Let me--

AOYAGI

Oh, mother, dear. I am so happy here.

OBAA-SAN (_suddenly becoming the solicitous mother, she handles Aoyagi as one might handle a doll_)

Are you--truly?--Are you warm?--You are hungry!

AOYAGI

No--I am just happy.

[_She nestles close to Obaa-San. There is complete contentment._

OBAA-SAN

I shall bring you--a surprise.

[_She darts into the house. Immediately The Gaki comes in._

THE GAKI

You seem very happy, Aoyagi. And your mother is very happy, too.--And I am hungry now.

AOYAGI

You will not hurt her! Let me go back to the Weeping Willow Tree--

THE GAKI

That would kill her--perhaps.

AOYAGI

No--no--I should be near her then--always.

THE GAKI

But where would I have my food? Not in your heart, not in hers--I should starve and I must live.

AOYAGI

What then?

THE GAKI

See!

[_He points to the road. Aoyagi looks in that direction as The Gaki disappears. Riki comes in. Occasionally one may hear a bit of a lullaby sung in the old cracked voice of Obaa-San_:

See, baby, see The ears of the wolf are long; Sleep, baby, sleep, Your father is brave and strong.

_Riki is a poet, young, free, romantic. He faces Aoyagi a little moment as though a wonderful dragonfly had poised above his reflection in a pool._

RIKI

You are she!

AOYAGI

My--who--are--you?

RIKI

I am a poet--I have sought everywhere for you.

AOYAGI

I am the Lady of the Weeping Willow Tree!

RIKI

You are my love.

AOYAGI

I am the daughter of Obaa-San.

RIKI

I love you so!

AOYAGI

Yes--I love you so!--But I love Obaa-San, my mother--

RIKI

Come with me.

AOYAGI

But Obaa-San--

RIKI

Come with me. b.u.t.terfly, b.u.t.terfly, alight upon the Willow Tree And if you rest not well, then fly home to me. See! I make a little verse for you.