RIKI

What has happened, Aoyagi?

AOYAGI

Did you send the message to Obaa-San?

RIKI

Yes.

AOYAGI

Did you go down the path?

RIKI

Yes.

AOYAGI

Did you pa.s.s a stranger on the way?

RIKI

No.

AOYAGI

A stranger just came by.--He came up the mountain path.

RIKI

I crossed the stream.

AOYAGI (_She takes a deep breath_)

You crossed the stream.

RIKI

Aoyagi--little sweetheart--I cannot understand.--What do you mean?

AOYAGI

Oh, Riki, Riki, I am so alone. Tell me what--why--why--

RIKI

Aoyagi, was I gone too long? Has some demon come to you?

AOYAGI

No demon came. You were gone too long.

RIKI

I went down the path and crossed the stream to take a shorter way. I met a stranger--

AOYAGI

Singing?

RIKI

Yes--I think she was singing.

AOYAGI

_She_ was singing.

RIKI

What do you mean, Aoyagi?

AOYAGI

Who was she?

RIKI

I do not know.--She said she would pa.s.s Ishiyama.

AOYAGI

Where did you see her?

RIKI

Beyond the stream--in a little glade.

AOYAGI

Did she sing your song?

RIKI

My song? No.