A Case of Child Murder
63
to what I say!
- Asa.—(She remains silent, and rolls over on her face, crying.)
- Koyama.—Hold up your face, I say! (Seizing her by the collar, he forces her to lift her face.)
- Asa.—(Still silent, she lifts her face. Her eyes shine with a bitter light.)
- Koyama. Woman, why did you kill your child?
- Asa.—(Silent)
- Koyama.—You must tell me all about it. What made you commit such a cruel deed?
- Asa.—(She remains silent.)
- Koyama.—(He shakes her roughly.) Tell me, I say! Confess the truth!
- Asa.—(Rather shaken by his rough handling, falls in a heap, but still remains silent.)
- Koyama.—What an obstinate woman you are! Why don’t you answer me? You must answer my question?
- Asa.—(Still remains motionless, and silent.)
- Koyama.—You know that you are a criminal. You have committed adultery, for you said that you had no husband. Your child must be unlawful.
- Asa.—(Shakes her head sadly, but is still silent.)
- Koyama.—You lie again! You have committed this crime because you were at your wit’s end what to do. Answer me, who is the man? I command you to speak!
- Asa.—(Mumbles something unintelligible in a low voice.)
- Koyama. (Seeming to understand what she says) What!
