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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 s.p.a.ce with her arms outstretched. Aoyagi and Riki go out._
OBAA-SAN
Hai!--Hai!
[_She lays her hand upon her heart and, looking into s.p.a.ce, 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 b.u.t.terflies 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 pa.s.sed 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
