deeply still, let his tobacco lie and looked up toward that quarter before he knew it. The shoji stood barred between them, and the pines, heedless, cast Kōrin-style shadows across it. The guest turned his gaze as it was toward the valley below, yet as though his ear were still caught by the music he twirled his beard and did not stir. Like jewels spilling in disorder the hands on the koto quickened of a sudden, then flowed again, and after them rose a clear and gliding voice. The guest looked up toward that quarter once more.

糸につれて唄い出いだす声は、岩間に咽むせぶ水を抑えて、巧みに流す生田いくたの一節ひとふし、客はまたさらに心を動かしてか、煙草をよそに思わずそなたを見上げぬ。障子は隔ての関を据すえて、松は心なく光琳風こうりんふうの影を宿せり。客はそのまま目を転じて、下の谷間を打ち見やりしが、耳はなお曲に惹ひかるるごとく、髭ひげを撚ひねりて身動きもせず。玉は乱れ落ちてにわかに繁き琴の手は、再び流れて清く滑なめらかなる声は次いで起れり。客はまたもそなたを見上げぬ。

poured forth, with practised ease, a phrase in the Ikuta manner: The Ikuta school is one of the two main schools of koto playing. The phrase marks the singing as trained and fashionable.
the pines, heedless, cast Kōrin-style shadows across it: Korin refers to Ogata Korin, known for bold pine and flower designs. Pines casting Korin-style shadows likens the shoji light to such a painting.

Stopping a maid who passed along the corridor and asking who it was that sang, he had her look him in the face and laugh in a strange way. Then she must indeed be some beauty. When he pressed her again, asking who, she would say only that she did not know, and already flushed to the brow she ran off toward the maids' room. No doubt she would make a tale of it with one or another of her fellows. The guest smiled as he watched her go, then stepped out to the veranda edge above the water and leaned against a chair beside him. The player of the koto still sent forth a beautiful voice, unsparing.

廊下を通う婢おんなを呼び止めて、唄の主は誰たれと聞けば、顔を見て異おかしく笑う。さては大方美しき人なるべし。何者と重ねて問えば、私は存じませぬとばかり、はや岡焼おかやきの色を見せて、溜室たまりの方へと走り行きぬ。定めて朋輩ほうばいの誰彼に、それと噂うわさの種なるべし。客は微笑ほほえみて後を見送りしが、水に臨める縁先に立ち出いでて、傍かたえの椅子いすに身を寄せ掛けぬ。琴の主はなお惜しげもなく美しき声を送れり。

The guest was a secretary in one of the ministries, Okumura Tatsuya by name, a man on the rise, who had begged official leave for an unexpected illness and, his health at last restored, had come this very day to the Umeya to nurse himself onward. His glittering dress and his splendid beard brought the master flying out from the front desk, and from under a reverent bow he was led to this detached chamber, richest of all in prospect. His face was that of a man of thirty or so, though it looked older still, and within his keen eyes there was an unaccountable amiability, which one of the maids, case hardened to guests, had found out, till it was on every mouth and made sport for her friends. Tatsuya was by nature quick to make himself at home, and in a moment he had become a gentleman with whom none need stand on ceremony. At a loss before so lavish a tip, the master hastily changed his dress and came out to pay his respects, and when he heard 'the Secretary' he revered him only the more.

客はさる省の書記官に、奥村辰弥たつやとて売出しの男、はからぬ病に公の暇を乞こい、ようやく本に復したる後の身を養わんとて、今日しもこの梅屋に来たれるなり。燦爛きらびやかなる扮装いでたちと見事なる髭ひげとは、帳場より亭主を飛び出さして、恭うやうやしき辞儀の下より最も眺望ちょうぼうに富みたるこの離座敷はなれに通されぬ。三十前後の顔はそれよりも更ふけたるが、鋭き眼の中うちに言われぬ愛敬あいきょうのあるを、客擦ずれたる婢おんなの一人は見つけ出して口々に友の弄なぶりものとなりぬ。辰弥は生得馴るるに早く、咄嗟とっさの間に気の置かれぬお方様となれり。過分の茶代に度を失いたる亭主は、急ぎ衣裳いしょうを改めて御挨拶ごあいさつに罷まかり出でしが、書記官様と聞くよりなお一層敬い奉りぬ。

The guest was a secretary in one of the ministries: A secretary in a Meiji ministry held an elite bureaucratic post, with rank that impressed old-fashioned ears. That is why Zenpei fusses over the title.

The koto presently brought its piece to an end, and quiet voices in talk within were faintly heard, uncertain. Tatsuya too was now gazing into the prospect spread before him, but his heart was already elsewhere. Just then a shoji opened with a rush, as if one within had risen to come out. Tatsuya's ear was quickest to catch it, and he turned. There at the rail stood one near fifty, full and round of face, at a glance a hale old man. Grown stout past all trace of bone, for all the world a Hotei, the squat laughing god, in a square sleeved robe, he turned with an amused face back toward the inside of the shoji, and at the end of some remark addressed to him threw his body back and laughed. Of the one within, no shadow could be seen.

琴はやがて曲を終りて、静かに打ち語らう声のたしかならず聞ゆ。辰弥も今は相対あいむかう風色ふうしょくに見入りて、心は早やそこにあらず。折しも障子はさっと開きて、中なる人は立ち出でたるがごとし。辰弥の耳は逸早いちはやく聞きつけて振り返りぬ。欄干てすりにあらわれたるは五十路いそじに近き満丸顔の、打見にも元気よき老人なり。骨も埋もるるばかり肥え太りて、角袖かくそで着せたる布袋ほていをそのまま、笑えましげに障子の中うちへ振り向きしが、話しかくる一言の末に身を反そらせて打ち笑いぬ。中なる人の影は見えず。

for all the world a Hotei, the squat laughing god, in a square sleeved robe: Hotei is one of the Seven Lucky Gods, shown as a fat, laughing monk. His bulk and laugh mark Zenpei throughout.

As if to mock him, Tatsuya left his chair, stepped down into the garden, and went out as he was to the riverbed to the east. Among the pines that crept across the earth, jumbled standing rocks had been hewn smooth and made, as nature offered, into seats to be seen here and there. The water that struck rock and broke on rock and pressed on white and blue entered into a thicket of green bamboo, and appeared again before a distant hill. The hanging bridge thrown across the stream laid black timbers over brushwood, and twined them about, uncertainly, with wisteria vines. Crossing the bridge, where the hill had been cut open, there was a little fall dropped as if without design. Climbing by a path left as it was, only just brushing aside the dew on the thorns, as if this were the way woodcutters should enter, halfway up, where pine and maple mingled their branches, there stood an arbour, clean to the very sight. The mountains opened of a sudden, and Lake Ogi, like a mirror, lay before his eyes.

われを嘲あざけるごとく辰弥は椅子を離れ、庭に下おり立ちてそのまま東の川原に出でぬ。地を這はい渡る松の間に、乱れ立つ石を削りなして、おのずからなる腰掛けとしたるがところどころに見ゆ。岩を打ち岩に砕けて白く青く押し流るる水は、一叢ひとむら生おうる緑竹の中うちに入りて、はるかなる岡の前にあらわれぬ。流れに渡したる掛橋は、小柴こしばの上に黒木を連ねて、おぼつかなげに藤蔓ふじづるをからみつけたり。橋を渡れば山を切り開きて、わざとならず落しかけたる小滝あり。杣そまの入るべき方かたとばかり、わずかに荊棘けいきょくの露を払うて、ありのままにしつらいたる路を登り行けば、松と楓樹もみじの枝打ち交わしたる半腹に、見るから清らなる東屋あずまやあり。山はにわかに開きて鏡のごとき荻の湖は眼の前に出でぬ。

Spreading a round straw mat, Tatsuya rested his body, so soon wearied after his illness. The single block of the Umeya that faced him, with the mountain behind and the water before, was built with a care that was very fine. Chancing to fix his eyes upon that room on the second floor, Tatsuya perceived something more. Leaning against the thrown-open shoji stood a maiden, turned this way. She must be the mistress of the singing, Tatsuya thought at once.

円座を打ち敷きて、辰弥は病後の早くも疲れたる身を休めぬ。差し向いたる梅屋の一棟ひとむねは、山を後に水を前に、心を籠こめたる建てようのいと優なり。ゆくりなく目を注ぎたるかの二階の一間に、辰弥はまたあるものを認めぬ。明け放したる障子に凭よりて、こなたを向きて立てる一人の乙女おとめあり。かの唄の主ぬしなるべしと辰弥は直ちに思いぬ。

Her face could not be well seen for the distance, but the long pale face was surpassingly white, and her slender standing form was the more worth seeing. Idly looking up this way, as if startled to find one gazing hard at her, she hastily hid herself within the room. Tatsuya at last went down his way.

顔は隔たりてよくも見えねど、細面の色は優すぐれて白く、すらりとしたる立姿はさらに見よげなり。心ともなくこなたを打ち仰ぎて、しきりにわれを見る人のあるにはッとしたるごとく、急がわしく室へやの中に姿を隠しぬ。辰弥もついに下くだり行けり。

Though the days at a spa are long, noon had come at last. Having finished the two or three newspapers that had just arrived, Tatsuya had changed into the inn yukata to go to the bath and had stepped out into the broad corridor of the main house, when coming from the opposite way toward the foot of the stairs, passing him by, was one wiping with a steaming wet towel a neck smooth-drawn as jade. It was the maiden. That is she, Tatsuya marked at once. As he had fancied, her figure was beautiful beyond measure. With no adorning, a hundred native graces took a deeper lustre from the colour after bathing, and the stray hairs touching her snow-warm cheeks were bewitching beyond telling. A faint half-dimple, eyes stirring with a feeling they knew not how, a gentle bearing not to be passed over — Tatsuya stood a while unable to move.

湯治場の日は長けれどやがて昼にもなりぬ。今しも届きたる二三の新聞を読み終りて、辰弥は浴室にと宿の浴衣ゆかたに着更きかえ、広き母屋おもやの廊下に立ち出でたる向うより、湯気の渦巻うずまく濡手拭ぬれてぬぐいに、玉を延べたる首筋を拭いながら、階段のもとへと行違いに帰る人あり。乙女なり。かの人ぞと辰弥は早くも目をつけぬ。思いしごとく姿はきわめて美し。つくろわねどもおのずからなる百ももの媚こびは、浴後の色にひとしおの艶えんを増して、後おくれ毛の雪暖かき頬ほおに掛かれるも得ならずなまめきたり。その下萌したもえの片笑靨かたえくぼのわずかに見えたる、情を含む眼のさりとも知らず動きたる、たおやかなる風采ものごしのさらに見過ごしがてなる、ああ、辰弥はしばし動き得ず。

Just then, towel in hand likewise, slowly coming down the stairs was that Hotei man he had seen a while before. The maiden, just starting up, looked back at him. "Oh Father, in again? No let-up, is there," she laughed with a guiltless laugh. The sweetness of that smiling face was beyond words.

折からこれも手拭を提げて、ゆるゆる二階を下り来るは、先ほど見たる布袋のその人、登りかけたる乙女は振り仰ぎて、おや父様、またお入浴はいりなさるの。幕なしねえ。と罪なげに笑う。笑顔えがおの匂においは言わん方なし。

"Father and daughter, she a peerless beauty, Tokyo people," Tatsuya repeated to himself as he went on to the bath. Coming after was master Hotei. Opening the right and left sliding doors of a bath newly fitted up at the upper end, the two went in together. At once was heard Tatsuya's voice, speaking to him without reserve.

