Said Namishima, Arisuga's uncle from Kobé, to Kiomidzu, his uncle from Osaka:—
"The flying of the august carp has been honorably auspicious and doubtless the gods now design to make him, in spirit, unlike his regretted father."
"It was the gods' punishment upon him for fighting against his emperor—that his son should miserably be an onna-jin," whispered Kiomidzu.
"Nevertheless the honorable picture has aided greatly in making him adore the emperor," protested Namishima.
"Yes, the money for its painting was augustly well spent," agreed Kiomidzu, wisely shaking his head.
"Some day he will know, notwithstanding, that his father was a rebel. Others know. It cannot unhappily be kept from him always."
"No."
"Perhaps then we shall be augustly dead—"
Both bowed and murmured again.
"And beyond his most excellent vengeance."