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 c.h.i.n.k, 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.