To this question the carpenter replied: “He is the second son in a warrior family; but as far as I can see he is an idle, lazy man. There are many of his kind in the world, as you know; but he is rather an extreme type of the class. He doesn’t like to get up early nor to move about at any time. In spite of his being dependent on me for his support, he doesn’t hesitate to demand to live in luxury. And then he has the impudence to request me to recommend him to you.”
Bunzayemon meditated awhile and then said: “It’s rather interesting, what you tell me. At all events, bring him here.”
“Do you really mean to engage him? You had better give him up.”
To which the merchant replied: “When I see him I shall decide whether I shall engage him or not. Bring him here first!”
Then Seihachi, the carpenter, went home, fearing inwardly lest he should lose his customer by bringing this man to Bunzayemon’s notice, though he could not help acceding to the man’s request.
After a time Bunzayemon heard high words in the front of the shop. One of the voices he recognized as that of Seihachi, who was exclaiming: “Chobei San, you ought not to go in by the front door; manners should compel you to go to the back door. And don’t give yourself airs here; if you do I shall be disgraced.”
To this the other replied: “What are you talking about? We are not dogs; why should we go round to the kitchen?” And so saying, the young man stalked up to the shop called Kinokuniya, in spite of Seihachi’s remonstrance, and asked somewhat loudly: “Is the master at home?”
Hearing him, Bunzayemon entered the shop from the inner room.
No sooner did Seihachi see him than he began to apologize: “Master, I am more sorry than I can tell you, and I beg your pardon for this fellow’s rudeness.” As he spoke he was holding Chobei by the sleeve.
Bunzayemon, without heeding the apology, civilly welcomed the strange guest, saying: “Come in, sir.”