親子、国色こくしょく、東京のもの、と辰弥は胸に繰り返しつつ浴場へと行きぬ。あとより来るは布袋殿なり。上手かみてに一つ新しく設しつらえたる浴室の、右と左の開ひらき扉とびらを引き開けて、二人はひとしく中うちに入りぬ。心も置かず話しかくる辰弥の声は直ちに聞えたり。

Before long the two came out wrapped in the rising steam, already talking together with easy openness. Among spa people, quick to be friendly, Tatsuya was quickest at such things. As they parted for their rooms, master Hotei left this word behind, "Do come round a little to amuse me. I am at a loss with dullness." "To my side too, by all means," Tatsuya answered without lagging in courtesy, bending lightly at the waist.

ほどもなく立ち昇る湯気に包まれて出で来たりし二人は、早や打ち解けて物言い交わす中となりぬ。親しみやすき湯治場の人々の中にも、かかることに最も早きは辰弥なり。部屋へと二人は別れ際ぎわに、どうぞチトお遊びにおいで下され。退屈で困りまする。と布袋殿は言葉を残しぬ。ぜひ私の方へも、と辰弥も挨拶に後れず軽く腰を屈かがめつ。

Thus Tatsuya learned that Hotei was Miyoshi Zenpei by name, and in passing that his daughter was Mitsuyo, the youngest child and his treasured one. Miyoshi was a man of wealth he had heard tell of. Good. Very good indeed. For the days ahead to be idly spent, one more solace for the heart is one to the good. Beautiful prey. Puffing his cigar at ease, he thought after a while, and is not the rich man a fine thing too. Let this moment not be lost. He smiled to himself and breathed out smoke again.

かくして辰弥は布袋の名の三好善平みよしぜんぺいなることを知りぬ。娘は末の子の光代みつよとて、秘蔵のものなる由も事のついでに知りぬ。三好とは聞き及びたる資産家なり。よし。大いによし。あだに費やすべきこの後の日数に、心慰みの一つにても多かれ。美しき獲物ぞ。とのどかに葉巻シガーを燻くゆらせながら、しばらくして、資産家もまた妙ならずや。あわれこの時を失わじ。と独り笑み傾かたぶけてまた煙けぶりを吐き出しぬ。

Clouds over the peaks flew chasing one another. Pines and far mountains were lost to sight. Rain coming. The voices of birds grew ever shriller.

峰の雲は相追うて飛べり。松も遠山も見えずなりぬ。雨か。鳥の声のうたたけわしき。

After half a day at go they had opened their hearts to each other, and Zenpei was above all delighted to have won Tatsuya. The very title — secretary in such a ministry, of such senior rank — rang splendidly in old-fashioned ears, and to converse familiarly with such a man he counted as credit to himself, so no sooner visited than he returned the visit at once, wishing only to grow still closer. "He is a man of talent. A very considerable man of talent," he praised over and over, "and that absence of pride in him, that is grand. The interest of his talk. His pleasant way with people," admiring him point by point, till at last he muttered to himself that Tsunao and the like could in no way come up to him. Mitsuyo had been listening at his side, but "Even so, that Tsunao-san is younger and more refined, calm and high of spirit, and far, far nicer than that gentleman," she said with decision, pressing forward on her knees. "Ho, that was not for your ears." Zenpei broke into a laugh, and "Oh, I did not say it for any such reason. I only said it because it is so," she said, her face already tinged a faint pink, "horrid Father," untying and retying the cord of her sash.

半日の囲碁に互いの胸を開きて、善平はことに辰弥を得たるを喜びぬ。何省書記官正何位という幾字は、昔気質むかしかたぎの耳に立ち優れてよく響き渡り、かかる人に親しく語らうを身の面目とすれば、訪とわれたるあとよりすぐに訪い返して、ひたすらになお睦むつまじからんことを願えり。才物だ。なかなかの才物だとしきりに誉ほめ称そやし、あの高ぶらぬところがどうも豪えらい。談話はなしの面白さ。人接ひとづきのよさと一々に感服したる末は、何として、綱雄つなおなどのなかなか及ぶところでないと独ひとり語ごつ。光代は傍に聞いていたりしが、それでもあの綱雄さんは、もっと若くって上品で、沈着おちついていて気性が高くって、あの方よりはよッぽどようござんすわ。と調子に確かめて膝ひざ押し進む。ホイ、お前の前で言うのではなかった。と善平は笑い出せば、あら、そういうわけで言ったのではありませぬ。ただこうだと言って見たばかりですよ。と顔は早くも淡紅うすくれないを散らして、いやな父様だよ。と帯締めの打紐うちひもを解きつ結びつ。

"Speaking of Tsunao, he writes from his travels that he will stop here on his way home, and you must be glad of that," Zenpei began to tease, and "There you go again. I know nothing about it now," Mitsuyo said, whirling her back to him, angry in the way of a daughter.

綱雄といえば旅行先から、帰りがけにここへ立ち寄ると言ってよこしたが、お前はさぞ嬉うれしかろうなとからかい出す善平、またそのようなことを、もう私は存じませぬ、と光代はくるりと背後うしろを向いて娘らしく怒りぬ。

Laughing, Zenpei went on, "But when Tsunao comes, the two of you will band together and set upon me, I suppose. To be lorded over still more than this I cannot bear. Shall I run away to Okumura-san's rooms? Thinking you have a backer behind you, you are grown quite bold," and gave her back a little prod with his pipe, and laughed aloud in solitary delight.

善平は笑いながら、や、しかし綱雄が来たらば、二人で同腹ぐるになっておれをやり込めるであろうな。この上なお威張られてはたまらぬ。おれは奥村さんのところへでも逃げて行こうか。これ、後楯うしろだてがついていると思って、大分強いなと煙管きせるにちょっと背中を突きて、ははははと独り悦に入る。

Mitsuyo turned back and looked into his face with an air of complaint. "Father, why do you favour Okumura-san so?" "Why? What do you mean by that? I praise him because he is worth praising," her father said, knocking out his tobacco. Her face took on a look of having something in mind. "But still, he is a stranger, is he not?" "Hm, I see. It vexes you that I do not favour Tsunao, is that it? Quite right, indeed it is. Oh, Tsunao is a splendid fellow. As you say, young and refined, and what was it now, yes, calm and high of spirit, and if you want still more, deep in learning and steady in hand and handsome and upright in conduct. Ah, I am worn out. A young man without a single fault to be found."

光代は向き直りて、父様はなぜそう奥村さんを御贔負ごひいきになさるの。と不平らしく顔を見る。なぜとはどういう心だ。誉ほめていいから誉めるのではないか。と父親てておやは煙草を払はたく。それだっても、他人ではありませぬか。と思いありげなる娘の顔。うむ、分った。綱雄を贔負せぬのが気に入らぬというのか。なるほどそれは御もっともの次第だ。いやもう綱雄は見上げた男さ。お前のいう通り若くて上品で、それから何だッけな、うむその沈着おちついていて気性が高くて、まだ入用ならば学問が深くて腕が確かで男前がよくて品行が正しくて、ああ疲労くたびれた、どこに一箇所落おちというものがない若者だ。

"Say plenty of such things, do. When Tsunao-san comes I shall tell on you, so there. You really are a hateful Father," Mitsuyo said, sulking more than ever. "Dear me, I have spoilt your good temper," Zenpei said, drawing the air pillow beside him toward him and laying himself on his side. "I should like to show Tsunao just how you look like that," with a teasing face still.

たんとそんなことをおっしゃいまし。綱雄さんが来たらば言いっつけて上げるからいい。ほんとに憎らしい父様だよ。と光代はいよいよむつかる。いやはや御機嫌ごきげんを損そこねてしもうた。と傍そばの空気枕まくらを引き寄せて、善平は身を横にしながら、そうしたところを綱雄に見せてやりたいものだ。となおも冷かし顔。

"Very well. Tease me as long as you like. With you like that, Father, who knows how ill you speak even of me behind my back. From now on I shall not take a word you say as true, so there. You do not love me at all, Father. That is why the other day at home you slipped away from me and went to the play. I bear a great grudge, so there."

ようございます。いつまでもお弄なぶりなさいまし。父様はね、そんな風でね、私なんぞのこともね、蔭ではどんなに悪く言っていらっしゃるか知れはしないわ。これからは私アもう、父様のおっしゃったことを真実ほんとうにしないからようござんす。一体父様は私をそんなに可愛がって下さらないわ。それだからこの間家にいた時も、私を出し抜いてお芝居へいらしったんだわ。私は大変に恨むからいい。

"My, how fearful. To be hated by you makes me sleepy," Zenpei said, closing his eyes as he was. "Oh, you must not go to sleep. I shall be lonely," Mitsuyo said, drawing near and shaking him. "Have you apologized, then?" he said, opening his eyes a slit. "I have nothing to apologize for. It is you, Father, who should apologize."

はて恐こわいな。お前に恨まれたらば眠くなって来た。と善平はそのまま目を塞ふさぐ。あれお休みなさってはいやですよ。私は淋しくっていけませんよ。と光代は進み寄って揺り動かす。それなら謝罪あやまったか。と細く目を開けば、私は謝罪るわけはありませぬ。父様こそお謝罪りなさるがいいわ。

"Why, why?" Zenpei said, turning over onto his back, still letting a smile escape. "And yet, after tormenting me so much," Mitsuyo said, showing a little sharpness in her beautiful eyes. "What have I done to torment you? You are tormenting yourself alone. And indeed Tsunao is a fellow beyond compare."

なぜなぜと仰向あおのけに寝返りして善平はなお笑顔を洩もらす。それだっても、さんざん私をいやがらせておいて、と光代は美しき目に少し角を見せていう。おれが何をいやがらせるものか。お前が独りでいやがっているのだ。それはもう綱雄は実にこの上もない男さ。

"You speak of Tsunao-san again. Very well, Okumura-san is a splendid gentleman. I am truly, truly, truly, truly, truly, truly angry."

また綱雄さんのことをおっしゃる。それはもう奥村さんはえらいお方でございますよ。私ア真実ほんとに、真実に、真実に、真実に、真実に、真実に怒ったわ。

"Ha ha ha ha. So greatly 'truly' angry. There is no need to announce each anger one by one. Since you are angry truly, shall I laugh in lies, lies, lies?"

はははは。大そう「真実に」怒ったな。怒るのを一々断わるものもないものだ。お前は真実に怒ったから、おれは嘘うそに、嘘に、嘘に笑おうか。

"Do as you please. I... I... I am going home. I shall go home and tell Mother of this and have her avenge me. Tsunao-san and I have been passed over for Okumura-san. I want none of them now, neither the yuzen silk you had made for me the other day, nor that gold hairpin, nor sash, nor ring, nothing. Give them all, just as they are, to Okumura-san. That haori of yours you told me to have tailored and left at home as it was, I shall cut it wrong on purpose and leave it full of flaws, so there. And that Ninsei incense box you gave me before, saying my tea practice had improved, I shall dash against a stone and break it, so there."

何とでも御勝手になさいまし。私アもう……、私アもう……、私ア家へ帰りますよ。帰って母様にそう言って、この讐かたきを取ってもらいます。綱雄さんと私は奥村さんに見かえられました。私はもうこの間拵こしらえていただいた友禅もあの金簪きんかんも、帯も指環も何なんにもいりませぬ。皆みんなそッくり奥村さんにお上げなさいまし。この間仕立てろとおっしゃって、そのままにして家へ置いて来た父様のお羽織なんぞは、わざと裁ち損って疵きずだらけにして上げるからいいわ。それからその前お茶の手前が上がったとおっしゃって、下すったあの仁清にんせいの香合こうごうなんぞは、石へ打ぶつけて破こわしてしまうからいいわ。

that Ninsei incense box you gave me before: Ninsei is the Kyoto potter Nonomura Ninsei, famed for enamelled earthenware. A Ninsei incense box would be a treasured tea-utensil.

