10
Eminent Authors of Japan
- since my husband was killed. Tomonojo is a very wicked man! Oh, that I could have revenge soon!
- Gohei.—The time will come I hope very soon, my lady, Be patient and try to bear up a little longer. Look … the twilight has come!
- Okuni.—The evening breeze feels chilly, and because I have heard that we are so near Oshu, I feel the cold more intensely. Though I have grown accustomed to these long journeys, to-night I feel a strange loneliness creeping upon me, I know not why.
- Gohei.—No one ever passes by this road, and it will become more lonely to you when it gets dark … How do you feel, madam? Are your feet very tired?
- Okuni.—I feel much refreshed. (Rubbing her toes) But the blister on my big toe has broken, and it hurts me very much indeed.
- Gohei.—Please let me look at it, madam … I had no idea … (He goes dose to Okuni, unties the strap of her sandal. She takes off her tabi-sock. The music of the shakuhachi ceases for a brief time, then starts again, coming gradually nearer.)
- Gohei.—(Still examining Okuni’s foot) Oh, this must hurt you; your toe is quite inflamed and swollen. What shall we do? Ah, let me wrap a sheet of thin paper round it carefully, so that the strap of your sandal will not touch it. (He takes some Japanese paper from his dress, and tearing it into long strips, binds it carefully round her wounded foot.)
