16
Eminent Authors of Japan
to see somebody.)
- Osayo.—But why won’t you go? Tell me why!
- Kakutaro.—I hate your mother, and she treats me unkindly!
- Osayo.—I assure you, dear Kaku-chan, my mother has no such ideas about you. She has worried very greatly about you, and her heart has been very troubled. Do you know that not so long ago, this very night, she came down here, and said to me, that if you were enchanted by the fox as your relations were…. (The moon becomes brighter, and Kakutaro, as if not hearing her words, becomes alert, his eyes sparkling brightly, and begins to walk toward the cottage.)
- Osayo.—(Frozen to the marrow by sudden fear) Kaku-chan! What are you… what are you gazing at?
- Kakutaro.—Oh, Oh! Look how the moon shines! Can’t you see how it has crept into the cottage? (Saying this he begins to go nearer to the cottage, as if being drawn by some unseen power.)
- Osayo.—(Begins to run, overtaking him. She tries to take his hands to hold him back. Oh, don’t go there! Don’t look! Kaku-chan!
- Kakutaro.—I tell you I will go. She is in the bath! already!
- Osayo.—Oh, Kaku-chan, can’t you believe me? I tell you that at this hour no one will come to such a place!
- Kakutaro.—No, she is there! She is there! Look
