Again the old man paused to glance in a half-appealing way at his son Okido, the next in age to Junzo, who sat at his left side. On Kamura’s right the seat was vacant. This was Junzo’s place.
“Last night,” continued Kamura, “my son was certainly ill in health; he was pale of face and absent in both look and speech. I set it down to the most natural mood of youth about to wed. We all, good sirs, have felt that happy sense of melancholy peculiar to this stage of our careers.”
Some of the guests smiled, and nodded their heads, assenting to this fact; others looked at one another somewhat dubiously.
“And so,” continued their host, “we thought it wisdom not to broach the subject of our council. When morning came Junzo was still pale and constrained. His mother spoke in delicate terms of the council planned, and he mildly acquiesced in all she said. At noon he barely touched his meal. He appeared so listless, that no member of the family had the heart to break upon his meditations. Hence, when he walked in seeming moodiness about the gardens, then suddenly turned and wandered toward the hills, I simply bade my son Okido follow him at respectful distance. To be more brief, good friends, it seems that Junzo followed a straight course along the hills, and, coming to the palace walls of Aoyama, ventured beyond the gates. Okido, being an obedient and filial son, hastened home to acquaint his father with the facts. Since then my son has not returned.”
“He ventured beyond the palace gates!” exclaimed Yamada Kwacho. “Had he a pass, Kamura?”
“I do not know,” said the old man, simply. “You have already heard my son has fame at court. I have accounted for his absent state of mind by the fact that, being young and new to favor, his mind is filled with thought of his art and work.”
“And he has not returned?” queried sharply an uncle.
“Not yet,” said Kamura, bowing courteously.
“I trust he has not come to harm,” said another relative, with concern. “It is said the palace once again is opened, and that the noble Princess Sado-ko is there in maiden retirement.”
“There is time for his return,” declared Kamura, with dignity. “I trust you all will stay with me. What say you, my good friend Kwacho?”