And Matsumoto said:—
"I have heard him called 'Onna-Jin.'"
"Girl-Boy!" laughed Jokichi. "So have I."
"He used to carry a samisen about with him when he was a child—he and little Yoné, Baron Mutsu's daughter."
This came from Kitsushima, who added:—
"I have seen them at Mukojima, wandering under the cherry-boughs, hand in hand, and singing childish songs!"
"I have seen him doing that later, where the lanterns shine in Geisha street, and the little girl was not Yoné."
They all laughed. This was not seriously against him.
"Having settled it that he practises the art of music, I will surprise you with the information that he also pretends to the sister art of poesy," laughed Asami. "He is the author of 'The Great Death'!"
"What!"