Zenpei paid it no mind at all, gazing at the ceiling with a beaming smile. "Ah, Tsunao is a truly splendid fellow."

善平はさらに掛構いもなく、天井を見てにこにこ笑いながら、いやもう綱雄は実にあっぱれな男さ。

"Again, again. Father, really." Mitsuyo rose to her feet and with a sudden backhand snatched the air pillow away, so that Zenpei's head dropped with a thump. "Oh, what a cruel thing to do," he said, wincing into a smile. "Serves you right!" Having seized it for good, Mitsuyo pulled out the stopper and with both hands had already squashed it half flat.

また、また、父様はもう、とばかり光代は立ちかかりて、いきなり逆手に枕をはずせば、すとんと善平は頭を落されて、や、ひどいことをすると顔をしかめて笑う。いい気味！　と光代は奪上とりあげ放しに枕の栓せんを抜き捨て、諸手もろてに早くも半ば押し潰つぶしぬ。

Left with no choice, Zenpei sat up. "Then shall I make tea to make peace? Bring out those dried sweets we brought." "I know nothing about that," Mitsuyo said, still ruffled, rising with the folded pillow in her arms. "I think I shall go to the bath." "Do not say that. Come, bring them out," he coaxed from below, whereupon, seizing her moment to strike a pose, she drew herself up haughtily. "I am going to the bath. Ask Okumura-san to bring them out for you."

よんどころなく善平は起き直りて、それでは仲直りに茶を点いれようか。あの持って来た干菓子を出してくれ。と言えば、知りませぬ。と光代はまだ余波を残して、私はお湯にでも参りましょうか。と畳みたる枕を抱えながら立ち上る。そんなことを言わずに、これ、出してくれよと下から出れば、ここぞという見得みえに勇み立ちて威丈高いたけだかに、私はお湯に参ります。奥村さんに出しておもらいなさいまし。

"Out for a walk?" It was Tatsuya, calling from behind. Mitsuyo started and looked back, and finding no way to slip off made her greeting prettily enough. "Is it not a fine view? Have you been down toward the lake yet?" he asked. "No, not yet. I have only just left the inn," she answered self-consciously, the words not coming smoothly and her face bowing of itself. "Then come with me and let us walk a little about. My spirits are clear today, and it is just the weather ordered for a stroll. Your father went out somewhere a while ago, did he not?" in his usual light tone.

御散歩ですか。と背後うしろより声をかくるは辰弥なり。光代は打ち驚きて振り返りしが、隠るることもならずほどよく挨拶すれば、いい景色ではありませぬか。あなた、湖水の方へ行ってごらんなされましたかと聞く。いえまだ、実は今宿を出ましたばかりで、と気を置けば言葉もすらりとは出でず、顔もおのずから差し俯向うつむかるるを、それならば御一しょに、ちとそこらを歩いて見ましょう。今日は気も晴々せいせいとして、散歩には誂あつらえ向きというよい天気ですなア。お父様とッさまは先刻どこへかお出かけでしたな。といつもの調子軽し。

"But Father will worry when he comes back, so I cannot go too far," said Mitsuyo, restless on her feet. "Why, from your room the whole of this ground is in sight. And you have me to attend you, though I grant I am a rather doubtful escort, but I mean to give you nothing to trouble yourself about. If you dislike it, however, there is no help for it."

ですが親父ちちが帰って来て案じるといけませんから、あまり遠くへは出られませぬ。と光代は浮足。なに、お部屋からそこらはどこもかしこも見通しです。それに私もお付き申しているから、と言っても随分怪しいものですが、まあまあお気遣きづかいのようなことは決してさせませんつもり、しかしおいやでは仕方がないが。

She could hardly say outright that she disliked it, and hung back. Tatsuya saw her unwillingness and went on lightly, "If I go plodding about alone I am soon weary and dull, and just as I was wishing for company you came here, that is your fate. It may trouble you, but do keep me company a little. In return I will grant you whatever unreasonable thing you ask," he said familiarly.

いやでござりますともさすがに言いかねて猶予ためらう光代、進まぬ色を辰弥は見て取りて、なお口軽に、私も一人でのそのそ歩いてはすぐに飽きてしまってつまらんので、相手欲しやと思っていたところへここにおいでなさったのはあなたの因果というもの、御迷惑でもありましょうが、まあ一しょに付き合って下さいな。そのかわりには私はまた、あなたのどんな無理でも聞きましょう。と親しげにいう。

Unable to refuse, Mitsuyo yielded at last. It was morning. The sky was clear as if its depth had been turned outward, the white clouds of the peaks with nowhere to go, the snow lingering on the high ridges all the more vivid, piled indigo before and congealed ink behind, and as they went among swaying pampas grass and wild chrysanthemums and valerian, the stones grew ever thicker and the pines ever finer, and the glittering face of the lake met their eyes at once.

否みかねて光代はついに従いぬ。時は朝なり。空は底を返したるごとく澄み渡りて、峰の白雲も行くにところなく、尾上おのえに残る高嶺たかねの雪はわけて鮮あざやかに、堆藍たいらん前にあり、凝黛ぎょうたい後にあり、打ち靡なびきたる尾花野菊女郎花おみなえしの間を行けば、石はようやく繁く松はいよいよ風情よく、灔耀えんようたる湖の影はたちまち目を迎えぬ。

Bent on winning her goodwill at every step, Tatsuya chose of set purpose to take the innocent part. From idle gossip of the world he passed to amusing things in fashion, leapt to the theatre and went to music, and spared no pains of every kind. Mitsuyo gave only answering replies, and never opened her mouth of herself.

どこまでもその歓心を買わんとて、辰弥は好んであどけなき方かたに身を置きぬ。たわいもなき浮世咄ばなしより、面白き流行のことに移り、芝居に飛び音楽に行きて、ある限りさまざまに心を尽しぬ。光代はただ受答えの返事ばかり、進んで口を開かんともせず。

"Shall I confess something odd?" Tatsuya said, smiling. "Apart from that time at Nasuno, how many times do you suppose I have heard your koto?" "There you go again," Mitsuyo said, stepping on ahead as if to escape, "oh, but just look. Have we not come to a fine view? That island is quite beyond words. Oh, how lovely!" And with that she made an end of the talk.

妙なことを白状しましょうか。と辰弥は微笑ほほえみて、私はあなたの琴を、この間の那須野なすののほかに、まあ幾度聞いたとお思いなさる。という。またそのようなことを、と光代は逃ぐるがごとく前へ出でしが、あれまあちょいと御覧なさいまし。いい景色のところへ来たではありませぬか。あの島の様子が何とも言われませんね。おう奇麗だ。と話を消してしまいぬ。

The famed reeds grew thick and close in their narrow place, and the wind in their upper leaves broke the ripples that came softly beating in. This was the strand of the lake. The peaks that stood in rivalry drowned their shadows whole, and a rowing boat far off pushed its way on across them. Pine islet and sundered rock, mountains shutting out the world and water clear for ever, fishermen's chants and water-chestnut songs, smoke-waves fading far, and the sky more vast still. Mitsuyo set herself upon a fallen tree and rested a while. The wind struck her powder and bore its bewitching scent to Tatsuya.

名にし負える荻はところ狭せく繁り合いて、上葉うわばの風は静かに打ち寄する漣さざなみを砕きぬ。ここは湖水の汀みぎわなり。争い立てる峰々は残りなく影を涵ひたして、漕こぎ行く舟は遠くその上を押し分けて行く。松が小島、離れ岩、山は浮世を隔てて水は長とこしなえに清く、漁唱菱歌ぎょしょうりょうか、煙波縹緲えんぱひょうびょうとして空はさらに悠ゆうなり。倒れたる木に腰打ち掛けて光代はしばらく休らいぬ。風は粉膩ふんじを撲うってなまめかしき香を辰弥に送れり。

"Let us go on. Father will be coming home by now," Mitsuyo said, rising. "There is nowhere here to rest at ease, and that is a pity," Tatsuya said, and left it to another time. Along the way Tatsuya spoke to her of one thing and another, but Mitsuyo gave only perfunctory answers and seemed to pay him no heed. Tatsuya too was plainly put out, and looked for all the world sunk in thought. The two walked on in silence.

参りましょう。親父ちちももう帰って来る時分でございます。と光代は立ち上りぬ。ここらはゆッくり休むところもなくっていけませんな。と辰弥もついにまたの折を期しぬ。道すがらも辰弥はさまざまに話しかけしが、光代はただかたばかりの返事のみして、深くは心を留めぬさまなり。見るから辰弥も気に染しまず、さすが思いに沈むもののごとし。二人は黙して歩みぬ。

At Mitsuyo's cry of "Oh!" Tatsuya lifted his downcast face, and saw Zenpei coming toward them with a strange man making straight for where they stood. "Tsunao-sama!" Mitsuyo cried, her face all at once alive, and ran straight toward him, saying as she ran, "When did you ever get here! You cannot know how I have waited! While you stayed away, Father did nothing but torment me." With a soft, cajoling glance at her father — "Father, I shall not lose to you now!" — she turned again to Tsunao, laughing: "Why did you not come sooner? It is too cruel. You care nothing for me, and that is horrid. And you have grown such a nasty beard—" She had got so far when, catching sight of Tatsuya's thick black beard as he came up beside her, she turned back in a flash: "Oh, forgive me! O-ho-ho-ho!" — her manner changed in an instant.

おや。という光代の声に辰弥は俯向きたる顔を上ぐれば、向うよりして善平とともに、見知らぬ男のこなたを指して来たりぬ。綱雄様と呼びかけたる光代の顔は見るから活き活きとして、直ちにそなたへと走り行きつつ、まあいついらっしゃったの、どんなに待っていましたか知れませんよ。あなたがおいでなさらないうちはね、父様がね、私をいじめてばッかりいるの。と嬌優こびまさる目に父を見て、父様、もう負けはしませんよ。と笑いながらまた綱雄に向い、なぜもっと早く来て下さらなかッたの。あんまりだわ。私なんぞのことはすこしもお構いなさらないからひどいわ。あらいやな髭ひげなんぞを生やして、と言いかけしがその時そこへ来たる辰弥の、髯ひげ黒々としたるに心づきて振り返りさまに、あら御免なさいましよ、おほほほほ、と打って変りたる素振りなり。

When Zenpei introduced him as "a kinsman of mine, Tōjō Tsunao," Tatsuya greeted him with his usual free and easy civility, but inwardly he was far from calm. Who was this pale, close-looking, queer fellow? And what to make of Mitsuyo's behaviour? "Or perhaps—" the suspicion came, but he let nothing show and kept a cheerful face to the last. Though Tsunao handled him with a haughtiness that seemed to brush him from the tip of his nose, and stung him again and again, Tatsuya, a man used to people, let it pass with an easy laugh; Tsunao showed no sign of meeting him, and without so much as a glance said, "Mitsuyo, I have brought you a keepsake. What do you think it is? Guess."

