“Then do you really engage me?” And as he spoke Chobei quickly moved backward a little and bowed to the floor, in the act of showing respect and thanks to his superior.
Bunzayemon then put on a lordly air and asked him: “Chobei, are you skilled in working the abacus?”[[30]]
[30]. The Chinese reckoning-board, consisting of beads or balls strung on wires or rods set in a frame.
“I don’t know much about it,” he replied, as he placed both his hands on the matting in the attitude of respect, “because I was bred in a warrior family.”
“If that is so you’ll be of no use in the shop,” said the master, scornfully. “What can you do, then?”
To which Chobei answered, “I know how to turn a lot of money, sir.”
“That’s interesting!” replied the master.
The carpenter, stricken dumb with astonishment while the negotiation was going on, said at last, when Chobei had gone, “Sir, have you really engaged him? I can’t tell you how relieved I am. I’ve been greatly troubled by the thought that I should be disgraced on account of him. Please tell me why were you so civil to him at first?”
“You don’t understand, I see,” said Bunzayemon, laughing. “Before I engaged him he was my guest, and as he belongs to the warrior class, his social rank is entitled to consideration. But when I have once engaged him, then I am his master, and he is my servant, and I must treat him accordingly.”
“I see, I see,” said the carpenter. “That is a fine way of looking at it. Well, then, suppose I go to another man’s house, I may act in a like haughty manner myself before I get engaged!”