16

To~ no Chu~jo~ took the daughter at court into his confidence. They did what they could to keep the secret, but gossip is what people like best. Rumors spread and presently reached the ears of his more unruly daughter.

“So Father has a new girl. Isn't that nice. So she has both of them to look after her, Father and Genji. Just imagine. So her mother's a poor thing like my own.”

Her sister could think of nothing to say

“I have no doubt,” said Kashiwagi, “that she deserves all the attention she is getting. But you should not be quite so open about it, my dear. Does it not occur to you that people might be listening?”

“Oh, do be quiet, please. I know as much about it as the next one. I know that Father's going to send her to the palace and make her the grand high wardress. I've worked and slaved and hoped he would do something like that for me. I've done things when everybody else said no. And see how my own sister treats me.”

They had to smile. “I thought of asking for the position myself when it came vacant. But don't you think it is rather bold of you to announce your candidacy so openly?”

The Omi lady was very annoyed indeed. “I know I don't belong in this fine company. You. You're the one. You came hunting me out and now you make fun of me. How can a body be in a place like this? Terrible is what it is. Terrible, terrible.” She withdrew to a corner of the room, whence she sent sidelong glances in the direction of her brothers. They may not have been spiteful glances, exactly, but they did suggest someone with strong opinions and purposes.

Kashiwagi no longer felt quite so amused. She was right: it would have been better for everyone if he had left her in Omi.

“I don't think that anyone is making fun of you,” said Ko~bai, standing up to leave. “We do appreciate you. You are such a good worker. Just quietly bide your time. That is all you have to do. With your energy you should have no trouble making snow of the largest boulder. I am sure that all your prayers will be answered.”

“Though perhaps it might be better to stay shut up in your cave in the meantime,” * said Kashiwagi, also getting up to leave.

“Terrible, terrible.” She was shedding angry tears. “My very own brothers. But I am working and slaving for you,” she said, turning to her sister. “You understand even if they don't.”

And indeed she did work very hard, plunging into tasks from which the lowest menials tended to pull back. She dashed here and dashed there and quite lost herself in her labors. She once more announced her availability should the emperor wish to appoint her wardress of the ladies' apartments. Her sister wondered whether she could be serious.