これは私の親戚しんせきのもので、東条綱雄と申すものです。と善平に紹介ひきあわされたる辰弥は、例の隔てなき挨拶をせしが、心の中は穏やかならず。この蒼白あおじろき、仔細しさいらしき、あやしき男はそもそも何者ぞ。光代の振舞いのなお心得ぬ。あるいは、とばかり疑いしが、色にも見せずあくまで快げに装いぬ。傲然ごうぜんとして鼻の先にあしらうごとき綱雄の仕打ちには、幾たびか心を傷つけられながらも、人慣れたる身はさりげなく打ち笑えど、綱雄はさらに取り合う気色けしきもなく、光代、お前に買って来た土産みやげがあるが、何だと思う。当てて見んか。と見向きもやらず。

Zenpei stood alone between them, bent on making the two men friends. Hearing the word secretary, Tsunao looked down on Tatsuya as a poor wretch adrift on the waves of the world; hearing the words a graduate of last year in philosophy, Tatsuya laughed to himself at a fool ready to bury a lifetime in the most roundabout empty theory. Zenpei, innocent to the last, took it for certain that they had conceived a respect for each other, and chuckled to himself with delight. "Do show me the keepsake quickly," Mitsuyo said, as if coaxing him.

善平は独り中に立ちて、ひたすら二人を親しからせんとしぬ。書記官と聞きたる綱雄は、浮世の波に漂わさるるこのあわれなる奴やっこと見下し、去年哲学の業を卒おえたる学士と聞きたる辰弥は、迂遠うえん極まる空理の中に一生を葬る馬鹿者かとひそかに冷笑あざわらう。善平はさらに罪もなげに、定めてともに尊敬し合いたることと、独りほくほく打ち喜びぬ。早くお土産を見せて下さいな。と甘えるごとく光代はいう。

"We cannot talk at ease here. Shall we go back to the inn and drink a cup together?" Zenpei proposed. "Most excellent," Tatsuya answered on the instant. Zenpei turned. "Tsunao, come along." Tsunao, coldly: "Yes, let us go."

ここでは落ちついて談話はなしも出来ぬ。宿へ帰って一献酌くもうではありませぬか。と言い出づる善平。最も妙ですな。と辰弥は言下に答えぬ。綱雄さあ行こうではないか。と善平は振り向きぬ。綱雄は冷々れいれいとして、はい、参りましょう。

Each with his own thoughts, the four set out. "I shall run ahead for the keepsake," Mitsuyo said, throwing away the wild flowers she had plucked, and ran off like a child. Her skirts fluttering, white chasing scarlet. "Welcome back," came the chorus of voices from the Umeya.

心々に四人は歩み出しぬ。私は先へ行ってお土産を、と手折りたる野の花を投げ捨てて、光代は子供らしく駈かけ出しぬ。裾はほらほら、雪は紅を追えり。お帰り遊ばせと梅屋の声々。

"That Tōjō fellow, insolent to the last, who does not count me as a man at all." Tatsuya drained a glass of sobering water at a gulp, alone in his room, his eyes bright as he glared into space. What does he take me for, anyway? He never said it to my face, but he plainly insulted me. Just watch. Once I have him neatly in my hands I will smash him to powder. I am not the man to stand sucking my fingers while another walks off with what I have marked. Once I have aimed I never let go. I saw plainly enough how he stands with Mitsuyo. To trample that self-satisfied face underfoot will be as easy as breakfast. Does he know who I am? Does he know who I am? Ha ha ha ha, just like a scholar in his naivety. What a fool. Well, it looks as if I shall need a little strategy now. Splendid, splendid. Just when I was beginning to ache with too much quiet, a fine diversion has bubbled up. I will work it well and to the full. This is where my skill comes in. Well, things are getting interesting.

あくまで無礼な、人を人とも思わぬかの東条という奴やつ、と酔醒よいざめの水を一息に仰飲あおって、辰弥は独りわが部屋に、眼まなこを光らして一方を睨にらみつつ、全体おれを何と思っているのだ。口でこそそれとは言わんが、明らかにおれを凌辱りょうじょくした。おのれ見ろ。見事おれの手だまに取って、こん粉微塵こみじんに打ち砕いてくれるぞ。見込んだものを人に取らして、指をくわえているおれではない。狙ねらった上は決して免のがさぬ。光代との関係は確かに見た。わが物顔のその面つらを蹂ふみ躙にじるのは朝飯前だ。おれを知らんか。おれを知らんか。はははははさすがは学者の迂濶うかつだ。馬鹿な奴。いやそろそろ政略が要いるようになった。妙だぞ。妙だぞ。ようやく無事に苦しみかけたところへ、いい慰みが沸いて来た。充分うまくやって見ようぞ。ここがおれの技倆ぎりょうだ。はて事が面白くなって来たな。

Mitsuyo is only a peeping chick, after all. One blow and her wings are pinned. I will give her no time to say yes or no. Still, a beauty like hers is not to be got elsewhere. I must treasure her for a start. The old man, the old man. I will never let him slip. Talk him round neatly, and my debts that I can never slip out of. Yes, that will do too and this will do too. Now, shall I lay my plot? The quicker the business the better. "Speed is everything in war." I will press hard on the chase and set to work at once. Good. Let me begin. Delay is loss. Hurry, hurry.

光代は高がひいひいたもれ。ただ一撃ちに羽翼締はがいじめだ。否いやも応も言わせるものか。しかし彼の容色はほかに得られぬ。まずは珍重することかな。親父おやじ親父。親父は必ず逃がさんぞ。あれを巧く説き込んで。身脱みぬけの出来ぬおれの負債を。うむ、それもよしこれもよし。さて謀はかりごとをめぐらそうか。事は手ッ取り早いがいい。「兵は神速」だ。駈けを追ってすぐに取りかかろうぞ。よし。始めよう。猶予は御損だ急げ急げ。

Turning on his heel, he laid his hand on the electric bell by the pillar, and before he had time to wait one of the maids came running. "Look, go to Miyoshi-san's rooms and say this for me. I should like him to beat me at another game, and I have something else to talk of besides, so if he is free I would be glad if he would come at once. Hurry now, will you. Oh, your comb has fallen."

身を返しさま柱の電鈴に手を掛くれば、待つ間あらせず駈けて来る女中の一人、あのね三好さんのところへ行ってね、また一席負かしていただきたいが、ほかにお話しもありますから、お暇ならすぐにおいでを願いたい。とこう言って来ておくれ。急いで、いいか。おッと櫛くしが落ちたぞ。

*

＊　　　　＊　　　　＊

"That is mere obstinacy on your part. He is not a man to be cast aside like that. Whatever else, he is a man who has become a secretary. Bend a little and try keeping company with him." To Zenpei soothing him so, Tsunao only arched himself back and stayed stiff. "I have no thought whatever of mixing with such a man. Frivolous in looks, flippant, a man I dislike through and through. I hate even to see his face. I came here full of pleasure, and through that man I have met with nothing but disappointment. What good could come of company with such a creature. What is it in him that you find so much to your liking?"

それはお前の一克いっこくというものだ。そんなに擯斥ひんせきしたものではない。何と言っても書記官にもなっている人だ。お前も少しは我がを折って交際つきあって見るがいい。となだむる善平に反そりを返して、綱雄はあくまできっとしていたりしが、いや私はあんな男と交わろうとは決して思いません。見るから浮薄らしい風の、軽躁けいそうな、徹頭徹尾虫の好かぬ男だ。私は顔を見るのもいやです。せっかく楽しみにしてここへ来たに、あの男のために興味索然という目に遇あわされた。あんなものと交際して何の益がありましょう。あなたはまたどこがよくって、あんな男がお気に入ったのですか。

"I do not like him either, somehow," said Mitsuyo, playing with her ring.

私も何だかあの方は好かないわ。と指環を玩弄おもちゃにしながら光代は言う。

"Quite right. So it should be," said Tsunao, giving his pipe a tap. Even that sound grated on Zenpei's ears, and his laughing face clouded a little. "With any man, if you look you will surely find faults. Taking each other's good points and enjoying one another, that is what keeping company is. You grow more perverse by degrees. In that temper you will never push your way through the world." His voice, even so, was still mild.

そうだ。そうあるべきことだ。と綱雄は一打ち煙管きせるを払はたく。その音も善平の耳に障さわりて、笑えましき顔も少し打ち曇りしが、それはどんな人であっても探せばあらはきっと出る、長所いいところを取り合ってお互いに面白く楽しむのが交際というものだ。お前はだんだん偏屈になるなア。そんな風で世間を押し通すことは出来ないぞ。とさすがに声はまだ穏やかなり。

"But what merit is there in that man? In the first place—" He was stopped before he could go on. "Enough. You may dislike him on your own reckoning. I shall keep company with him on mine, and we will say no more of this. That will do. There is nothing to be got by reddening our faces at each other." For all he said it, displeasure showed in his colour, and Tsunao held all the more stiffly to his own. "Still, if he were a stranger it would be another matter, but as it is you, I must tell you all that I believe. I must earnestly beg you to have done with him."

しかしあの男のどこに取柄があります。第一、と言いかけるを押し止とどめて、もういいわ、お前はお前の了簡りょうけんで嫌きらうさ。私わしは私で結交つきあうから、もうこのことは言わぬとしよう。それでいいではないか。顔を赤め合うのもつまらんことだ。と言えども色に出づる不満、綱雄はなおも我がを張りて、ではありますが、これが他人ならとにかく、あなたであって見れば私はどこまでも信ずるところを申します。私は強しいてお止め申さんければならぬ。

"Be silent!" The harsh voice burst out at last. "I will hear no more. What presumption."

黙らっしゃい。と荒々しき声はついに迸ほとばしりぬ。私はもう聞く耳を持たんぞ。何だ。出過ぎたことを。

"Oh Father, you are angry. Tsunao-san said it with no ill meaning. What a face you are making."

あら父様、お怒りなすったの。綱雄さんだって悪気で言ったのではありませんよ。何ですねえそんな顔をなすって。

"Nay, keep out of it. It is nothing you know of." Silenced by the unexpected volley, she had just closed her lips when a messenger from Tatsuya came in haste and delivered his message word for word as he had been told. Zenpei, half out of bravado, gave his assent with a ready answer and sent him back. Tsunao sat with folded arms and bowed head.

ええ引ッ込んでいろ。手前の知ったことではないわ。と思わぬ飛〓とばしりに口をつぐむ途端、辰弥よりの使いは急がわしく来たりて言われたる通りの口上を述べぬ。半ばは意気張りずくの善平は二つ返事に、承知の由を答えて帰しぬ。綱雄は腕を組んで差し俯向けり。

Mitsuyo looked anxiously from one to the other, and held back her father as he rose to go as he was. "Father, to part like this leaves an ill feeling on both sides, does it not? Do make your peace somehow before you go. It puts me in difficulty."

光代は気遣わしげに二人を見かわせしが、そのまま立ち上る父を止とどめて、父様、それではお互いに心持がよくないではありませんか。何とか仲を直しておいでなさいな。私は困るわ。

At the pretty meekness with which she bowed her head, Zenpei paused a moment and turned back. Tsunao did not unbend his grave face, but sat silent with knitted brows. To see it set his own heart ablaze too. 'Very well, leave him be!'

その投首のしおらしさに、善平は一時立ち止まりて振り返りぬ。綱雄はむずかしき顔も崩くずさず、眉根まゆねを打ち寄せて黙然たり。見るにこなたも燃え立つ心、いいわ、打っちゃっておけ！

Shaking off his sleeve, Zenpei went out with loud steps. Tsunao sank into himself and said not another word. All at once the water running through the valley struck upon the ear.

袖振り払って善平は足音荒く出で行けり。綱雄は打ち沈みてさらに言葉もなし。渓たに行く水はにわかに耳立ちて聞えぬ。

"Tsunao-san, why do you dislike Okumura-sama so much? Could you not simply humour him and let it pass? Oh, do try to do so. When it comes to this I no longer know which side to take, and I truly feel like bursting into tears," Mitsuyo said earnestly. "If you can, do try to think better of it. Won't you?" she said, peering into his face. Her winning air was beyond telling.

