Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!
The Curtains Close
ACT III
Before the House of Obaa-San
[It is moonlight. As the curtain opens, Obaa-San is heard singing the lullaby; from the distance the voice of Riki calls.
RIKI
Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!—Aoyagi! Oi!
[Obaa-San appears in the doorway.
Aoyagi!
OBAA-SAN (She goes toward the voice)
Oi!
[Riki enters.
RIKI
Obaa-San! Where is Aoyagi?
OBAA-SAN
Where is Aoyagi?
RIKI
Is she not here?
OBAA-SAN
She is not here. Where—Riki!
RIKI
I left her in the bamboo glade—and when I returned she was gone. Her footprints pointed toward the path—and then were lost.
OBAA-SAN
Why did you leave her?
RIKI
I left her because she—I left her.
OBAA-SAN
I do not know, Riki, what has come to pass—but this I know—I am waiting for her.—I am waiting for her. Go seek for her—and bring her back to me.
RIKI
I shall search for her.—Obaa-San, she—
OBAA-SAN
I care not what she did. I am waiting here for her.
[Riki looks at Obaa-San a moment and then understands.
RIKI
Aoyagi!
[He goes out. Obaa-San turns to the empty house—the empty willow tree.
OBAA-SAN
She will come back to me.
[She goes into the house. The Gaki enters.
THE GAKI
Foolish Riki! He searches in the valley. Mad Aoyagi! Alone with the lonely stars!—Oh, wondrous misery that makes itself.
[He sees Obaa-San. She enters from the house.
Good-morning, Obaa-San, my friend.
OBAA-SAN
Good-morning, traveller.
THE GAKI
Why do you rise before the dawn?
OBAA-SAN
I could not rest.—Why are you not at Kyushu?
THE GAKI