YUKI (_coming down L. C._). O Mimosa San, the light of honorable moon falls upon the garden, sentries watch at the gates, and exalted Princess thinks if she rests here in summer-house honorable sleep will dwell upon her eyelids. She dreads the hour of the Ox, and fearful darkness in the Palace. Here among fragrant flowers will be venerated peace.
MIMOSA (C.). The samisen must sing her to land of health-giving sleep. O Yuki, we can watch that no evil comes. O Totmai and O Haru can rest in the Palace. See, they come.
ENTER _TOTMAI and HARU L., running. All bow._
TOTMAI. O Mimosa San, how pretty and sweet you look! Did you enjoy much honorable pleasure?
HARU. How slow to speak! (_Moves up stage._)
TOTMAI. Was Morita there? Looked he for Totmai? What was honorable meal? Did any wear very rich kimonos?
MIMOSA (_laughing_). Many are questions, O Totmai! (_YUKI and HARU talk aside, up stage, L. C._) Honorable Morita was there. I had no excellent speech with him.
TOTMAI. O vexing little one, make us laugh quick, about the barbarian Englishman!
[_All sit in centre of stage clustering round MIMOSA, who is in C. with HARU on the R. and YUKI and TOTMAI on her L._
HARU. Tell us, O Mimosa San, and you, O Yuki, of the doings of this strange man.
TOTMAI. What were the garments of the foreigner, and, O Mimosa (_laughing_), what was his speech? Did he say jolly little things?
HARU (_imitating as before_). O--I--say----
YUKI. When he was talking to the exalted Princess he looked much like a huge black crow speaking to a beautiful heron.
MIMOSA. There was a white piece in front. Honorable tailor had had little stuff. It was strangely short in front and long behind. Over the white he wore one pretty thing, a band of blue ribbon with something jewelled and shining. Long stockings came up to his knees.
MIMOSA. O Yuki, how hard to keep honorable laughter from our faces!
YUKI. Truly, O Mimosa, when we saw him with the excellent flower! (_Laugh._)
TOTMAI. Tell us, O Yuki San. We would laugh, too.
HARU. With honorable kindness, tell us quick.
YUKI. The august Princess took excellent chrysanthemum standing alone in large vase----
MIMOSA. O Yuki, speak first of the bow! (_Laughs behind fan._)
YUKI. O Mimosa, how laughter-making! See, O Totmai and O Haru. (_Imitates the bow of an Englishman._)