AOYAGI
Yes,—at Ishiyama.
THE GAKI
At—Ishiyama.
AOYAGI
Why do you speak so?
THE GAKI
I merely echoed your own words.
AOYAGI
I did not say them so terribly.
THE GAKI
What is in your heart came into your voice, perhaps.
AOYAGI
There is the way to Kyushu.
THE GAKI
Down that path?
AOYAGI
Yes. Did you not meet Riki?
THE GAKI
Riki?
AOYAGI
Yes, my august lord.
THE GAKI
I passed no one—except—a tall woman who was climbing slowly and singing a wonderful song—which I had heard once near the ferry at Ishiyama.
AOYAGI
But Riki just left me here. You must have passed him on the way.
THE GAKI
The by-paths are many and the trysting places are secret—like this.
AOYAGI
Riki would take no by-path. My august lord needs no trysting place save this.
THE GAKI
I do not know. I saw no Riki.
AOYAGI
My lord needs no trysting place. I am here. He knows I am here—waiting.
[The Gaki looks at her.
THE GAKI
Riki?
AOYAGI
He knows I am waiting—
THE GAKI
Riki?—Oh, yes the name—I heard it—once—at the ferry at Ishiyama. He has been there.
AOYAGI
Yes.
THE GAKI
A poet?
AOYAGI
Yes.
THE GAKI
He writes wonderful love-songs—they say.
AOYAGI