The Samurai and the Long-Nosed Devils by Lensey Namioka

not look like a person who received a reprimand with good grace.
    To his surprise, Lady Yuki’s mouth dropped open, and after a second she burst out laughing. “Why, you’re right! My men really did show a shameful lack of self-control!” Her eyes were bright as she looked at Zenta. “But you dealt very severely with Kotaro. Do you know what it’s like to keep your head covered all day long in this weather? It might have been kinder if you had simply killed him.”
    Matsuzo looked suspiciously at Lady Yuki. “The little fox is trying to fascinate Zenta,” he said to himself. “And the horrible thing is that she seems to be succeeding.”
    Before Zenta could reply to Lady Yuki, the other serving girl came hurrying to them. “Lady Yuki, you father is very impatient at the delay. He wishes to return home immediately.” “Oh, very well, tell him I’m coming,” said Lady Yuki, pouting. She had one more shaft for Chiyo, however. “I’m relieved to hear that you’re not plotting against us, Chiyo. But I sometimes wonder what you are really doing in our household. A girl of your talents is wasted as a serving lady.”
    Watching Lady Yuki’s retreating back, Matsuzo felt the need to wipe his brow. “I don’t think your mistress likes you, Chiyo. What if she reports our meeting to her father? It could look even worse than gossiping with Maria.”
    In Chiyo’s glance at her mistress there was contempt and, surprisingly, a touch of pity. “I don’t think she will report this talk. If I know her character, she is more likely to keep it a secret in order to have a hold over me. It would amuse her to tease me with it.”
    Matsuzo was shocked. “It must be very hard to work for a cruel mistress like this! Can’t you ask Hambei to find a pleasanter position for you?”
    â€œI don’t mind,” said Chiyo, and it was true that she didn’t look downtrodden in the least. “Lord Fujikawa treats me well enough, and Lady Yuki’s only trouble is boredom. That’s why she toys with Kotaro until that poor wretch has lost his head over her completely.” “Perhaps marriage will put an end to her boredom,” said Zenta. His eyes were on Lady Yuki’s graceful figure, and to Matsuzo’s alarm,
    his expression was wistful.
    â€œOn the contrary, the boredom will be much worse after her marriage,” said Chiyo. “Lord Fujikawa is arranging a match with a nobleman whose only interest in life is tea.”
    â€œTea?” exclaimed Matsuzo.
    â€œHe spends hours every day studying tea ceremony. It is whispered everywhere that he feels no woman has the fascination of a clay tea bowl or bamboo scooper.”
    â€œDecadent Miyako nobleman,” muttered Matsuzo.
    â€œLady Yuki hates the thought of this marriage,” continued Chiyo. Before she could say more, they heard commands given for departure. “I must go,” she said hurriedly. “I’ll try to get word to you if I hear any news about the gun.”
    She left not a moment too soon. The samurai were all standing at attention as Lord Fujikawa made ready to enter his sedan chair. He was a tall, stooped man with lines of ill-humor deeply scored on his face. Even from a little distance away, Matsuzo could tell that he was hot and angry.
    Lord Fujikawa’s ill-humor needed a victim, and he rounded on his daughter. “Where have you been?” he demanded, without bothering to lower his voice. “I’ve been waiting since the end of the meal!”
    Receiving no answer, he became angrier still. “You’ve been allowed to run completely wild after your mother’s death! I see that I’ve been delaying the completion of your marriage negotiations too long. It’s time to get you married off and out of my house!”
    Matsuzo had no particular liking for Lady Yuki, but at her public humiliation, even