THE GAKI

Perhaps to shorten the way.

AOYAGI

He met her in a little glade.--Hai!

THE GAKI

What shall you do?

AOYAGI

I'll go my way. I'll return to Obaa-San.

THE GAKI

I'll guide you down the mountain side.--Come, we'll take the shorter way--the by-paths--across the stream--through the little glade--

AOYAGI (_She looks about once more at the scene of her happiness_)

Hai!

THE GAKI

Come!

AOYAGI

No, let us go down the path.--I want to see my footprints--side by side with his.

THE GAKI

Perhaps they're being crushed under the feet of the lady from Ishiyama!

[_Aoyagi starts a moment as though to fly along the path before the lady comes.--She sways slowly--and then falls in a pitiful little heap.--The Gaki takes her in his arms and, utterly triumphant, starts up the mountain-side._

We'll go up--up--sweet Aoyagi, to the snow peak--gleaming in the sun.--You'll find the mountain-top--not lost in the sky.--Your perfect faith!--Oh, you silly human--oh, futile love--climb, Aoyagi--climb without love.--But first we'll make footprints for the lover's eyes.--Blindness will lead him to the mists at Kyushu.--Jealousy will lead you to the lonely stars.

[_He holds Aoyagi so that her feet touch the ground--toward the downward path. Then with a wild laugh, he turns toward the mountain top. As the laughter dies, the voice of Riki is heard calling_

Aoyagi! Aoyagi!... Oi!

[_The laugh of The Gaki is heard once more very far away--as he ascends the mountain with his burden._

RIKI

Aoyagi!--Aoyagi!

[_Riki comes running in. Presently he sees the footprints._

Oi!--Aoyagi!

[_He runs down the path._

Aoyagi!--Aoyagi!

[_Far, very far away The Gaki's laugh is heard._

RIKI

Aoyagi!--Aoyagi!

[_Night has fallen slowly._

Aoyagi!--Aoyagi!

_The Curtains Close._

ACT III

_Before the House of Obaa-San_

[_It is moonlight. As the curtain opens, Obaa-San is heard singing the lullaby; from the distance the voice of Riki calls._

RIKI

Aoyagi!--Aoyagi!--Aoyagi!--Aoyagi! Oi!

[_Obaa-San appears in the doorway._

Aoyagi!

OBAA-SAN (_She goes toward the voice_)

Oi!

[_Riki enters._

RIKI

Obaa-San! Where is Aoyagi?

OBAA-SAN