綱雄さん、あなたはなぜそんなにも奥村様をお嫌いなさるの。いい加減にあしらっていればいいではありませんか。え、どうかしてそうおしなさいな。こんなことになると私はどっちへついていいか分らなくなって、ほんとに泣き出したくなって来るわ。としみじみ言い出づる光代、出来るならねえ、どうぞ気を取り直して見て下さいな。え、あなた、と顔を窺のぞき込みぬ。人を惹ひく風情はさらなり。

Moved, Tsunao lifted his face and somewhat recovered his colour. Yet his words yielded nothing. "I cannot bend myself. That man displeases me through and through. I spoke from grounds of my own, but if Uncle will not make use of them, then that is that. And you, what do you think of the fellow?"

動かされてか綱雄は顔を上げて少しく色を直しぬ。されども言葉はさらに譲らず。私は自分を枉まげることは出来ん。あの男はどこまでも私の気に入らんのだ。私はもとより拠よるところがあって言ったのであるが、伯父様おじさまが用いて下さらねばそれまでのこと、お前はまああの男をどう思う。

"I hardly know about such things, but a man who chatters so, I should think, can have little that is solid at bottom."

私なんぞにはよくは分りませんが、あんなに喋々ちょうちょうしい人というものは、しんには実が少ないだろうかと思いますよ。

"Yes. Well said," Tsunao said with a trace of a smile. "You understand the better. A thing to admire." Plainly said, yet his face held tenderness.

うむ、よく言った。と綱雄は微笑を洩もらして、お前の方がまだ分っている。感心なものだ。と飾らねども顔には情を含めり。

"And, you know, there is something creepy about him. Perhaps it is only my fancy, but he is altogether strange."

それにね、あの方は何だか気味が悪いわ。私の気のせいだか知らないけれど、一体変でならないの。

"Why is that?" Tsunao sent her a look, and she answered, with eyes that made her meaning speak, "Oh, it is nothing in particular, only, only, he is somehow queer. So I think I dislike him." "Hm," Tsunao said, as if with a cold smile, "with that fellow, it may well be so. Should he utter even a hint of such a thing, I will teach him shame to his heart's content. To fall prey to such a wretch would be a misfortune worse than death."

どうして、と綱雄は目を送れば、なにね、何でもありませんけれどね、あのー、あのー、ただなんだか訝おかしいの。だから私は好かないと思っていますの。と目顔に言わする心の中。ふむ、とばかり綱雄は冷笑あざわらうごとく、あいつのことだそんなことがあるかも知れぬ。片言でもそれに類したことを口に出したが最後、思い入れ恥をかかせてやれ。あんな奴の餌食えじきになるは死に優ました大不幸だ。

"When I think what may become of me I grow frightened, so while you are here, please, I beg you, stay beside me. When I think of such things I wish we might soon... oh..." She smiled shyly. "Well, let us stop."

私はどういうことになるかも知れないと思うと恐くっていけませんから、あなたね、ここにいる間は後生だから傍についていて下さいな。こんなことを思うと早くねえ……。あのー……。と羞はずかしそうに打ち笑みて、まあ止よしましょう。

"What are you saying?" Tsunao for the first time laughed clear and bright, but then, "I came all this way to come here, yet Uncle is as you see him, and that fellow will be coming in every day. The mere sight of him offends me, and there is no way for things to go on peacefully. I think I had best go home at once."

何を言っているのだ。と綱雄も初めて清く打ち笑いしが、いやしかし私もせっかくここへは来たけれど、伯父様はあの通りであるから、あの男は毎日入り込んで来るだろう。あいつを見るばかりでも気色に障ってならんから、到底平和に行くわけはない。私はいっそのことすぐに帰ってしまおう。

"Oh, if you do such a thing it will seem all the more as if you are striking at Father, and besides, what is to become of me? To be left alone, it is hateful. If you go home, I shall go home with you."

あらそんなことをなすっては、なお父様に当るようでもありますし、それに私を、まあどうして下さるおつもりなの。私は一人で、いやなこと、あなたがお帰りになるなら私も御一しょに帰りますよ。

"That will not do." Tsunao spoke firmly. "You must stay and nurse Uncle. You are still a daughter of the Miyoshi. Do you not hold Uncle dear? What foolishness to be in tears."

それはいかん。と綱雄は心強く、お前は伯父様を御介抱申さねばならん。お前はまだ三好の娘だぞ。伯父様を大事と思わんか。何だ馬鹿な涙ぐんで。

"Even so, I... You are too cruel." She had begun to bite the sleeve of her juban, then, "Then I shall beg Father, whether he will or no, for us all to go home together. Why have you so little feeling for me? You think nothing at all of me. You are glad to make me cry."

それだっても私は……。あなたはあんまりだわ。と襦袢じゅばんの袖を噛み初めしが、それでは父様に無理に願って皆みんな一しょに帰ってしまいましょう。あなたはなぜそう思いやりがないのだろう。私なんぞのことは何とも思っておいでではないんだよ。あなたは私を泣かせて嬉しいの。

"You must not talk like that, it puts me in difficulty." Tsunao gave a wry smile. "Have no worry for what comes after. I shall without fail give Uncle a quiet word of warning. Nor do I myself wish to go home if I can help it."

そんなことを言っては困るなア。と綱雄は苦笑いして、なに、後での気遣いはないように、それとなく伯父様に注意は必ず与えておこう。私も好んで帰りたくはないわな。

"No, I will not let you go." Mitsuyo clung and coaxed.

いや、私は帰しませんよ。と光代は捏こね廻わす。

"It is no use going on with such childish talk forever. We are to be parted again for a while, and will you show me such a face?"

いつまでつまらんことを言っても仕方はない。これからまたしばらく別れるというのに、お前はそんな顔を見せてくれるのか。

"No, whatever you say, I will not let you go, and that is that."

何でもいや、私は帰さないからいい。

Tsunao said nothing and hung his head. Mitsuyo drew close and peered into his face, laying her lovely hand upon his knee. "Do you so much want to go home?"

鋼雄は黙して俯向きぬ。光代は摺すり寄って顔を覗のぞき込み、美しき手を膝ひざに掛けて、あなたはそんなにもお帰りなさりたいの。

Tsunao kept his lips shut and would not even look. "Then," Mitsuyo said innocently, bringing her face near, "will you take me with you? Eh? Do take me with you, will you?"

鋼雄は見もやらずなお口をつぐみぬ。それならばと光代はあどけなく、いっそ私を連れて行って下さいますか。え。と顔を近づけて、ねえ、連れて行って下さいな。

"Well, shall we both just go home?" Tsunao suddenly raised his head, and a tender light flashed in his eyes at the same moment, but in an instant he was himself again. "No, that will not do. You had better stay here."

うむ、いっそ、両人ふたり帰ってしまおうか。とにわかに首を上げたる綱雄の眼には、優しき光の同時にひらめきしが、瞬またたく間もなく本もとに返りて、いや、そうでない。お前はまあいて上げるがいい。

"Oh dear, you say that again. Very well. Then I shall go home by myself."

あらいや、またそんなことをおっしゃるんだもの。ようござんす。私は一人で帰ってしまいます。

From a room some way off came the thick voice of a provincial guest singing about trusting all to an ivy wig. In the passage a masseur sank to his knees with his "A treatment for you?"

どうせ任せた蔦つたかつらと、田舎いなかの客の唄う濁声だみごえは離れたる一間より聞えぬ。御療治はと廊下に膝をつくは按摩あんまなり。

*

＊　　　　＊　　　　＊

Tsunao would not bend, and in the end he went away. Leaving behind a single letter in which his brush had told his heart, with no farewell to Mitsuyo and none to Zenpei, he left the Umeya lightly, as if upon the wind. Clouds went and waters hastened, and his rickshaw left the sound of farewell in these hills, then vanished and was gone.

綱雄は折れずついに帰りぬ。さすがに一封の手紙を残して、筆に心を知らせたるまま、光代にも告げず善平にも告げず、飄然ひょうぜんとして梅屋を立ち去れり。雲は行き水は走りて、車はこの山にさらばの響きを残せしが、消えて失うせにき。

It was Zenpei who came back, calling "Tsunao, Tsunao!" from outside the room in high spirits and a voice still gladder. Mitsuyo, tear-faced, sat drooping where she was and gave him no welcome. "What is it? What is wrong? Where has Tsunao gone?"

勇み立ちたる声のいとど喜ばしげに、綱雄綱雄と室へやの外より呼ばわりながら帰り来るは善平なり。泣き顔の光代は悄然しょんぼり座りたるまま迎えもせず。何だ。どうした。綱雄はどこへ行った。

"Tsunao has gone home. Please look at this," Mitsuyo said, holding out the letter. Zenpei did not even take it in his hand. "What! Gone home in a temper, has he? The fool," and then, as if the rest were already forgotten, "That does not matter. Leave it be. Let him alone." He hastily drew the inkstone to him, dashed off three telegrams, called a maid and sent her off at once to post them, all but whipping her on her way, and without taking up his pipe or drinking his tea, his face flushed and his eyes fixed in one direction as if they gazed at something most diverting there, "A find, a find, this is a find indeed. With a secretary for a backer at one's back there is no question. Fellows like Tsunao cannot see a thing like this, and that is the trouble. The famous Kijima coal mine at any rate, two hundred thousand is a foolishly cheap price. Sold at a throwaway price it is still rated at five hundred thousand, the yearly output in the hundreds of thousands of yen, dividends almost unheard of for a coal mine, coal far better even than Miike, with hundreds of thousands of tons a year sold for naval use at home and abroad; why, the god of fortune has come to us from an unlooked for quarter. We must not let it slip to another. And Okumura is a worker. No course can come to a bad end," all as if no one stood before him.

綱雄さんは帰ってしまいました。これを御覧なされと光代は手紙を差し出す。善平は手にも取らず、何だ。怒って帰ったのか。馬鹿な奴、とばかり後は忘れたるごとく、そんなことはどうでもよし。捨てておけ。と急がわしく硯すずりを引き寄せ、手早く認したためたる電信三通、婢おんなを呼び立ててすぐにと鞭打むちうたぬばかりに追いやり、煙管きせるも取らず茶も飲まず、顔はいきり立って眼はある方にさも面白きものの影を見つむるごとく、掘出し物掘出し物、これがほんの掘出し物だ。何にしても書記官という後立てを、背中に背負しょっていれば論はないさ。綱雄などにはこういうところが見えぬから困る。とにもかくにも有名な木島炭山、二十万とは馬鹿馬鹿しい安価やすねだ。棄値すてねに売っても五十万の折紙、毎年の採掘高は幾十万円、利益配当の多いことはまず炭山にはほとんどまれで、その炭質の良いことは遠く三池の石炭にも増して、内外諸方へ軍艦用として売り込むものでも毎年およそ何十万噸とん、いや福の神はとんだところにおいでなされた。何としてよそへすべらしてなるものか。それにしても奥村は働き手だ。どの道悪い首尾にはならぬ。とさながら前に人もなげなり。

The famous Kijima coal mine at any rate: The Kijima coal mine is the government mine whose sale is being canvassed. Disposal meant its lease or sale to private buyers by application, where order and influence counted.

