Love and Honor Page #2

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Yes. This is no time for tears.

Tokuhei...

Light the oven.

Missus...

If there's nothing else,

I'll be going.

Tokuhei...

Something's bothering me.

The master's always been

rather bashful.

He hardly ever meets my eyes

when he talks to me.

But when I was feeding him the gruel,

he was looking straight at me.

Just staring at me

while he talked.

Why?

Because you're so beautiful.

Don't be silly!

No, I mean it...

Well...

Until tomorrow.

The frogs have started singing!

Here's your medicine.

Be careful, it's hot.

You're like me.

Your tongue can't take heat.

Husband...

Could it be

that you can't see anything?

I didn't want you worried...

That's right.

All I can tell is

if it's light or dark.

Why?!

Why wouldn't you tell me...

a thing like that?

We're man and wife!

You didn't want me worried?

Why would you hold back from me?

I want to be worried

about you!

About anything to do with you!

You do?

You feel that way about me?

I'll call Dr Gensai tomorrow.

He'll have something.

Don't worry.

Soon you'll be able to see again.

I'll fix you some more medicine

right now.

A man trained in the martial arts

always has a very strong pulse.

If you've come this far,

there's no more need to fear.

Keep on with the same medicine.

Doctor...

About my eyes...

When will I be able to see again?

A high fever like that

always has after-effects.

Do you know 'night blindness'?

Yes.

You can't see when it gets dark.

Your case is similar.

There's no need to worry.

Nourishment and rest

are the main things.

Don't be in a rush.

I'll make some more medicine.

Come for it later.

All right.

Well, Squire Mimura...

Thank you. That's a relief.

Take care.

About your husband's eyes...

Toxin from that shellfish

often causes blindness.

My medical books

describe his case exactly.

Missus...

Yes?

Further treatment is useless.

All that's left is to resign yourself.

I'm terribly sorry.

Now only the Gods can help you.

I guess I'm the one

who'll have to tell him.

You're awake...

I was dreaming about you.

Me?

You were laughing,

with a bird on your hand.

I tried to tell you it would fly away,

but my voice wouldn't come.

That woke me up.

Next thing

I heard your voice in the dark.

It's when I wake up

the world goes dark.

That's how it is now.

Your medicine.

It'll help your eyes.

The best medicine tastes worst, eh?

Yes.

Kayo...

It's firefly season.

Yes.

Are they out?

No, not yet.

No?

Did you hear about Mimura?

That he's gone blind?

What a disaster!

How's he going to earn a living?

It's not like he can become a masseur

or a ballad singer...

No.

He's not a lucky man.

What's that you've...

Silence!

'Hundred Prayers' Stone

Excuse me...

Are you not the wife

of Squire Mimura Shinnojo?

Yes, sir.

I am Shimada Toya.

Do you remember me?

I often used to see you

when I was attending the fencing dojo.

Yes!

You'd have been on your way home

from the temple school.

You were renowned as

the prettiest girl in the castle town.

I understand your husband

has met with great misfortune.

According to Dr Gensai

he will never see the light again.

Is this true?

Yes.

He was doing his duty,

but still, it is most unfortunate.

You have my deepest sympathies.

I'm sure you have concerns

about how you will get by.

I will help.

You are welcome to call on me

at my home.

Please feel free.

Excuse me.

Thank you.

Missus, I've done a terrible thing!

What?

While you were out,

the master called me.

In a very severe tone...

he said, 'I'm sure Dr Gensai

said something about my eyes.

'Tell me what it is,

and you'd better not be lying.'

Those blind eyes glared at me.

He looked just like his late father.

I was so scared

I went and told him everything.

I'm sorry.

All right.

Where is the master now?

On the veranda

listening to the birds, like always.

I'm back.

I brought you something sweet.

Not now.

Tokuhei told me.

I hid the truth from you

about your eyes.

I'm sure you're unhappy about that.

Forgive me.

I knew I'd have to tell you

sooner or later.

You were thinking of me.

It was harder on you than on me.

No more, please.

Leave me.

All right.

Leave me alone, please.

Tokuhei...

Tokuhei...

Did you fill the bath?

I'm doing that now.

I need some shopping done...

Tokuhei! Something's wrong

with the master.

Sir?

What is it?

Where's my sword?

My sword.

I put it away in the storehouse.

Put it away? You put it away

without my telling you to?

Tokuhei!

Husband!

I told him to!

Bring it here.

I will not!

What did you say?

Are you disobeying me?

Yes. I am.

I cannot give you your sword.

I will not do it!

Sir! You mustn't hit the missus!

Kayo!

Kayo!

I'm right here.

I want to die.

I'm no use to anyone now.

I'm better off dead.

That's not so!

I'm blind!

What does that matter?!

It simply means you can't see.

You're the same man you always were.

No!

I'm not.

Don't you see? I can't live

without help any more!

I'll never serve in the castle again.

I'll lose my status.

I'll be like a beggar, dependent

on people for the rest of my life!

But I'll be with you!

You'll come to despise me.

You'll leave me and go off somewhere.

What a...

What a horrible thing to say!

All I ever wanted since your family

took me in as an orphan...

was to be your wife!

How could you say that?

I can't even imagine

life without you!

Die if you want.

And by that same sword I will die

and follow you.

So die...

if you're going to!

Doesn't anyone have any ideas?

Shinnojo's become a man

of no use to anyone.

How are they going to live?

Will someone take them in?

Kayo...

Yes?

What do you think?

It's because of you two

we've all come here in this heat.

We have no intention

of troubling any of you.

If worse comes to worst, I'll work.

You'll work? What will you do?

Weaving, or sewing...

If that's not enough,

I could work as a tavern maid.

Don't talk nonsense!

A lady connected to our family

working as maid?!

What an awful thought!

I'm sorry!

Squire Togo...

Don't just sit there!

Tell us what you think.

He became the way he is

in the service of His Lordship.

Perhaps they could keep him

at even half his stipend...

Is there someone you could talk to,

Elder Brother?

I've been trying to think of someone.

Senior Counselor Hattori

was a friend of Father's.

If he were still living,

we could ask a favor of him.

But he's been dead three years.

All the people connected to him

have long since left their posts.

Kayo, can you think of anyone

in a high position you could ask?

We have to take any help we can.

Yes.

Well, I met Lord Shimada

the other day...

You mean the Chief Duty Officer,

Shimada Toya?

Yes.

How do you know him?

He knew me to see me

before I was married.

He knew about my husband.

He kindly invited me to come

and talk to him if I wished.

Excellent!

Yes.

Lord Shimada is young,

but very capable.

Kayo, take him at his word

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