Yuki. Laughter-making? He seems strangely solemn. I expect honorable barbarian does not like to be so big and clumsy, poor man! Ah (laughs), if your worthy eyes could have seen him at exalted tea-making! He (rises and comes down C., imitating gestures) took the cup in his big, big hand. Do you know, O Totmai and O Haru, I thought he would put it all in his mouth when he opened it, without uttering honorable courtesies, and drank it all down before His August Majesty had taken more than a sip! Then his face went just like this. (Grimaces.)
Totmai (moves to C. Yuki moves R.). That is the way barbarians laugh. What laughter he gave us in the garden here. You know, O Yuki, he has had leave from the all-powerful Son of Heaven to walk here. O Haru and I played ball, when we heard (imitates) stamp—stamp—stamp—and then we saw the barbarian Englishman come swinging along. Before we had time to move he nearly walked over us, going like this at a great, great pipe. (Walks L., imitating heavy tread of Englishman.) We laughed greatly. O Haru, did we not laugh?
Haru (coming C.). Then, O Yuki, he took strange covering from barbarian head, like this, and said, “O-I-say—I-beg-your pardon!” We laughed and laughed, running away; then stranger still was barbarian speech: “By-Jove—jolly-little things!” Great was our honorable laughter. The barbarian Englishman never smile except when they are killing people. (Walks up stage and looks off R.) Yonder I see O Mimosa San.
ENTER Mimosa R. U. E. All bow.
Mimosa. The august Princess gives honorable notice, O Yuki and humble Mimosa attend her to exalted festival. (Haru joins Totmai L.) O dear little ones (to Totmai and Haru), there will be other feasts. The Englishman, whom the all-powerful Son of Heaven condescends to love, lingers in beautiful Japan.
Totmai (laughing). “By Jove—jolly-little-things!” O laughter-making! Come, O Haru San, there are yet honorable chrysanthemums to gather.
[EXEUNT L. 1 E.
Mimosa (drawing Yuki to C.). O Yuki, the exalted Princess is not smiling. She has dreamed strangely, and of serpents. She cannot forget cruel words spoken by the all-wise Sakara. In vain I tell Her Highness the gods sit on the brow of just—and they, the most powerful ones, protect the innocent!
Yuki. Truth, indeed—honorable truth—he who curses must look out for two graves. Trouble not for the venerated Princess. O dear one, we are as grave as foxes; we shall have honorable laughter to-night!
Mimosa. O Yuki San, of honorable courtesy forgive, I cannot laugh. See, I have sewn yet other charms in my girdle. Last night I, too, was unfortunate and dreamed evil dreams. Great is my folly, I fear the curses of wise Sakara.