Part 15 (1/2)

Yes. Did you not meet Riki?

THE GAKI

Riki?

AOYAGI

Yes, my august lord.

THE GAKI

I pa.s.sed no one--except--a tall woman who was climbing slowly and singing a wonderful song--which I had heard once near the ferry at Is.h.i.+yama.

AOYAGI

But Riki just left me here. You must have pa.s.sed him on the way.

THE GAKI

The by-paths are many and the trysting places are secret--like this.

AOYAGI

Riki would take no by-path. My august lord needs no trysting place save this.

THE GAKI

I do not know. I saw no Riki.

AOYAGI

My lord needs no trysting place. I am here. He knows I am here--waiting.

[_The Gaki looks at her._

THE GAKI

Riki?

AOYAGI

He knows I am waiting--

THE GAKI

Riki?--Oh, yes the name--I heard it--once--at the ferry at Is.h.i.+yama. He has been there.

AOYAGI

Yes.