26
Eminent Authors of Japan
- is quite natural that the clever and wise are loyal.
- Gohei.—What are you saying? Do you dare to insinuate that I play such a part as a lady’s escort with such an idea in my mind?
- Tomo.—I do not mean that at first you had such an idea. I do not doubt for a moment that your offer to help and accompany Madam Okuni was done from your sense of duty towards your late master … I mean only that it is not very hard to be loyal under such circumstances. To have such a sweet duty, to such a man as I, would indeed make me a happy man.
- Gohei.—You have brought misery to many through your wicked act, so how can you understand our affections, or the miseries we have been through?
- Tomo.—But, Gohei, though you have suffered many hardships, you have had much to compensate you. When your lady was ill at Utsunomiya, you played the part of a nurse, you were always at her side, and you tenderly waited on all her needs.
- Gohei.—What are you saying now? What do you mean?
- Tomo.—You both seemed to me a very friendly mistress and retainer, and secretly I was most envious of your position …
- Gohei.—Your words are insinuating! Why do you talk such nonsense? Do you wish to put me to shame?
- Tomo.—Madam, it was very fortunate for you to fall ill during your long journey which you started to
