THE GAKI

Do you not fear for her?

OBAA-SAN

Perhaps.--She will be here soon.--Riki has gone for her.

THE GAKI

She must know the way.

[_The voices of O-Sode and O-Katsu are heard._

This has been a restless night for age. (_He disappears. O-Sode-San and O-Katsu-San enter_)

OBAA-SAN

Good-morning, O-Sode-San. Good-morning, O-Katsu-San.--The lily hands of sleep have pa.s.sed you by.

O-KATSU-SAN

A strange unrest has seized upon me. I think--and think of my little one.

She is glorious in my heart, and words with wings seem to flash before my eyes like fireflies in the darkness.

O-SODE-SAN

I, too, have lived in words.

O-KATSU-SAN

Obaa-San, is it not wonderful to put a joy or pain in words?

OBAA-SAN

Ah, yes--if there is anyone to hear them. All my long, long years before Aoyagi came to me, my heart sang, and words freighted with my dreams and my love would come to me--here; and they would die because they found no ear attuned to them.--Tell me what you thought, O-Sode-San.

O-SODE-SAN

The moon in calm restlessness Shows the water gra.s.ses of the River of Heaven, Swaying in the cool spring air-- I know the time to meet my lover Is not too far away.

OBAA-SAN

Every one has a poem in his heart, I believe.--What was your poem, O-Katsu?

O-KATSU-SAN

Oh, messenger of the other world, My little one is young; She can not find her way-- Do you kindly take my little one Upon your warm, broad back Along the twilight path.

O-SODE-SAN

And you, Obaa-San,--was it words that kept sleep from your eyes?

OBAA-SAN

Ay, bitter dream-words. And for the bitterness I am paying dearly.--Over and over the words came to me:

Here lies my daughter's sleeping body On the mat beside me.

But her soul is far away Asleep in her lover's arms-- And I, her white-haired mother, Hold only an empty sh.e.l.l.

Oh, I am ashamed--ashamed.--And just now Riki came to me--and told me he could not find Aoyagi.

O-KATSU-SAN AND O-SODE-SAN

Hai!

O-SODE-SAN

Can we not search for her?

OBAA-SAN

I am waiting here.--She may find her way back.--I would not have her come to an empty house.--Come--let's go within--and dream that yours and yours and mine are on their way to us.

[_The old women go into the house. There is just a moment's silence--then_:

AOYAGI

Hai! Hai! Hai!

[_Aoyagi, utterly forlorn, enters. She looks at the house, turns and sees the mountains, covers her eyes, and drags herself wearily to the willow tree. She moans as though winter had fallen upon the world and were taunting her. The Gaki enters._

THE GAKI

So you have found your way--in life.

AOYAGI

Oh, let me go back to my tree!

THE GAKI

No, little Aoyagi--you would be happy then.

AOYAGI

Let me die!

THE GAKI