In late 19th century Japan, Suezo the moneylender decides that his annoying wife has earned it, so he finds a layman's daughter in need of money and takes her as his mistress. Her name is Otama, and her father is a widower whose career as a candy-maker has left him without resources in his old age. Her mother is already passed away. Otama is strikingly beautiful.
Suezo's past is discovered by Otama after some time together. After a long series of loans to his fellow classmates in school, Suezo committed usury and extorted his friends of unreasonable interest, building himself a small lending business in the process. Life with Suezo comes with its privileges though, and Otama and her father each receive their own private abode with a maiden to tend on their needs. Their luxury works against them though, because Otama's father doesn't want to be alone, and Otama feels compelled to be perfectly available to Suezo. They're not good at luxury either, given their lives as hard workers.
After Otama finally understands that Suezo is essentially a person of ill repute for his money lending practices, she becomes formal and detached. She prays for a savior. Then Okada appears, a friendly passer-by who frequents the place during his walks to take long looks at the beautiful Otama. Okada gives her hope.
Okada is reported to be the source of this story, but there's a question left about the identity of the narrator; perhaps it is intended to be Okada himself.
