Riki--I must go--I feel the strong hand leading me--I feel the happy pain--I long--I would stay with Obaa-San; but, Riki, I must go.--Yon mountain gleaming in the sun--the bamboo trees--the silver fishes--you-- [_Obaa-San enters carrying an armful of wistaria blossoms. She is radiant. Then--she sees the lovers--and she understands. The blossoms slip from her arms._ OBAA-SAN When do you go? AOYAGI Obaa-San, my mother--something outside of me calls and I must obey. OBAA-SAN I understand.--It must be wonderful, my little daughter. AOYAGI Mother!--This is Riki. OBAA-SAN Riki!--See that you bring her happiness. RIKI I could not fail. I have searched for her always. OBAA-SAN We always search for someone--we humans.--Sometimes we find--sometimes we wait always. AOYAGI Riki, I must not go. Obaa-San is my mother--and I am all she has. OBAA-SAN Yes, Aoyagi, you are all I have and that is why I can let you go. Be happy-- AOYAGI But you, my mother. OBAA-SAN For my sake, be happy. Some day I shall be Obaa-San no more--and what of you then? Go, my little darling, go with Riki.--Some day, you will return. RIKI We shall return some day, Obaa-San. AOYAGI Farewell. [_Very simply she steps into Obaa-San's outstretched arms and then, as though they had been forever empty, Obaa-San stands gazing into space with her arms outstretched. Aoyagi and Riki go out._ OBAA-SAN Hai!--Hai! [_She lays her hand upon her heart and, looking into space, turns to the house. There is the empty tree--her empty heart! The Gaki comes in._ THE GAKI Oi! Obaa-San! [_Obaa-San turns mechanically._ OBAA-SAN Did you not find your way? THE GAKI I found my way.--But why this unhappiness in your eyes? OBAA-SAN I am very lonely. I have lived my lifelong dream of spring and butterflies a single instant--and it is gone. [_She turns to go._ THE GAKI I feed! I feed! [_The voices of O-Sode and O-Katsu are heard calling Obaa-San._ Here are your friends again. [_O-Sode and O-Katsu come in._ O-SODE-SAN Hai! Obaa-San, a little lady passed and told us you were lonely. OBAA-SAN I am lonely.--But I have always been lonely. O-SODE-SAN What has happened? [_The Gaki, hidden, has been triumphant. Suddenly he seems to shrivel as if drawn with rage._ OBAA-SAN I waited, oh so long--you know.--I opened my arms.--My dream came true.--I sang my lullaby--to my child.--A lover came;--they have gone. O-KATSU-SAN She is a-wander in her mind. OBAA-SAN I opened my arms here--like this.--She stepped into them as though she had been there always--and now she has gone.--In one short moment I lived my mother-life. O-SODE-SAN It was magic! Come, Obaa-San, we'll make some prayers to burn. O-KATSU-SAN Some evil ghost. OBAA-SAN No! No! Some kindly spirit from the sky-dome came to me.--I have had one moment of happiness complete.--I dreamed and I have known. Now I shall dream again--a greater dream--a greater dream. [_The old women go into the house._ THE GAKI