50

It was growing dark. Kaoru slipped out and, making himself present-able, called the nun to her door, slightly open, as always. “How lucky that I should be here now. You will remember what I asked of you?”

“I had been waiting for an opportunity to tell her of your wishes. And so last year went by, and then this spring I saw them, mother and daughter, when they passed through on their way to Hatsuse. I did let drop a hint to the mother. A very inadequate substitute her daughter would be for our dead lady, she said. I knew you would be busy, and thought I would wait for another time, and that is why I did not tell you. Then I heard that she would be going to Hatsuse again this month. I'm sure she makes a point of stopping here because of her father. This time something, I don't know what, kept the mother in the city, and the girl came alone; and so it did not seem right to tell her about you.”

“I didn't want these country people to see me dressed as I am and so I swore my men to silence. But I know them, and doubt very much if they will have kept the secret. So what shall we do now? I disagree with you. I think the very fact that she is alone makes things easier. Tell her, if you will, please, that there must be a bond between us. How else are we to account for this meeting?”

“A most convenient bond, appearing for us straight from the blue.” She smiled. “I will tell her.” And she went inside.

“I had heard the call of that strange and lovely bird,*

And parted the grasses, hoping to find its kin.”

It was a poem that he whispered as if to himself; but she took it in to the lady.

{The Eastern Cottage}