Where is Aoyagi?
RIKI
Is she not here?
OBAA-SAN
She is not here. Where--Riki!
RIKI
I left her in the bamboo glade--and when I returned she was gone. Her footprints pointed toward the path--and then were lost.
OBAA-SAN
Why did you leave her?
RIKI
I left her because she--I left her.
OBAA-SAN
I do not know, Riki, what has come to pa.s.s--but this I know--I am waiting for her.--I am waiting for her. Go seek for her--and bring her back to me.
RIKI
I shall search for her.--Obaa-San, she--
OBAA-SAN
I care not what she did. I am waiting here for her.
[_Riki looks at Obaa-San a moment and then understands._
RIKI
Aoyagi!
[_He goes out. Obaa-San turns to the empty house--the empty willow tree._
OBAA-SAN
She will come back to me.
[_She goes into the house. The Gaki enters._
THE GAKI
Foolish Riki! He searches in the valley. Mad Aoyagi! Alone with the lonely stars!--Oh, wondrous misery that makes itself.
[_He sees Obaa-San. She enters from the house._
Good-morning, Obaa-San, my friend.
OBAA-SAN
Good-morning, traveller.
THE GAKI
Why do you rise before the dawn?
OBAA-SAN
I could not rest.--Why are you not at Kyushu?
THE GAKI
There is a mist at Kyushu--and I feared to lose my way.
OBAA-SAN
Did you pa.s.s a little lady--Aoyagi, by name--alone--
THE GAKI
It seems--I met a little lady.--She was not happy.--That one?
OBAA-SAN
Where?
THE GAKI
I am a stranger here--I cannot say. Over there--or over there.
OBAA-SAN
She will come to me, perhaps.
THE GAKI
Do you know her?
OBAA-SAN
She is my daughter,--Aoyagi.