In the valley there is a mist. I can no longer see the silver stream at Kyushu.--Who are you?--I am afraid!--Riki--Riki--

[_There is no answer._

THE GAKI

He does not seem to hear.--I shall go to meet him. He went this way, you say?

AOYAGI

Yes.--There is a mist in the valley and I can not see the silver stream at Kyushu--

[_She does not see The Gaki who goes in the direction opposite to the one Aoyagi has indicated._

Oh, the little day--the little day--of love beyond love.--Riki--my mother, Obaa-San.--Yesterday the mountain-top gleamed like the topmost heaven in the spring sunlight. Today--the valley dies in mist and the mountain-top is lost in the sky.

RIKI (_coming in singing_)

Hai! Hai! Hai!

RIKI

Aoyagi!

AOYAGI

I must go back to Obaa-San, my mother.

RIKI

What has happened, Aoyagi?

AOYAGI

We came up the mountain path side by side, Riki. Without question I gave myself to you.

RIKI

Aoyagi!

AOYAGI

I gave my love--my love beyond love. I believed.

RIKI

Why not believe?

AOYAGI

Your first words were--"You are she!" I did not question. And now--

RIKI

Oh, my little love, was I gone too long?

AOYAGI

My love knows no time, Riki.--You were gone--how can I say?--ages.

RIKI

It was ages, too, to me, Aoyagi.

AOYAGI (_softening_)

I watched the silver stream at Kyushu--and I waited.

RIKI

What, are those tears?

AOYAGI

Nothing, Riki--but I feel so far away--from Obaa-San.

RIKI

She can bridge the distance with her heart. A mother can always bridge all distance with her heart.

AOYAGI

Hai!

RIKI

Our happiness is all she wants.

AOYAGI

Our happiness--(_bitterly_)

RIKI (_He goes to her. She moves away_)

Why--

AOYAGI

The silver fishes--