Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan.pdf/27

Rh and seems about to peep into the interior, but fear causes her to resist from doing so. She notices the moonlight shining into the door, and so she decides to come round to the cottage window. At first she catches hold of the window ledges, and tries to raise herself to look in, but fear again seizes her, and in a sudden fit of great terror she steps back to the bridge again, and looks around her anxiously. As she gazes toward the upper part of the river, she notices Kakutaro lying on the rocks above. She jumps down quickly, and runs to him.)


 * Osayo.—Kaku-chan, my dear Kaku-chan! Whatever is the matter? Why are you lying there? What are you doing?—Oh, Kaku-chan! What is it? (Saying this, she tries to lift him on to a rock, and sets him down. His clothes are soaking wet.) All your clothes are wet! (She then takes his kimono in her hands and wrings the water out of it. Kakutaro seems absent-minded and looks around him as if he were dazed.)
 * Osayo.—Kaku-chan, where have you been for the past few days? I have been so worried about you! (She gazes at him in fear.) Oh, Kaku-chan! My Kaku-chan! Try and listen to what I am saying. You must be very hungry!—Can’t you walk? If you can’t, I will carry you on my back.—Will you go home with me?—Oh, let us go, Kaku-chan!
 * Kakutaro.—(Pushes her hands away.) No, I dare not! I will never go home any more! (As he speaks he looks about him all the time as if he were expecting