He knew that something had happened, though not what, and Mitsuyo, listless in herself and wanting comfort, resented a father who gave her none. Sorrow heaped with pique found voice: "Father, it is so dull, I shall go home too," she said, sullen and sharp with it. Zenpei scarcely took it in. "If that mine once comes into our hands, the smart I have suffered ever since that blunder over the shares will be quite cured. Besides, the losses the Sino-Japanese troubles brought upon our marine produce, this will make them good. I must bring it off well," he ran on, beside himself.

何事か起りたるとは知らぬにあらねど、光代は差し当りての身の物憂ものうげなるを、慰めてくれぬ父を恨めしと思いぬ。憂いに重ぬる不満は穂にあらわれて、父様、つまりませぬから私も帰りまする。と辛きに当てて不興らしく言う。善平はさらに耳にも入れず、何にしてもかの炭山が手に入れば、例の失策しくじりの株以来、手ひどく受けた痛みもすッかり療治が出来る。その上日清にっしん事件の影響から、海産物に及ぼした損失もこれで埋合せがつくというもの。いや首尾よくやって見たいものだ。とわれを忘れて調子づく。

"Father, Father, I say, Father, I am going home," Mitsuyo raised her voice and spoke still more keenly. Zenpei, as if he marked her for the first time, "What, go home? I shall go home too. We must be back in Tokyo with all speed and settle this and that arrangement. Mitsuyo, we start early tomorrow. And that mine, I must have it at any cost," his heart already half gone ahead.

父様、父様ッたらば父様、私は帰りますよ。と光代は声を励ましていとどけわしく言う。善平は初めて心づきたるごとく、なに帰る？　私わしも帰るさ。一時も早く東京へ帰って、何彼なにかの手はずを極きめねばならぬ。光代、明日ははやく発たとうぞ。それにしても炭山は、ぜひとも手に入れたいものだ。と半ばは先に心を奪わる。

To have their starting fixed so lightly for the very next morning was more than Mitsuyo had looked for, and cheated of her scheme to tease him a little and trouble him and make him sullenly follow her will and so go home together, her maiden heart was displeased, displeased already at being made nothing of from the first, and she pressed close, "Father, is that truly so, eh, Father, do take it to heart and listen. You are too provoking. Father," till at last she pulled his ear. Zenpei, annoyed, "There, what a noise. Be silent. You disturb my thinking. Come, go and take a bath."

明日の朝すぐの発足と、たやすく言われたる光代は案外なる思い、少しはいじめて困らせて、渋々我意に従わせて、そして一しょに帰らんとの、所思おもわくの張合いを抜かされたるが、乙女心の気に入らず、初めよりして構いつけられぬが、なお気に入らず進み寄りて、父様、それは真実ほんとうなの、え、父様、あれさア、身に染しみて聞いて下さいよう。じれッたい。父様ア。とばかり果ては耳を引っ張る。善平はうるさげに、ええ喧やかましい、黙っていろ。考えごとの邪魔になる。チョッ、湯にでもはいって来るがいい。

"Very well. Have it all your own way," Mitsuyo flung out after her usual manner, and turned away in a sulk. Zenpei, as though it were no concern of his, with the mine on his lips at every second word, his heart scarcely present in his body.

ようございます。たんとそうなさいまし。と先例しきたりのごとく言い放ちて光代は拗すね返りぬ。善平はさらに関せざるもののごとく、二言めには炭山がと、心はほとんど身に添わず。

Rough upon the mats, venting herself upon the sliding doors, Mitsuyo went out of the room. Just then Tatsuya was passing along the corridor that leads to the main house. They met face to face, one above and one below, and Tatsuya smiled at her as he always did. Mitsuyo, her face set in a pout, turned her eyes away toward the ridge. Tatsuya smiled and passed on.

畳障りも荒々しく、障子に当り散らして光代は部屋の外へ出でぬ。折しも母屋おもやへ通う廊下を行くは辰弥なり。上と下とに顔見合わせて、辰弥はいつものごとく笑うて見せぬ。光代はむっとしたる顔して尾上おのえに目を反そらしぬ。辰弥は打ち笑みて過ぎけり。

As he had said, Zenpei hastened to leave while it was still early morning. Though shown no more tenderness today, Mitsuyo's face did not soften, yet her heart was already glad to be out of this house. Tatsuya came out to see them off. At sight of him Mitsuyo knit her brows and turned her face away. Tatsuya and Zenpei whispered together for a little, and ended laughing with one another. Mitsuyo pretended not to know and looked only elsewhere. At parting Tatsuya had one word: "Mitsuyo-san, when you meet Tsunao-san, please remember me kindly to him."

いいしごとく善平は朝まだきに帰りを急ぎぬ。今日も同じくいたわられぬに光代の顔は打ち解けねど、心は早くこの家を出づることを喜べり。見送りにとて辰弥は出で来たりぬ。見るより光代は眉を顰ひそめて顔を背そむけぬ。辰弥と善平とはややしばし囁ささやき合いて、終りは互いに打ち笑えり。光代は知らぬ振りしてただよそをのみ見つめぬ。別れ際に辰弥は一言、光代さん、綱雄さんにお逢あいの節は、どうぞよろしくとおっしゃって下さい。

With the shade of the woods at Ueno to greet her, Mitsuyo drew her first free breath. Without waiting for tomorrow she coaxed leave from her mother, and forgetting even her shyness in the thought, she went at once to Tsunao's lodgings; but alas, Tsunao had not yet come home, and as Mitsuyo turned back, crestfallen, the stray hairs she could not brush away were tossed by the autumn wind, which knows one's heart.

上野の森の影を迎えて光代は初めてほッと息をつきぬ。明日とも言わず母親に強請せがみて許しを受け、羞かしさもある思いにほとんど忘れて、すぐに綱雄のもとへと行きしが、あわれ、綱雄はいまだ帰り来たらず、すごすごとして引っ返したる光代の、払いもあえぬ後れ毛を吹き乱すは、いかに身を知る秋の風なりし。

Since coming home Zenpei had hardly warmed his seat, hastening east and running west, rushing about day after day as if possessed. Visitors arriving in parties of three and four shut themselves with him in one room and held long secret counsel. The busier the days, the swifter they flew like arrows. The dew deep, the mist white, with the colour showing in the burning-bush of the garden, on a certain morning a rickshaw drew suddenly up and Tatsuya came in, smiling. Zenpei rose in delight as if he had been lying in wait for him and asked him upstairs. At the sight of him Mitsuyo, she knew not why, shuddered again.

家に帰りてより善平は席も暖かならず、東に行き西に馳はせ、半ば物狂おしく日ごとに奔走しぬ。三人四人打ち連れて訪い来る客は、一間に閉じ籠りてしばしば密議を凝らせり。日は急がしきにつれて矢のごとく飛びぬ。露深く霧白く、庭の錦木にしきぎの色にほのめくある朝のこと、突然車を寄せて笑ましげに入り来るは辰弥なり。善平は待ち構えたるごとく喜び立って上に請しょうじぬ。光代は姿を見て何とも知らずまたぞっとしたり。

From that day Tatsuya's comings and goings at the Miyoshi house came with no more pause than waves breaking on the shore. Between him and Zenpei it was quite as if they were kin. Everyone indoors knew that he was the weighty man in this affair, and with Zenpei to lead them not one of them thought to treat him slightingly. Tatsuya cast his spider's thread as he pleased and gathered them all into his net. So from the lowliest maid to the retired elder above he became the intimate among intimates, until the Miyoshi house and Tatsuya were no longer to be parted. Standing in the midst of it, Mitsuyo alone nursed her anger. Tatsuya grew more distasteful the more she looked at him, she knew not why, and her father who drew so close to him was hateful, her mother who kept no distance was mortifying, her easy elder sister was hateful, her smiling elder brother she could have bitten, and on every side nothing pleased her, on every side nothing pleased her, until at last in the fret that boiled over in her, the workaday maid who bore the brunt of it stood at a loss, tearful and wondering what to do, a strange picture of the world. Mitsuyo waited for Tsunao with a single heart. Knowing nothing of her feeling, Tsunao still did not come home. Alone and melancholy Mitsuyo gazed at the clouds of morning and evening. Her breast, bound to a destination she could not fix, grew ever more painful, and wondering where he might now be and what doing, the mirror she faced showed a worn face, and even that was soon clouded with a sigh.

その日よりして三好の家に辰弥の往復は磯いそ打つ波のひまなくなりぬ。善平との間はさながら親戚みうちのごとくなれり。家内の皆々は辰弥のこのたびの事件に重おもなる人なることを知りぬ。先に立つ善平につれて誰も彼も疎略には思わざりき。辰弥は思うがままに蜘蛛くもの糸を吐きかけて人々をことごとく網の中につつみぬ。かくして末の婢おんなより上かみの隠居に至るまで、辰弥は親しき中うちの親しき人となりぬ。三好の家と辰弥とは、ようやく離るべからざるものとなれり。中に立って光代は独り打ち腹立ちぬ。見るほど何ゆえとも知らねどいよいよ疎うとましき辰弥に、かくまで語らい寄る父の恨めしく、隔意へだてを置かぬ母の口惜くやしく、心やすげなる姉の憎く、笑顔を見する兄の喰いつきてもやりたく、三方四方面白くなくて面白くなくて、果ては焦じれ出す疳癪かんしゃくに、当り散らさるる仲働きの婢は途方に暮れて、何とせんかと泣き顔の浮世のさまはただ不思議なり。光代は一筋に綱雄を待ちぬ。他ひとの気も知らず綱雄はいつまでも帰り来たらず。光代は一人物憂げに朝夕の雲を望めり。指して定まらぬ行衛ゆくえに結ぼるる胸はいよいよ苦しく、今ごろはどこにどうしてかと、打ち向う鏡は窶やつれを見せて、それもいつしか太息といきに曇りぬ。

Zenpei never looked her way, his mind elsewhere, for rare guests were to come that day, and from early bed Zenpei was astir with preparations: sweep the garden, bring out the cushions, the hand brazier with its ginboya fittings, the Ikkan well bucket tobacco tray, in the alcove his boast, a Tanyu, the set of three scrolls of the Three Evenings poems for all to look at, the flower vase by Soho, mark but the signature, holding the autumn brocade of hill and field, and, with its heart at Tsukushi Bay, on the makie tray of plovers over waves, the stacked incense box in kintame lacquer said to be of Kamakura, set beside the kinuta celadon censer, and in the grip of the silver leaf tongs the brushwood boat parting the mist, its destination known only at the end of the smoke, enough to make one nod and nod again in the heart; to one side, on the rosewood stand inlaid with enamel, the silver hawk figure set out, let that too be counted among the talk, and the gold screen in full colour, Korin birds and flowers wrought in relief with all his art; a splendid room, blue mats with Korai edging on which a jewel might be laid without shame, looking out before on the full wabi of the tea garden, a delight for shifting eyes, here is where worth is to be weighed, and, more pleased than any guest to come, his face streaked sideways with soot, the master alone looked round on every side, crying, 'Splendid!'

