No More Learning

HIS WIFE.

TARAUKUWAZHIYA, their servant.




ABSTRACTION

Scene I. --A Room in a Private House in Kiyauto


HUSBAND. --I am a resident in the suburbs of the metropolis. On the
occasion of a recent journey down[170] East, I was served (at a
tea-house) in the post-town of Nogami, in the province of Mino, by a
girl called Hana, who, having since then heard of my return to the
capital, has followed me up here, and settled down at Kita-Shira-kaha,
where she expects me this evening according to a promise made by
letter. But my vixen of a wife has got scent of the affair and thus
made it difficult for me to go. So what I mean to do is to call her,
and tell her some pretty fable that may set me free. Halloo! halloo!
are you there, pray? are you there?

WIFE. --So it seems you are pleased to call me. What may it be that
makes you thus call me?

HUSBAND. --Well, please to come in.

WIFE. --Your commands are obeyed.

HUSBAND. --My reason for calling you is just simply this: I want to
tell you how much my spirits have been affected by continual dreams
that I have had. That is why I have called you.

WIFE. --You are talking rubbish. Dreams proceed from organic
disturbance, and do not come true; so pray don't trouble your head
about them.

HUSBAND. --What you say is quite correct. Dreams, proceeding as they do
from organic disturbance, do not come true nine times out of ten.
Still, mine have affected my spirits to such an extent, that I think
of making some pilgrimage or other to offer up prayers both on your
behalf and on my own.

WIFE. --Then where shall you go?

HUSBAND. --I mean (to say nothing of those in the metropolis and in the
suburbs) to worship at every Shintau shrine and every Buddhist temple
throughout the land.

WIFE. --No, no! I won't allow you to go out of the house for a single
hour. If you are so completely bent upon it, choose some devotion that
can be performed at home.

HUSBAND. --Some devotion to be performed at home? What devotion could
it be?

WIFE. --Burning incense on your arm or on your head. [171]

HUSBAND. --How thoughtlessly you do talk! What! is a devotion like that
to suit _me_--a layman if ever there was one?

WIFE. --I won't tolerate any devotion that cannot be performed at home.

HUSBAND. --Well, I never! You _are_ one for talking at random. Hang it!
what devotion shall it be? [_He reflects a few moments. _] Ah! I have
it! I will perform the devotion of abstraction.

WIFE. --Abstraction? What is that?

HUSBAND. --Your want of familiarity with the term is but natural. It is a
devotion that was practised in days of old by Saint Daruma[172]--(blessings
on him! ) you put your head under what is called the "abstraction blanket,"
and obtain salvation by forgetting all things past and to come--a most
difficult form of devotion.

WIFE. --About how long does it take?

HUSBAND. --Well, I should say about a week or two.

WIFE. --That won't do, either, if it is to last so many days.

HUSBAND. --Then for how long would my darling consent to it without
complaining?

WIFE. --About one hour is what I should suggest; but, however, if you
can do it in a day, you are welcome to try.

HUSBAND. --Never, never! This important devotion is not a thing to be
so easily performed within the limits of a single day. Please, won't
you grant me leave for at least a day and a night?

WIFE. --A day and a night?

HUSBAND. --Yes.

WIFE. --I don't much relish the idea; but if you are so completely bent
upon it, take a day and a night for your devotion.

HUSBAND. --Really and truly?

WIFE. --Really and truly.

HUSBAND. --Oh! that is indeed too delightful! But I have something to
tell you: know then, that if a woman so much as peep through a chink,
to say nothing of her coming into the actual room where the devotee is
sitting, the spell of the devotion is instantly broken. So be sure not
to come to where I am.

WIFE. --All right. I will not come to you. So perform away.

HUSBAND. --Well, then, we will meet again after it shall have been
happily accomplished.

WIFE. --I shall have the pleasure of seeing you when it is over.

HUSBAND AND WIFE. --Good-by! good-by! [_She moves away. _

HUSBAND. --I say!

WIFE. --What is it?

HUSBAND. --As I mentioned before, mind you don't come to me. We have
the Buddhist's warning words: "When there is a row in the kitchen, to
be rapt in abstraction is an impossibility. "[173] So whatever you do,
do not come to me.

WIFE. --Please feel no uneasiness. I shall not think of intruding.

HUSBAND. --Well, then, we shall meet again when the devotion is over.

WIFE. --When it is done, I shall have the pleasure of seeing you.

HUSBAND AND WIFE. --Good-by! Good-by!

HUSBAND [_laughing_]. --What fools women are, to be sure! To think of
the delight of her taking it all for truth, when I tell her that I am
going to perform the religious devotion of abstraction for one whole
day and night! Taraukuwazhiya, are you there? halloo?

SERVANT. --Yes, sir!

HUSBAND. --Are you there?

SERVANT. --At your service.

HUSBAND. --Oh! you have been quick in coming.

SERVANT. --You seem, master, to be in good spirits.

