22

Nakanokimi relayed certain of his remarks. “And once he has made up his mind to something, it becomes an obsession with him. Nothing can budge him. Yes, I know that his life is complicated; but if you really have thought of sending her off to a nunnery, you have nothing to lose by giving him a try.”

“Yes, it is true that I've thought of sending her where'no birds fly singing overhead.'+ I've thought of it as the only way to protect her. But now I see that just being near him, just being one of his servants, would give new meaning to life; and if that is the effect he has upon me, think what he must do to a young girl. But I don't know—she is such an unattractive little thing—we might just be asking for trouble. Life is not good to us women. All of us, high and low, have to live with unhappiness, in this life and all the others. I want to weep, just thinking about it. But I leave everything to you. I know you will do the right thing.”

“As I have said, he has been honesty itself through the years.” Nakanokimi sighed. This new responsibility was not entirely welcome. “But we can never be sure of the future.” She said no more.

The next morning a carriage came for the governor's wife, and with it a strongly worded letter. The governor was angry.

“I shouldn't, I know, but I do leave everything to you. Keep her hidden for a while. She is useless, but keep her with you, and teach her what she needs to know. I'll be thinking what to do with her, whether to send her oft to some cave among the rocks,# or what.” She was in tears as she got into her carriage.

This was Ukifune's first separation from her mother, and she was of course sad; and yet the prospect of living with her sister for a time in a bright, fashionable house was not unpleasing.