RECITATIVE. He goes staggering in exhilaration. Music is heard within. YURANOSUKE. You little vixens, see if I don’t make you drunk. RECITATIVE. Amid the noise he goes in. Sagisaka Bannai, who has been watching the whole time, comes downstairs. BANNAI. Master Kudayu, I have been carefully observing. From one who does not refrain from animal food on the anniversary of his master’s death, revenge is not to be dreamt of. I will report it to my master Moronao and make him open the gates that he keeps strictly guarded. KUDAYU. Yes, there is no longer need for guard. See, he has forgotten his sword. BANNAI. Indeed! it truly proves what a great fool he is. Let us look at this soul of a samurai. Why, it is rusted all over. KUDAYU. Ha, ha, ha! It shows his true nature more clearly still; and you may now rest at ease. Let Kudayu’s servants bring his palanquin. RECITATIVE. They bring the palanquin. KUDAYU. Now, Master Bannai, please, get in. BANNAI. You are old; please, get in. KUDAYU. Then, by your leave. RECITATIVE. He gets in. BANNAI. By the bye, Master Kudayu, I hear Kanpei’s wife is in service here. Do you not know her? Master Kudayu, Master Kudayu. RECITATIVE. He receives no answer. BANNAI. This is strange! RECITATIVE. He lifts the screen of the palanquin and sees inside a fair-sized stepping-stone. BANNAI. What is this? Has Kudayu turned into a Matsura[4] Sayo-hime? [Illustration: Bannai peering into palanquin that contains a large stone] RECITATIVE. As he looks around, he hears a voice from under the verandah. KUDAYU. Here, Master Bannai. I have slipped out of the palanquin, because the letter that Rikiya brought a while ago makes me uneasy. I will watch and let you know afterwards. Do you walk by the palanquin as if I were still in it. BANNAI. Very well. RECITATIVE. He nods and slowly walks by the palanquin as if there were some one in it. On the upper floor appears Okaru, Kanpei’s wife, to cool her flushed face. She is already used to her new life, and she cheers her spirits in the breeze that blows towards her. YURANOSUKE. I shall come back directly. I, a samurai, have forgotten to bring my precious sword. While I am away, hang straight the _kakemono_ and put some charcoal in the brazier. OKARU. Oh, take care, you must not tread on that _samisen_ there and break it. YURANOSUKE. Dear me, Kudayu appears to have gone. RECITATIVE. A song is heard within. “Some one calls out close to his ear: ‘O father mine and mother dear!’ He looks around in great surprise, And, lo, a parrot meets his eyes. It was his wife that taught the bird To speak the tender words he heard.” [Illustration: Okaru sitting holding a mirror]