Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan.pdf/24

12 ghastly as the vision of the snow-maiden. Should anyone attempt to peep into the inside of the cottage to see his beautiful body more closely, they will afterwards become enchanted by the fox, and will end their days as madmen. Kaku-chan’s mother, brother and sister all met their ends in this way.
 * Osayo.—Then does Kaku-chan always come to watch the fox at night-time?
 * Mother.—“ [sic]Yes, I assure you that every night he comes here and peeps into the cottage, according to the story of a man who saw him from that chestnut-tree up yonder. He said that from there he could not see very much, but he saw the pure white fur of the fox glittering in the moonlight, and afterwards watched him gliding silently out of the cottage and across the bridge. At such a time Kaku-chan follows close behind him.
 * Osayo.—After he crosses the bridge, where does he go?
 * Mother.—Perhaps they go to the upper part of the river. They say there is a fox’s den in that place. (Osayo looks up at the moon, and then turns her gaze to the upper part of the river. A pause.)
 * Mother.—Oh, Osayo, my dear, how long do you intend to remain here? Let us give up talking about it now.
 * Osayo.—I will stay here a little longer.
 * Mother.—Why do you talk in such a foolish way? Oh, look! The moon has already come over this