I guess this long drought has damaged them. But only three of them have died."
Ichi went down to the garden.
It was said that the Okumura family belonged to the rich families among the roshoku or chief vassals. Since the Okumuras were samurai, their everyday life was humble, and their wealth could not have been detected from their way of life. But their stone garden, believed to have been copied from the garden of the Ryoan temple in Kyoto, and the construction of the house, which gave the impression of being palatial, seemed to be indicative of wealth. Ichi's father claimed he had selected such construction because this land suffered from flooding about once every five years (this figure was something of an exaggeration). But the same good taste was visible in their paintings and vases for incense, tea, and flowers, and in their furniture. Every object was carefully chosen, dignified, and expensive, and there was not a single one which did not have an interesting history.
Ichi had been about five years old when her parents said, "This house is a bit too harsh for a girl." They had made her a flower garden at the side of the house. Since then she had not visited the back garden and had no interest in seeing it.
The house has an atmosphere of quiet dignity everywhere and in every object, Ichi thought as she walked toward the flower garden. How different from the Kugatas—both the house and the people.
In the Kugata house there were many stains on the walls from old floods, and gashes in the pillars. The dishes, while beautiful, were not expensive. A black-and-white brush painting of a pine tree hung permanently in an alcove, and there was nothing which could be classified as an antique. Everything in the house, however, was always neat and clean. Not a few of the things which Ichi had brought with her in her trousseau—an oil vase from the Philippines,· coral, jade, or tortoise-shell hair pieces, a dressing box made of sandalwood, and other small items and dresses— clashed with the Kugata family's decor or scheme of things. Ichi had wisely put most of these things away in a storage chest. Now the difference between these two families was impressed upon her more clearly.
But what was the real reason for the big change in her family's attitude toward the Kugatas? What was behind her mother's suggestion that Ichi remain with her for a while? Kyunosuke had asked whether she was returning that day; his attitude too had seemed different. Something must have happened. These were not simple coincidences.
When Ichi reached the flower garden, she saw Bennosuke coming toward her, and she was seized by an uneasy feeling.
Bennosuke had the most delicate build of all the brothers, and his complexion was not good. He had deeply knit eyebrows and a gloomy expression. Normally he was gentle, but if he got angry he had a hot temper which nobody could control. Being the nearest to her age, this was the brother to whom she was closest.
Bennosuke came close to her, avoiding her eyes, and asked in a low voice, "Did mother tell you anything?"
"She asked me to stay with her for a while," Ichi said. "She was very insistent, as if she had some strong reason for it. Has something happened between our family and the Kugatas? Do you know something, Bennosuke?"
"Return to the Kugatas immediately." He was avoiding her eyes. "You'd better not come here for a while."
"You say I'd better not come here . . . then something has happened."
"I guess it will blow over peacefully. It's nothing you should worry about. Go home without saying anything to mother." He looked at his sister."I think you've gained weight. I hope there's nothing wrong with your health."
"I have a message from Kyunosuke. He says that he's longing to see the Seishukufu."
Bennosuke's eyes widened and looked astonished or frightened. "You'd better leave right away," he said. He left in the direction from which he had come.
Ichi was unable to understand the situation. But her uneasiness was growing, and she decided to follow her brother's advice without delay. His suggestion that she leave without saying anything to their mother hastened her decision.
She quietly called her maid, who had been waiting for her in the servants' room, and told her to get ready. She went out by the side gate, still wearing the kimono into which she had changed. She did not like to leave her wet things there, but she was sure that if she went in to get them she would be noticed by her sister-in-law, so she gave up the idea.
She left the house without being seen, but she was frightened, and hurried along the street as if she were being chased by someone. Her heart beat rapidly, and her eyes began to water, since the sun was still bright. Ichi wiped away the tears with the red cloth, but she was unable to wipe away her dark foreboding.
What has happened? What will happen now? she wondered. Should I have said good-bye to my mother? Why did Bennosuke look so surprised when he heard the word Seishukufu? I don't understand. But something unusual and possibly dreadful is going on.
"You're not walking fast enough." Ichi hurried her maid along with frequent urgings.
Footnote
* "The lady" is the wife of the master of the house, e.g., Ichi's mother. "The younger lady" here is the wife of a son of the family, i.e., one of Ichi's sisters-in-law. A married son and his family always lived in his parents' home.
* Hakama:a pleated skirt for men's formal wear.
3
She thought about her own family, which she had left without a word. She had immediately sent them a message that she had become ill. Her mother had sent her the bundle of clothes left behind, with a note urging Ichi to take care of herself. The messenger had returned the following day and inquired about her health.
When she told Kyunosuke that she had given his message to her brother, he too seemed unconcerned, saying, "Oh, thanks." When she put these things together in her mind, it all seemed very natural, and the only definite cause for her anxiety appeared to be Bennosuke's words. Now she was not even certain that the atmosphere of the Okumura house had changed.
Since the season of young leaves, Ichi had acquired the habit of waking up at midnight and being unable to go back to sleep for some time. She would lie wide awake and, should she try to force herself to sleep, would perspire in a strange way. Then she would feel a strong urge to see her husband's face, and her heart would become heavy.
Her husband slept in the next room, which was separated from hers by a sliding door. She would feel relieved if she could hear him sleeping or breathing, but he always slept peacefully, in a way that would have impressed even Iso, and he slept so quietly that it sometimes made her wonder whether he was awake. She suppressed her desire to see him, thinking that it was simply too indecent, but one night she couldn't suppress it any longer.
She got up and opened the door quietly. A light from the floor lamp, which had been dimmed, was shining softly on Shinzo, sleeping on his back with the bed cover pulled up to his chin. His long, tight face with clearly marked eyebrows made people feel his strong,
