Kikugorō—"With the month's change the first representation takes place. It must be ascertained in the intervening time. Probably in four or five days it will be seen."
Yoshi—"That is so. Dōmo! The opponent being a ghost, will it appear to-night? Or has is ended by going away? That I don't know. Having found out its dwelling place, I'll send a postal-card."
Kikugorō—"Don't jest. As just said, I'll give you five ryō. Be careful; and please take a good look."
Yoshi—"Respectfully heard and understood. This time I'll get a good look at it."
Thus agreed Tsutayoshi returned that night to the Yoshiwara.
Yoshi—"A pleasing thing! Ten ryō wiped off, and five ryō received in addition. Thanks: a fine bit of work. It will be well if the rascal of a ghost comes to-night. Anyhow, just before the Bon it suffers distress beyond measure. For several days nothing has been seen of it. Its purpose may have changed: Yai! If the ghost is to appear, please show up at once. Don't it yet appear? Oi! Ghost!"
The ghost was not to be drawn out by this display of energy. Several days passed without the slightest sign of it. Every day Kikugorō came to the Bairin and sent for Tsutayoshi.
Kikugorō—"Yoshi San, has it not yet appeared?"
Yoshi—"Dōmo! The patron is vexed. Every day, every day, it is awaited; and not a sign of it. Feeling out of sorts, has it not died? That's my idea."
Kikugorō—"Oi! Oi! Yoshi San. Being dead, is it not a ghost? Once dead, does the rascal die again?"