def read_hdf (self, key, **kwargs):
        """Open as an HDF5 file using :mod:`pandas` and return the item stored under
        the key *key*. *kwargs* are passed to :func:`pandas.read_hdf`.

        """
        # This one needs special handling because of the "key" and path input.
        import pandas
        return pandas.read_hdf (text_type (self), key, **kwargs)