When she entered Masago’s room without knocking, as was her custom, she was astonished at the sudden start the girl gave. However, Ohano had such a story to pour out that she did not pause, but said in almost one breath:—
“Masago, I have the greatest news for you—it will make you the happiest of maidens in Kamakura—What! your bedclothes not put away yet? Well—but I must tell you all that happened, at once.”
She broke off breathlessly, her eyes upon the young girl’s face. Something unfamiliar and strange about it stopped her flying tongue. She stared at her in stupefied perplexity, her mouth wide open.
Sado-ko averted her face. With her head slightly turned, she stood in a listening attitude, as though waiting for Ohano to proceed.
“How strangely you looked at me just now!” gasped Ohano, and, leaning over, pulled her sleeve. “Masago! You have not spoken to me yet!”
“I have not had the chance,” said Sado-ko, in a stifled voice.
“Why—your voice is strange! What has happened, daughter?”
Sado-ko attempted to recover her composure, fighting against a sense of weakness that overpowered her at the thought that Ohano would penetrate the disguise. What mother would not have done so? she thought with fear. With some bravado she turned and faced Ohano.
“Nothing is the matter,” she declared. “You—you said you had some news to tell me, mother.” She bit her lip at the last word, as the thought came to her that this woman might not be the mother. The words of Ohano reassured her.
“Well, come and sit here,” she said. “I have much to tell.”
When Sado-ko was seated at her side with averted face, the words of the mother became piteous.
“Your mother always was so stupid,” said poor Ohano, “but, Masago, you really are much changed since your return from school. Yet truly—why, I never noticed it before.” She stopped as though to give the girl a chance to speak, but the latter remained silent.
“Now let me see,” said Ohano, “I will tell you from the first of all that happened. I know, Masago, you will be happy at my news. You see, we waited all the day and all the night for him to come and—”
“For _him_?” said Sado-ko, in a low voice.
“Junzo!” She turned toward Ohano with a sudden swiftness. Her eyes were dilated with trembling excitement, “Yes, yes—pray speak on.”