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This, too, happened long ago, in the time of Emperor Shirakawa. Among the women in the north-facing rooms of the palace was a lively, clever woman called Roku, whom the gentlemen of the court made much of and liked to tease. One day, when a steady drizzle had left everyone at a loose end, a gentleman sent a messenger to fetch Roku, thinking she might relieve their boredom. Before long, someone came to announce, “Roku has come in answer to your summons.” The gentleman had the visitor brought toward his private quarters, and a servant went out to say, “Please come this way.” The reply was, “It would hardly be proper for me to do so.” The servant returned and reported, “When I asked the visitor to come in, I was told it would be improper. The visitor seems most apprehensive.” Thinking Roku must be playing coy, the gentleman said, “Why such talk? Just tell her to come.” But the visitor protested, “Surely there has been some mistake. I have never before been admitted to the private apartments.” The many people gathered there urged, “Do go in. There must be some reason for the summons.” At last the visitor said, “I am quite unworthy of such an honor, but since I have been summoned…” and entered. The master of the house looked up and saw a roku—a clerk of the Bureau of Justice—a thin, bearded man with gray in his hair, dressed in a dark-green hunting robe and blue hakama. With the utmost solemnity, his clothes rustling crisply, he held his fan like a ceremonial baton and crouched with his head slightly bowed. The master could think of nothing whatever to say. As he sat speechless, the official bowed still lower in fear and reverence. Since matters could not remain like this, the master at last asked, “Tell me, who else is serving in your office now?” “So-and-so, and so-and-so,” the man replied. Finding little promise in this exchange, the master began edging backward, away from the official. “Such devotion to your duties is admirable,” he said. “I shall certainly bring it to His Majesty’s attention. You may go now.” And with that he sent him away. Roku later heard what had happened and is said to have laughed.