“Far be it from me to go in opposition to your wishes,” he said, respectfully, “but in this thing only I beg you to let me have my own way. I am loath to cause you any uneasiness, but villain though he is he will surely not harm a man who comes to do him a good turn. There can be no danger.”
Gonzaemon, knowing from experience that further persuasions would be of no avail, reluctantly permitted his servant to do as he proposed. After sending one hundred ryō to his father by money order, he tied up the seven hundred ryō remaining in a little package, which he put in his bosom and once more set off on his travels. Contrary to his former experience, he had this time no little difficulty in finding the cottage of the highwayman; at last, however, he came to the door which in response to his call was again opened by the kind-hearted mistress. Kyūsuké bowed, and in polite terms thanked her for the favours he received at her hands on a former occasion. The woman was much surprised, but controlling her emotion she said:—
“My good traveller, I do not know how to apologise for what I did to you the other day. Nevertheless you have come again! I shall be still more grieved if you are robbed a second time. Fortunately for you,—though I am sorry—my husband is sick in bed. Please make all haste to retrace your steps.”
Kyūsuké’s kind heart was moved with compassion for the sick man and his wife.
“Indeed I sympathise with you both. Allow me to pay my respects to him and inquire after his health.”
“No, no, sir! He is suffering now but his avarice may be excited at the sight of you. Should he again demand all you have with you, you may again be inconvenienced.”
“Be quite easy on that score; I am here to bring him some money.”
“What do you mean?”