[Obaa-San enters. She is old, very, very old, and withered and misshapen. There is only laughter in your heart when you look at Obaa-San unless you see her eyes. Then—
OBAA-SAN
My tree! My little tree! Why do you sigh?
THE TREE
Hai! Hai! Hai!
OBAA-SAN
Sometimes I think I pity you. Yes, dear tree!
THE TREE
Hai! Hai! Hai!
THE GAKI
Now I am a traveller. She sees me pleasantly.—Grandmother!
OBAA-SAN
Ay, sir!
THE GAKI
Which way to Kyushu?
OBAA-SAN
You have lost your way. Far, far back beyond the ferry landing at Ishiyama to your right. That is the way to Kyushu.
THE GAKI
Ah, me!
OBAA-SAN
You are tired. Will you not sit and rest?—Will you not have some rice?
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