THE GAKI

Oh, no.--Where is your brood, grandmother?

OBAA-SAN

I have no brood. I am no grandmother. I am no mother.

THE GAKI

What! Are there tears in your voice?

OBAA-SAN

Tears! Why should I weep?

THE GAKI

I do not know, grandmother!

OBAA-SAN

I am no grandmother!--Who sent you here to laugh at me?--O-Sode-San? 'Tis she who laughs at me, because--

THE GAKI

No one, old woman--

OBAA-SAN

Yes, yes, old woman. That is it. Old woman!--Who are you? I am not wont to cry my griefs to any one.

THE GAKI

Griefs? You have griefs?

OBAA-SAN

Ay! Even _I_--she whom they call Obaa-San--have griefs.--Even I! But they are locked deep within me. No one knows!

THE GAKI

Someone must know.

OBAA-SAN

I shall tell no one.

THE GAKI

Someone must know!

OBAA-SAN

You speak like some spirit--and I feel that I must obey.

THE GAKI

Someone must know!

OBAA-SAN

I shall not speak. Who cares?--What is it I shall do? Tell my story--unlock my heart--so that O-Sode-San may laugh and laugh and laugh. Is it not enough that some evil spirit feeds upon my deep unrest?

THE GAKI

How can one feed upon your unrest when you lock it in your heart? (_The voices of O-Sode-San and O-Katsu-San are heard calling to Obaa-San_) Here come some friends of yours. Tell them your tale.

[_He goes out._

OBAA-SAN

Strange. I feel that I must speak out my heart.

[_O-Sode-San and O-Katsu-San come in._

O-SODE-SAN

Good morning, grandmother!

OBAA-SAN (_with a strange wistfulness in her tone_)

Good morning, O-Sode-San. Good morning, O-Katsu-San. May the bright day bring you a bright heart.

O-KATSU-SAN

And you, Obaa-San.

O-SODE-SAN

How is the weeping willow tree, grandmother?

OBAA-SAN

It is there--close to me.

O-SODE-SAN

And does it speak to you, grandmother--