Like other household help he wears too patently the badge of servitude.

"If you have three koku of rice to your name, don't do it," is the advice of the local proverb--a proverb whose warning against marrying for money is the more suggestive for being launched in a land where marrying for love is beyond the pale of respectability.

To barter one's name in this mercenary manner is looked upon as derogatory to one's self-respect, although, as we have seen, to part with it for any less direct remuneration is not attended with the slightest loss of personal prestige.

As practically the unfortunate had none to lose in either event, it would seem to be a case of taking away from a man that which he hath not.

So contumacious a thing is custom.
It is indeed lucky that popular prejudice interposes some limit to this fictitious method of acquiring children.