HUSBAND. --For my good spirits there is a good reason. I have made, as
you know, an engagement to go and visit Hana this evening. But as my
old woman has got scent of the affair, thus making it difficult for me
to go, I have told her that I mean to perform the religious devotion
of abstraction for a whole day and night--a very good denial, is it
not? for carrying out my plan of going to see Hana!

SERVANT. --A very good device indeed, sir.

HUSBAND. --But in connection with it, I want to ask you to do me a good
turn. Will you?

SERVANT. --Pray, what may it be?

HUSBAND. --Why, just simply this: it is that I have told my old woman
not to intrude on my devotions; but, being the vixen that she is, who
knows but what she may not peep and look in? in which case she would
make a fine noise if there were no semblance of a religious practice
to be seen; and so, though it is giving you a great deal of trouble, I
wish you would oblige me by taking my place until my return.

SERVANT. --Oh! it would be no trouble; but I shall get such a scolding
if found out, that I would rather ask you to excuse me.

HUSBAND. --What nonsense you talk! Do oblige me by taking my place; for
I will not allow her to scold you.

SERVANT. --Oh sir! that is all very well; but pray excuse me for this
time.

HUSBAND. --No, no! you must please do this for me; for I will not so
much as let her point a finger at you.

SERVANT. --Please, please let me off!

HUSBAND. --Gracious goodness! The fellow heeds what my wife says, and
won't heed what I say myself! Do you mean that you have made up your
mind to brave me?

[_Threatening to beat him. _

SERVANT. --Oh! I will obey.

HUSBAND. --No, no! you mean to brave me!

SERVANT. --Oh no, sir! surely I have no choice but to obey.

HUSBAND. --Really and truly?

SERVANT. --Yes, really and truly.

HUSBAND. --My anger was only a feint. Well, then, take my place,
please.

SERVANT. --Yes, to be sure; if it is your desire, I will do so.

HUSBAND. --That is really too delightful. Just stop quiet while I set
things to rights for you to sit in abstraction.

SERVANT. --Your commands are laid to heart.

HUSBAND. --Sit down here.

SERVANT. --Oh!
what an unexpected honor!

HUSBAND. --Now, then; I fear it will be uncomfortable, but oblige me by
putting your head under this "abstraction blanket. "

SERVANT. --Your commands are laid to heart.

HUSBAND. --Well, it is scarcely necessary to say so; but even if my old
woman should tell you to take off the abstraction blanket, be sure not
to do so until my return.

SERVANT. --Of course not. I should not think of taking it off. Pray
don't be alarmed.

HUSBAND. --I will be back soon.

SERVANT. --Please be good enough to return quickly.

HUSBAND. --Ah! that is well over! No doubt Hana is waiting impatiently
for me. I will make haste and go.

WIFE. --I am mistress of this house. I perfectly understood my partner
the first time he asked me not to come to him on account of the
religious devotion which he was going to perform. But there is
something suspicious in his insisting on it a second time with a
"Don't come to look at me! don't come to look at me! " So I will just
peep through some hidden corner, and see what the thing looks like.
[_Peeping. _] What's this? Why, it seems much more uncomfortable than I
had supposed! [_Coming in and drawing near. _] Please, please; you told
me not to come to you, and therefore I had intended not to do so; but
I felt anxious, and so I have come. Won't you lift off that
"abstraction blanket," and take something, if only a cup of tea, to
unbend your mind a little? [_The figure under the blanket shakes its
head. _] You are quite right. The thought of my being so disobedient
and coming to you after the care you took to tell me not to intrude
may justly rouse your anger; but please forgive my rudeness, and do
please take that blanket off and repose yourself, do! [_The figure
shakes its head again. _] You may say no again and again, but I _will_
have it off. You _must_ take it off. Do you hear? [_She pulls it off,
and Taraukuwazhiya stands exposed. _] What! you, you rascal? Where has
my old man gone? Won't you speak? Won't you speak?

SERVANT. --Oh! I know nothing.

WIFE. --Oh! how furious I am! Oh! how furious I am! Of course he must
have gone to that woman's house. Won't you speak? Won't you speak? I
shall tear you in pieces?

SERVANT. --In that case, how can I keep anything from you? Master has
walked out to see Miss Hana.

WIFE. --What! _Miss_ Hana, do you say? Say, _Minx_, say _Minx_.
Gracious me, what a rage I am in! Then he really has gone to Hana's
house, has he?

SERVANT. --Yes, he really has gone there.

WIFE. --Oh! when I hear he has gone to Hana's house, I feel all ablaze,
and oh! in such a passion! oh! in such a passion! [_She bursts out
crying. _

SERVANT. --Your tears are but natural.

WIFE. --Ah! I had meant not to let you go if you had kept it from me.
But as you have told the truth I forgive you. So get up.

SERVANT. --I am extremely grateful for your kindness.

WIFE. --Now tell me, how came you to be sitting there?

SERVANT. --It was master's order that I should take his place; and so,
although it was most repugnant to me, there was no alternative but for
me to sit down, and I did so.

