Therefore, when Nehachibana came to his father's home Tetsutaisho did not at all worry about the kind or quality of dowry which she brought. It was only her tender innocence that he coveted, and that only for his enjoyment. For her he had no sympathy, nothing to offer. She must take her place, as it was, and be contented. He had not even thought of an heir--that was a thing which as yet had not occurred to him, and thus it offered no encouragement to his wife.
There was, notwithstanding, one in the family, his mother, who had looked forward with a great deal of interest to the coming of the bride's household effects, particularly the presents, and as they arrived and were unpacked she grumbled at each, no matter what the kind or cost. Nothing pleased her, and she said:
"They are fine enough, but lack in quality, I know. And this Maido, who is he, that my son, my Tetsutaisho, should so honour him as to take his daughter in marriage? Is this what I am to get? And that without a voice? Verily the hand of misfortune falls heavily. Beauty and treasure--rags and fiddlesticks! A joros[10] would have brought me good returns. And what is this I hear all the time? Goddess Benten?--Nehachibana! Hist! Better try your prayers on Kwannon. The goddess of mercy is more likely your need: the goddess of love, your wish."
"O my most honourable mother-in-law, O my gracious Fukurokuju," said Nehachibana, meekly. "Myself I most humbly give you, for the god Oshaka has willed it. May the god Daikaku smile fortune upon you! My Benzaiten, my wealth surrender. My Kaminaraba, my heart I gave. O Amida, I pray you bring me always hard suffering if I now or ever keep my mother-in-law in the least ignorance."
"Well you may be proud to serve. Few wives have husbands who have mothers who are so exceedingly blessed by the sweet, beautiful god of good nature, Hoti," answered the vain mother-in-law.
"I take my place with much appreciation, and I now consecrate my life to the happy service of my most lovely mother-in-law," said Nehachibana, bowing low.
"Scissors," said the other, while they both scowled away.
Nehachibana's husband was at first exceedingly attentive to her, and while he did not concern himself about her troubles at home he rather felt that he had gained a prize by taking Ikamon's advice and marrying the daimyo's daughter. He soon discovered that he had not only served a friend, but improved his own chances; for, in these days when disastrous clouds were forming so rapidly, any connection which brooked a stronger alliance with a house like that of Maido's meant certain favour to those concerned.