善平は見もやらず心もそぞろに、今日はまた珍客の入来じゅらいとて、朝まだきの床の中より用意に急がしく、それ庭を掃け裀しとねを出せ、銀穂屋ぎんぼや付きの手炉てあぶりに、一閑釣瓶いっかんつるべの煙草盆、床には御自慢の探幽たんゆうが、和歌の三夕これを見てくれの三幅対、銘も聞けがし宗甫そうほ作の花入れに、野山の錦の秋を見せて、あわれ心を筑紫潟つくしがた、浪に千鳥の蒔絵盆まきえぼんには、鎌倉時代と伝えたる金溜塗きんためぬりの重香合じゅうこうごう、碪手青磁きぬたでせいじの香炉に添えて、銀葉挾ぎんようばさみの手の内に、霞かすみを分けて入る柴舟しばふねの、行衛は煙けぶりの末にも知れと、しばしば心にうなずくなるべし。脇わきには七宝入りの紫檀したん卓に、銀蒼鷹ぎんくまたかの置物を据すえて、これも談話はなしの数に入れとや、極彩色の金屏風きんびょうぶは、手を尽したる光琳こうりんが花鳥の盛上げ、あっぱれ座敷や高麗縁こうらいべりの青畳に、玉を置くとも羞かしからぬ設けの席より、前は茶庭の十分なる侘わびを見せて、目移りゆかしくここを価値ねうちの買いどころと、客より先に主人の満足は、顔に横撫での煤すすを付けながら、独り妙みょうと隈くまなく八方を見廻しぬ。

in the alcove his boast, a Tanyu, the set of three scrolls of the Three Evenings poems for all to look at: Tanyu is the Kano-school painter Kano Tanyu, whose work was a standard boast in a formal alcove. Soho names a vase-maker prized for tea flower-vases. The Three Evenings are three celebrated autumn-verse topics, here as a set of three scrolls.
the stacked incense box in kintame lacquer said to be of Kamakura, set beside the kinuta celadon censer: Kinuta is a type of grey-green celadon, named after stone beaters for cloth. Kintame is a gold-rich lacquer finish, and makie is lacquer sprinkled with gold or silver powder, here plovers over waves.

"Toyo, wipe the go stones clean. Risuke, now, the hand basin, the thread patterned bowls are in the storehouse. The Nankin blue and white clam dishes, shall it be these or shall it be those, Mitsuyo, where is Mitsuyo, Mitsuyo, Mitsuyo." Called out thus, Mitsuyo came forward against her will, and Zenpei rose to outdo himself. "Now today, you see, with Okumura-sama and other important guests, you must come out and pour for us. Change your clothes now and be quick to get ready," he ordered her.

豊とよは碁石の清拭きよぶきせよ。利介りすけはそれそれ手水鉢ちょうずばち、糸目の椀わんは土蔵くらにある。南京なんきん染付け蛤皿はまぐりざら、それもよしかこれもよしか、光代、光代はどこにいる。光代光代、と呼び立てられて心ならずも光代は前に出づれば、あの今日はな、と善平は競きそい立ちて、奥村様はじめ大事のお客であるから、お前にも酌しゃくに出てもらわねばならぬ。今っから衣服きものも着更えて早く支度を、と言いつくる。

From the first Mitsuyo wore no pleasant face, and listened as if lending only her ears, until, with her wonted wilfulness showing its force at such a moment, she said, "My stomach aches today, so please excuse me," and rose curtly from her place. That day she never once showed her face outside her room.

初めより光代はよき顔もせず、耳の役とばかり聞いていたりしが、今日はお腹なかが痛みますから、御免を蒙こうむりまする。といつものわがままのかかる時に勢いを見せて、そのまますげなく座を立ちぬ。その日はついに、室の外へとは顔も出さざりき。

Before long the guests came in, for the most part in Western dress and black-bearded, and for a while after they entered the room they gave themselves to hushed and close counsel; then, as they opened out and settled to either side, the dishes carried in were the fruit of Zenshiro's careful knife, and before the exchange of cups was half done merry voices were already rising in laughter. Hearing it from afar, Mitsuyo's eyes brimmed with vexation. That in the hurry of the reception not one soul came to visit her was, to a girl's heart, one grievance more.

ほどもなく入り来る洋服扮装いでたちの七分は髯黒の客人まろうど、座敷に入りてしばらくは打ち潜めきたる密議に移りしが、やがて開きて二側ふたかわに居流れたるを合図として、運び出づる杯盤の料理は善四郎が念入りの庖丁ほうちょう、献酬いまだ半ばならず早くも笑いさざめく声々を、よそに聞きて光代は口惜しげに涙ぐみぬ。座敷の急がしさに取り紛れて誰一人ここを訪わんとせざるも、女心には恨みの一つなり。

Dusk had turned to evening, the silver lights shone full, and when the guests had at last scattered, there remained Tatsuya and Zenpei. With fresh dishes laid in a separate room, the two threw themselves into close talk. Setting down his cup to take breath, Zenpei said, "At this rate you will surely not refuse me. Though the fee for your good offices is small, let it stand at ten thousand yen, and upon success I will present a thousand yen yearly as thanks money. What, you say that to your colleagues and the others who have acted with you, the gentlemen here today, some share of allotment money is also due? That, well, indeed, such payments will have to be made, but in due course I shall consult on that point with my associates and arrange it in one way or another, so let the commission to yourself be fixed for now at just that sum, and first of all to bar the Kunitomo Company's application on its way and get my own before the ministry with all speed is the wise course, and in any case I would ask at once for your exertions toward bringing this matter together, leaving further reward to be settled once the affair is concluded, and I trust there will be no objection to that?"

夕暮となり宵よいとなり、銀燭ぎんしょくは輝き渡りて客はようやく散じたる跡に、残るは辰弥と善平なりき。別室に肴さかなを新たにして、二人は込み入りたる談話はなしに身を打ち入れぬ。善平は息継ぎの盃さかずきを下に置きて、これならば、あなたもとこうはござりますまい。御周旋料は少うござるが一万円としておいて、成功の上は千円ずつ、謝金を年々に差し上げましょう。なに、御同僚そのほかあなたと事をともにした今日の方々にも、幾分かの割賦金わりふきんとおっしゃいますのか。それは、な、なるほど、そんな支払いにもなりましょうが、追ッつけその辺は同志のものと、また相談の上いずれにか計らいようもございましょうから、あなたに対するお手数料はまずそれだけに極きめておきまして、何はさておき、国友くにとも商会の願書を途中で遮さえぎって、一時も早く私の方のを官へ差し出すが上分別、とにもかくにもこの首尾を取り纏める方に、早速ながら御尽力を願って、事落着の上で御報酬の方は極めることに致しても、別に差しつかえはないではござりませぬか。

Tatsuya shook his head with an amused smile. "Now, what I have to say comes to just this. To be sure, in your way of thinking, if only the forwarding of the papers is hurried through, all else may be left for after, and there is reason enough in what you say, but as to those applications, that it is a case I cannot manage by myself however I try is as I have told you before. The Kunitomo Company's business was at first in my charge, but now the bureau chief has taken it in hand and stands openly as the patron of the Company in all things, so that once the application is ready tomorrow or in two or three days, on the day the Company presents it to the ministry there will be no good way to lie in wait on the road and hinder it. Hence before the matter comes to pass there is nothing for it but to draw that chief into our hands and talk him round into travelling to some distant place. While the chief is not in Tokyo, and from his place of travel holds the Company's application in check from afar so that it is not sent, I shall by my own contrivance make use of the head of the supervisory office, that man with the thick beard who came a while ago, set him to stand in the breach at this juncture, and without putting my hand to either side quietly pull the strings. But for that, should anything go amiss, the careers of we three must be sacrificed for your sake, and that after success would be one thing, but coming after the assignation-house affair you know of, should conduct of this sort be laid bare before society again, it would in truth be a bad business."

辰弥は笑ましげに頭こうべをふり、さあ、私の申すのもすなわちここですて、なるほどあなたの御了簡では、書面進達さえ急に運べば、万事は後日のこととして、差しつかえはないとおっしゃるのも御もっともではあるが、その願書のことについては、私一人ではどうあっても計らいかぬる場合と申すは、かねてお話しもしてある通り、一体国友商会のは、初手は私の担当であったが、今では局長が引き受けて、万事表面上商会の世話をしている仲であって見れば、すでに明日か二三日うちに願書が出来て、商会からこれを本省へ差し出す日には、途中におって邪魔をする好分別がさらにないので、よっては事の未然に先立って、かの局長をわが手に引き入れ、うまく説き込んで遠方へ旅行させるよりほかはありませぬ。すでに局長が東京におらず、また旅先から商会の願書を遠く牽制して出させぬようにしているうちには、私の方便で、監督署長の、それあのさっき来た頬髯ほおひげの濃い男、とにかくかの男を利用して、この局面の衝に立たせ、私はどちらへも手を出さずに、ひそかに綱を引きましょうが、それには、万一のあった時、われわれ三人の生涯しょうがいはあなたの犠牲とならねばならず、それも成功の後ならばともかく、それ、御存じの待合事件の後を受けて、またまた、そんな行跡が社会へ暴露した日には、実はよくないことですからねえ。

So what I have to ask of you in confidence is this. As I said a while ago, you see, well, whatever happens, I must have your agreement here, and besides that there is one thing more, of a different nature from this present matter, which I must beg you to grant, but that shall be for after. For today, as to the course I spoke of just now, Miyoshi-san, will you not contrive somehow to promise it? Upon success it is three hundred thousand yen, pure profit to be seen as early as tomorrow itself, is it not?

そこで私折り入っての願いというのは、先刻申した、ね、あの、事はどうあっても、ここであなたの御同意を得て、なおその上に、今一つ、それはまたこのお話しのものとは性質を異にしたもので、ぜひともお聞入れを願いたいこともありますが、しかし、それは追ってとして、まず今日は、さっきのお話し申した筋だけは、三好さん、どうにかお計らいで、お約束をなさってもいいではありませんか、成功の上は三十万円、早速明日が日にも純益を見られるわけではありませんか。

"Indeed, indeed," Zenpei answered, lifting his cup again. "That too is true. To begin with, by some strange fate I came, quite beyond looking for it, upon your acquaintance, and so this consultation has come about. The beginning and the settlement of the matter all lie in your sole exertions, and so in consideration of those exertions..." Here his words failed him a while, then, "Very well. That much I will give."

なるほど、なるほど、とばかり応対あしろうて善平はまた盃を上げしが、それもそうですなア。もとはと言えば不思議の御縁で、思い寄らずあなたのお目にかかったので、この御相談も出来たと申すもの。事の起りも納まりも、皆あなたお一人の御丹精にあることゆえ、その御丹精に免じまして、としばらく言葉を途切らせしが、ようございます。それだけは差し上げましょう。

Tatsuya drew his knee forward with a still more amused smile. "Now that you have consented, this Okumura is at ease."

膝を進めて辰弥はひとしお笑ましげに、ようやく御承知になりまして、この奥村も安心しました。

"But," he said, brushing the ash from his cigar, "whatever the result may prove, you will never hereafter raise any objection, will you? We for our part are resolved, should occasion require, to resign our offices together and, as private men together, to take the matter in hand for good."

しかし、と葉巻の灰を払いながら、たとえどのような結果になりましても、他日に至ってあなたに決して御異存はありますまいな。私どもも時宜によっては、袂たもとを列つらねて官職を辞し、ともに民間にいて永久に事を取るだけの決心でありますから。

"Of course, if the matter fails and we gain not a whit of profit...?"

もちろん事の破れとなって、私どもは毛頭も利益を得ません時は？

"Very well, we will remit half our expenses for good offices," showing a smile in the eyes, "but if, as we have long purposed, the hour of its accomplishment comes...?"

よろしい、われわれの周旋費、それは半分に負けて上げましょうが、と眼に微笑を見せて、もしまたかねて期したるごとく、事の成就した暁は？

"Then whatever lies within my power, I will meet your wish. Be it a house or a villa, I shall certainly render a fitting thanks besides."

されば、何なりと私の力にかなうことなら、あなたのお望みに応じまして、それは、家屋なり別荘なり、至当のお礼は別にきっといたすとしましょう。

"Nay, I receive your great goodwill with gratitude," Tatsuya said, smiling again. "Well then, whatever lies within your power, you will meet my wish, Miyoshi-san, certainly you will," he pressed, as if in jest.

