Princess (clasping hands). I am—accursed. My touch brought evil to a child. O powerful gods, be merciful to Kiku! Worshipful lady, though it tears my heart, I will show you my chrysanthemum garden, and help if I can the exalted foreigner.
[The girls crowd round the Princess and Cecil, laughing excitedly and joyously and clapping hands.
CURTAIN.
SCENE VI.—The Chrysanthemum Garden, as before.
Mimosa up stage among flowers.
Mimosa. O dear honorable ones, hold up exalted heads to comfort august lady with beauty! She comes hither with the kind, worshipful English lady who tells strange story of little lost one. (Comes slowly down C.) The sun shines to-morrow, and the gods will send Mimosa wisdom! (Turns to flowers.) O dear ones, beautiful and fresh, I would not the Princess saw one drooping head.
ENTER Ito L., cautiously, without perceiving Mimosa.
Ito. For many mornings I come here. The sentries smile at me, there is no one to see Ito’s play-acting, and I, the best play-actor in many honorable dwellings, did not my own play-acting, but that of wise Sakara, therefore beautiful lady liked not. Would she could see me play-act doctor or the funeral.
Mimosa (throws herself on her knees, half laughing, half crying). O dear one, sent by the gods, thy eyes, honorable eyes?
Ito (drawing back). I will not play-act that again, most worshipful!