WIFE. --Naturally. Now I want to ask you to do me a good turn. Will
you?

SERVANT. --Pray, what may it be?

WIFE. --Why, just simply this: you will arrange the blanket on top of
me just as it was arranged on the top of you; won't you?

SERVANT. --Oh! your commands ought of course to be laid to heart; but I
shall get such a scolding if the thing becomes known, that I would
rather ask you to excuse me.

WIFE. --No, no! I will not allow him to scold you; so you must really
please arrange me.

SERVANT. --Please, please, let me off this time.

WIFE. --No, no! you must arrange me, as I will not so much as let him
point a finger at you.

SERVANT. --Well, then, if it comes to my getting a scolding, I count on
you, ma'am, as an intercessor.

WIFE. --Of course. I will intercede for you; so do you please arrange
me.

SERVANT. --In that case, be so good as to sit down here.

WIFE. --All right.

SERVANT. --I fear it will be uncomfortable, but I must ask you to put
your head under this.

WIFE. --Please arrange me so that he cannot possibly know the
difference between us.

SERVANT. --He will never know. It will do very nicely like this.

WIFE. --Will it?

SERVANT. --Yes.

WIFE. --Well, then! do you go and rest.

SERVANT. --Your commands are laid to heart.

[_He moves away. _

WIFE. --Wait a moment, Taraukuwazhiya!

SERVANT. --Yes, ma'am.

WIFE. --It is scarcely necessary to say so, but be sure not to tell him
that it is I.

SERVANT. --Of course not, I should not think of telling him.

WIFE. --It has come to my ears that you have been secretly wishing for
a purse and silk wrapper. [174] I will give you one of each which I
have worked myself.

SERVANT. --I am extremely grateful for your kindness.

WIFE. --Now be off and rest.

SERVANT. --Yes, ma'am.

_Enter husband, singing as he walks along the road. _

Why should the lonely sleeper heed
The midnight bell, the bird of dawn?
But ah! they're sorrowful indeed
When loosen'd was the damask zone.

Her image still, with locks that sleep
Had tangled, haunts me, and for aye;
Like willow-sprays where winds do sweep,
All tangled too, my feelings lie.

As the world goes, it rarely happens even with the most ardent secret
love; but in my case I never see her but what I care for her more and
more:--

'Twas in the spring-time that we first did meet,
Nor e'er can I forget my flow'ret sweet.

Ah well! ah well! I keep talking like one in a dream, and meantime
Taraukuwazhiya is sure to be impatiently awaiting me. I must get home.
How will he have been keeping my place for me? I feel a bit uneasy.
[_He arrives at his house. _] Halloo! halloo! Taraukuwazhiya! I'm back!
I'm back! [_He enters the room. _] I'm just back. Poor fellow! the time
must have seemed long to you. There now! [_Seating himself. _] Well, I
should like to tell you to take off the "abstraction blanket"; but you
would probably feel ashamed at being exposed. [175] Anyhow I will
relate to you what Hana said last night if you care to listen. Do you?
[_The figure nods acquiescence. _] So you would like to? Well, then,
I'll tell you all about it: I made all the haste I could, but yet it
was nearly dark before I arrived; and I was just going to ask
admittance, my thoughts full of how anxiously Hana must be waiting for
me in her loneliness, saying, perhaps, with the Chinese poet[176]:--

He promised but he comes not, and I lie on my pillow in the fifth
watch of the night:--
The wind shakes the pine trees and the bamboos; can it be my beloved?

when there comes borne to me the sound of her voice, humming as she
sat alone:--

"The breezes through the pine trees moan,
The dying torch burns low;
Ah me! 'tis eerie all alone!
Say, will he come or no? "

So I gave a gentle rap on the back door, on hearing which she cried
out: "Who's there? who's there? " Well, a shower was falling at the
time. So I answered by singing:--

Who comes to see you Hana dear,
Regardless of the soaking rain?
And do your words, Who's there, who's there?
Mean that you wait for lovers twain?

to which Hana replied:--

"What a fine joke! well, who can tell?
On such a dark and rainy night
Who ventures out must love me well,
And I, of course, must be polite,
And say: Pray sir, pass this way. "

And, with these words, she loosened the ring and staple with a
cling-a-ring, and pushed open the door with a crick-a-tick; and while
the breeze from the bamboo blind poured towards me laden with the
scent of flowers, out she comes to me, and, "At your service, sir,"
says she, "though I am but a poor country maid. " So in we went, hand
in hand, to the parlor. But yet her first question, "Who's there? " had
left me so doubtful as to whether she might not be playing a double
game, that I turned my back on her, and said crossly that I supposed
she had been expecting a number of lovers, and that the thought quite
spoiled my pleasure. But oh! what a darling Hana is! Coming to my side
and clasping tight my hand, she whispered, saying:

"If I do please you not, then from the first
Better have said that I do please you not;
But wherefore pledge your troth, and after turn
Against me? Alas! alas!