いや、それは重々のお心添え、忝かたじけなく申し受けまする。と辰弥は重ねて笑み作りて、うむ、あなたの力にかなうことなら、私の望みに応じてとは、三好さん、きっとですぜ。と冗談らしく念押す。

"Now, what might that wish be?" Zenpei edged his knees forward, buoyed by drink. "Well, were I to name it for a start, it would be something like asking to receive what you yourself have fashioned," Tatsuya said, his voice lifting. "Ha! That sounds a riddle with something behind it," Zenpei laughed aloud.

全体、まあどのようなお望み。と善平は酔いに乗じて膝押し進む。さようさ、まず申して見ようなら、あなたの拵こしらえたものを戴いただきたいというようなこと。と辰弥は上ずりていう。はてなア。何か様子のありそうな謎なぞですな。と善平も笑い出す。

"Nay, that riddle you shall solve for me another day. First, anew to the fore celebration of this venture," Tatsuya said, offering his cup. Left with none to answer him, Zenpei was already at the hour of sleep.

いや、その謎は他日ぜひ解いていただこう。まず今度の前祝いに、改めて献じましょう。と辰弥は盃をさしぬ。対手あいてもなくば善平は早や眠きころなり。

Things went without hitch, quite as hoped. One item, a slight token, twenty-five thousand yen. That night Tatsuya lodged in Shimbashi, as was his custom.

事は思いしままに滞りなく行きぬ。一つ、薄儀、金二万五千円なり。辰弥はその夜例のごとく新橋泊り。

That night Tatsuya lodged in Shimbashi, as was his custom: Shimbashi was Tokyo's entertainment and assignation quarter by the railway terminus. Lodging there signals paid company after the cash payment.

Word that Tsunao had at last come home reached the Miyoshi house through another mouth. Yet he did not readily show his face this way, and Zenpei, worldly-minded as he was, took it greatly amiss. With "he is always despising me, to begin with," uncle and nephew grew by degrees more strained. Mitsuyo's mother, a hater of scholars from of old, was not silent at such a time. Cold by nature at the best of days, such slights were nothing new in Tsunao. He had not come with condolences after the recent fire; the congratulations on the recent birth had come only long after, when the time was near forgotten, and so on and on without end were counted the faults of a Tsunao ignorant of the ways of the world.

綱雄のようやく帰り来たれる報知は、人伝てによりて三好の家に達しぬ。されどもこなたへはたやすく顔も出さざるを、世間気質かたぎの善平は大いに面白からず思いぬ。第一不断からおれを軽蔑けいべつして、と伯父甥おいの間は次第にむずかしくならんとす。光代の母はもとからの学者嫌い、かかる折に口をつぐみてはいず。全体日ごろから情のない綱雄のこと、このくらいの仕打ちは何でもありませぬ。先だっての火事見舞いにも来てはくれず、この間の産の祝いも、忘れた時分にようやくよこすような仕儀と、世情に疎うとき綱雄の非は、それからそれと限りもなく数えられぬ。

Unable to bear it, Mitsuyo stole to call on Tsunao in secret. Tsunao was not at home. Mitsuyo waited and waited, as long as the hour allowed. Tsunao never came. Rising with a body ready to weep, she drooped her way home at last, only to learn that Tsunao had called in her absence. Ah, what a want of meeting, she wept in her heart.

堪えかねて光代はひそかに綱雄のもとを音訪おとずれぬ。綱雄は家にあらざりき。光代は時の許す限り待ちに待ちぬ。綱雄はついに帰らざりき。泣くばかりなる身を起して、しおしおとようやくわが家に着けば、綱雄はその留守に来たりしとなり。ああ何という縁のないことやら。と光代は心の中に泣きぬ。

Within, Zenpei was raging as if afire. At sight of his daughter he raised his voice, "Mitsuyo, the match with Tsunao is broken off. I cannot give you to such a perverse, incomprehensible fellow. Count all promises until now as no more."

奥に善平は烈火のごとく打ち腹立っていたり。娘を見るより声を励まして、光代、綱雄との縁は破談にしたぞ。あんな偏屈な、わけのわからぬ奴にお前をやることは出来ぬ。これまでの約束はこれぎりもうないものと思え。

*

＊　　　　＊　　　　＊

The canvassing over the disposal of the Kijima mine grew fiercer and fiercer between the two sides. The party belonging to the Kunitomo Shōkai answered move with move and yielded nothing, and with other rivals now grown to several besides, the so-called estimated price rose steadily till a figure of 350,000 yen was heard, and as the contest showed no sign of readily ending, even those in charge could no longer manage it, and so it came to the issuing of a single cabinet ordinance. As this ordinance laid down the rules for the lease or disposal of mines, even such applications for disposal as had been made must now be submitted anew under it.

木島鉱山払い下げについての運動は双互の間次第にその競争烈しく成り行き、国友商会に属する一派も、互いに対抗して相下らず、これに加うるに競争者の相手も今は数人すにんの多きに上りて、いわゆる見積りの価格なるもの、また次第に騰貴して、三十五万円の声を聞き、なおその競争の容易に止まるべくもあらざれば、さすがに当路の者も扱いかねて、ここに一片の閣令を出いだすこととなりぬ。この閣令にて鉱山の借区もしくは払い下げの条規を規定せるものなれば、かの払い下げ願書のごときも、さらに再びこれに拠よって呈出せざるを得ざるに至れり。

and so it came to the issuing of a single cabinet ordinance: A cabinet ordinance was a government order laying down rules without a Diet law. Here it resets all mine applications, so only papers filed under its terms, first first, will count.

It was the day before that ordinance was to appear in the Official Gazette. Tatsuya invited Zenpei, unknown to any other, to the upstairs of a certain machiai, an assignation house, and let him know how pressing matters had become, and told him that thus the last great victory stood once more before his eyes.

その閣令が官報紙上にまさに現われんとする前日なりき。辰弥は急に善平を人知れずある待合の楼上に招きて、事の危急に迫れるを知らしめ、かくして最後の大勝利また眼前に臨めるを告げたり。

to the upstairs of a certain machiai, an assignation house: A machiai was a house of assignation, often used for discreet political meetings. The earlier machiai affair is an earlier scandal of the same sort, now raising the risk of exposure.

"Now, as to that long-standing affair, the Kunitomo party is working as fiercely as we are, so it has become an extraordinary contest on both sides, and after all your long labors up to now, the minister in charge will likely issue a cabinet ordinance about tomorrow, intending to settle victory and defeat at once by it, but even this is a secret within secrets, and besides the minister in charge not a soul in the ministry knows of it."

さていよいよかねての事件も、こちらに負けず国友派の例の運動が烈しいので、双方非常の競争となって、あなたもこれまでは長々のお骨折りでありましたが、当局大臣も明日ごろは多分一篇の閣令を発して、それをもって勝敗を一時に極めさせる見込みだそうですが、しかしこれとても秘密の中の秘密で、当局大臣のほか省中のものは誰とて知っているものはないです。

Sending him a smile full of triumph, as if to say look at me, Tatsuya in high spirits quietly blew out his cigar smoke.

得意らしげに微笑を送って、われを見よと言わぬばかり辰弥は意気揚々と静かに葉巻の煙けぶりを吹きぬ。

"That you should have come to hear of so weighty a design," Miyoshi, who had listened with keen attention, lifted his face and said, "and under what manner of provisions shall the award be decided?"

それは大事な魂胆をお聞き及びになりましたので、と熱心に傾聴したる三好は顔を上げて、してそのことはどのような条規を具そなえているものに落札することになりましょうか。

"Now, there is nothing particularly difficult about those provisions. The reason for putting out the ordinance is simply this: whatever satisfies every condition laid down in the law shall promptly be granted the disposal, whatever does not shall have its papers rejected all together, and where there are several papers that satisfy the conditions in due form, the first application to arrive shall be adopted. That appears to be the arrangement. If we settle our counsels tonight without delay, and then, on the day this ordinance shows itself in the Official Gazette, lie in wait for it and send in our papers on the instant, the flag is sure to rise on our side."

さあその条規も格別に、これとむつかしいことはなく、ただその閣令を出す必要は、その法令を規定したすべての条件を具えたものには、早速払い下げを許可するが、そうでないものをば一斉に書面を却下することとし、また相当の条件を具えた書面が幾通もあるときは、第一着の願書を採用するという都合らしく、よっては今夜早速に、それらの相談を極めておき、いよいよ今度の閣令が官報紙上に見えた日に、それを待ち受けていて即刻に書面を出すことにしたならば、必ず旗はこちらの手に上がるに相違ありますまい。

"That being so, I should like to write out the application for the disposal this very night, but what perplexes me for the present is the way to write it. As to that..."

さようなわけであって見れば、早速今夜にも払い下げの願書を認めておきとうござりますが、まず差し当って困りますのはその願書の書き方ですが、それは。

"Thinking it might come to that, I made provision beforehand, and today at last I have come by a copy of the draft of the ordinance."

さあその辺の次第もあろうと、かねて手配りをいたしておいて、その閣令の草案も今日ようやく手に入れました。

"Why, that is..." Zenpei leaned forward before he knew it. "That is success heaped on success. Forgive my saying so, but I am, as ever, truly lost in admiration at your quick work."

や、それは、と善平はわれ知らず乗り出して、それは重々の上首尾で、失礼ながらあなたの機敏なお働きには、この善平いつもながら実に感服いたしまする。

What was in Tatsuya's flashing eyes now leapt up and seized the moment. As one who has got his prize he edged his knees forward, and with the copy of the draft taken out and shown in his hand, his tongue ran light. "Miyoshi-san, it is this. But a reward goes with this, you know."

ひらめき渡る辰弥の目の中にある物は今躍おどり上りてこの機を掴つかみぬ。得たりとばかり膝を進めて取り出し示す草案の写しを、手に持ちながら舌は軽く、三好さん、これですが、しかしこれには褒美ほうびがつきますぜ。

"Yes, yes, anything at all," Zenpei answered without a second thought, his heart already half taken by the draft.

善平は一も二もなく、心は半ば草案に奪われて、はいはい、それはもう何なりとも。

"It is nothing else," Tatsuya said with a grin, pressing in. "That riddle I spoke the other day. It is Mitsuyo-sama. You have for the most part guessed, I dare say, what it is I so earnestly desire. Is it agreed? I have taken her."

ほかではありませぬ。とにっこと打ち笑みて辰弥は突き入りぬ。この間、それ、謎のようなことを申した、あの光代様さ。懇望しているのは大抵お察しでしょう。ようございますか。お貰もらい申しましたよ。

*

＊　　　　＊　　　　＊

I do not know what happened after this. Tatsuya is said to have lately taken a wife. Who that wife may be. Again, in the depths of a certain study window there is one who would stake the latter half of a lifetime on the study of a great philosophy, and has taken the vexations of worldly experience and cast them away into the midst of a dust heap. Who that person may be. Wind above the reeds, the paulownia left with branches only. Tomorrow, upon whom shall it fall.

われはこの後のことを知らず。辰弥はこのごろ妻を迎えしとか。その妻は誰なるらん。とある書窓の奥にはまた、あわれ今後の半生をかけて、一大哲理の研究に身を投じ尽さんものと、世故の煩を将とって塵塚ちりづかのただ中へ投げ捨てたる人あり。その人は誰なるらん。荻おぎの上風、桐きりは枝ばかりになりぬ。明日は誰たが身の。

The Secretarytranslated from the Japanese

一One

二Two

三Three

四Four

五Five

六Six

七Seven