I asked Riki if they met?

OBAA-SAN

Did he tell you?

AOYAGI

He seemed to be proud to tell.

OBAA-SAN

Then he was unashamed to tell--

AOYAGI

I asked him questions.

OBAA-SAN

But did you ask him the great question in your heart?

AOYAGI

Oh--

OBAA-SAN

Did you say, "Riki, my love, you are in all my heart. Am I in all yours?"

AOYAGI

He told me that.

OBAA-SAN

And did you believe?

AOYAGI

Above all the world!

OBAA-SAN

Then why doubt him later?

AOYAGI

The lady from Ishiyama pa.s.sed by.

OBAA-SAN

My child, a lady bound for Ishiyama pa.s.sed by! Had she been singing all the love-songs of all the worlds; had she been fairer than the lotus-flower, why should you have doubted Riki?

AOYAGI

A stranger--

OBAA-SAN

A stranger!--a stranger!--Oh, why--why--why do the eyes of love grow blind because a stranger speaks? You, Aoyagi, did not see the lady bound for Ishiyama. You did not hear her song--and yet upon the ears and eyes of a stranger you would shatter your love.--I saw the lady.--She was singing.--She was not fair.--If she had been--Oh, my little child--Riki is Riki, your august lord, the lord of your life. When he comes back, go to him and speak from your heart.

AOYAGI

What shall I say?

OBAA-SAN

I need not tell your heart.--It is only your head that can not learn to speak unprompted.--Do you love Riki?

AOYAGI

Ay--so dearly!

[_The voice of Riki is heard._

RIKI

Aoyagi!

AOYAGI

He is coming!

[_Obaa-San, unnoticed, goes into the house. Riki enters._

RIKI

Aoyagi!

[_When he sees she is safe, he drops suddenly. She goes to him._

AOYAGI

Riki, my august lord, listen to my heart.--Forget my anger.--Tell me once again that you love me.--I'll believe.

RIKI

You know--I have always loved you.--When you were a song in my heart, I loved you so! And now--