Even though the lady felt he was utterly heartless, she was moved to reply:
涙さへ時雨にそひてふるさとは紅葉の色も濃さまさりけり
| namida saFe sigure ni soFite Furusato Fa momidi no iro mo kosa masarikeri |
Ever my tears Fall with the showers; At my ancient home, The lustre of the Autumn leaves Is deepest of all. |
and attaching it to a branch of privet, sent it to him. This must have been around the Ninth Month. The man read the poem and thought it extraordinarily moving.