That night returning to the Yoshiwara, nothing happened. A space of five nights passed. His habit was to return early; and as his thin dress was wet with sweat he would change it. Going upstairs he took out the thin garment from the clothes-basket (tsuzura). With this in hand he was about to descend. Now as at one time the place had been a brothel the steps were broad and wide. Seated on the lower step, lying face downward, was somebody.
Yoshi—"Ah! Has it come?"
Being a courageous fellow, while speaking he raised his leg.
Yoshi—"You're in the way."
Pon: he gave a kick. There was not the slightest resistance. Forthwith—ha! it was gone.
Yoshi—"Dōmo! Remarkable: it is a strange occurrence."
While speaking he changed his robe and lit the fire. Making the water boil, with Echizen peat he heated some wine he had bought on the road and brought home with him. With tsukudani,[45] or something of that kind to eat, he drank and thought.
Yoshi—"To-day it is no product of my imagination. Who can that rascal be?"
Talking to himself, he drank the saké. Attending to preliminaries he would go to bed. He went to the necessary and opened the door. Some one stood there, with his back to him.
Yoshi—"Here again?"