Prince. So be it. It is a good plan
And on the one road. Let us about it. [Exits L. followed by Buzen and Ruiten. Ito Soda goes behind the screen. O Toyo is heard singing in the garden.]
O Toyo. [Outside.] Moonlit convulvus
Through the night hours
Wan are their faces
Ghostly sweet.
Richer by daylight
Drinking of sunshine
As thirsty souls drink
At a shrine.
Fair are the faces
Glassed in the quiet pools
Maidens low-bending
Vain ones.
[The singing stops abruptly.] Kashiku, is not that a cat
Stealing stealthily there?
She snarls—quick—[O Toyo enters B. C. quickly and very frightened, turns and looks back, hurries Kashiku in. Kashiku follows much less disturbed at any fear of a cat than over her mistress' fright.]
Kashiku. [Shuts the shoji R. C. and comes to O Toyo.] You are all atremble.
O Toyo. Quick, let me be safe in slumber. [Crosses to dressing table.]
Kashiku. [Follows her and attends to her hair while O Toyo kneels before the glass.] Several nights lately have I heard my lady moaning
As though even in sleep were she troubled.
The worry over your honorable lord hath disturbed thee.
O Toyo. Your ears are over keen.
I am happy when I sleep.
How can I moan, being happy?
You are dull.
Kashiku. Perhaps it was the wind or the echo of my lord's moaning.