37

The younger women would have preferred just to listen.

With music and other diversions to break the monotony, he stayed at Nijo~ for some days. He sent word to Rokujo~ that a defilement had made a period of abstinence necessary. The lady there thought the excuse al-together too transparent.

One day Yu~giri himself stopped by, on his way home from court.

“He always makes such a parade of it,” grumbled Niou, going to the main hall.

“What fond memories this place does call up. I ought to come often, I suppose, but, not having much by way of excuse— ” Yu~giri talked of the old days for a time, and when he left he took Niou with him.

It was indeed a parade, row upon row of sons and courtiers. Nak-anokimi's women looked out and sighed, having before them evidence that their mistress faced impossible competition. “But what a _really_ handsome gentleman he is,” said one of them. “What a really handsome gentleman. He has that platoon of sons, each as good as the rest, and all of them so young and healthy; but he outshines them all.”

Others were less pleased. “I don't think it's in very good taste, really, making such a show of things. Our poor lady has troubles enough already.”

Nakanokimi had her own thoughts. What she had seen over the years had been sufficient to convince her that she was not meant to mingle with these grand people. She was an insignificant little thing, as the world could plainly see. It would be better to return quietly to her mountains.

And so, like other years, this one came to an end.