possible, on to a veranda, up stage C. L. 1 E. and R. 1 E. Plenty of
cushions, rugs and little low stools about the room. YUKI (down L.),
TOTMAI (R. of entrance to veranda), HARU (L. of entrance to veranda),
recline lazily._
TOTMAI. O Haru, a bird flew past the window--a visitor comes; let us
adorn our hair.
YUKI. Is not the word of the Princess known? None may enter the gate.
Watchful sentries would not even allow honorable dog to pass!
TOTMAI (_sinking back on cushions_). Truly, O Yuki, I had forgotten.
O Haru, deign with honorable kindness to tell excellent tale? (_HARU
shakes head._) I would like one with a great, powerful and noble Prince
who sends away trouble with swift sword! There, O Yuki, rapid one flew
past again. Excellent message of its honorable flight I have never
known to fail! (_Sits upright._) Then, O most wise Yuki, in honorable
cup of tea there was a tea leaf that stood upright. O Haru, come! (HARU
_sits before TOTMAI, who arranges pins._)
YUKI. I had foolishly forgotten. Here come the Princess and O Mimosa
San. Smile gaily, O Totmai and O Haru. Exalted lady is sad enough.
(_All bow._)
ENTER _PRINCESS R., MIMOSA following._
PRINCESS. O poor maidens, has terrible evil come to you yet? You would
come with me, foolish yet excellently loving hearts. Your honorable
hands, brightly seeing eyes, excellent hearing, is all well? (_Comes C.
and looks eagerly from one to another._)
TOTMAI (_coming down R. C. with flowers in her hand_). O most august
Princess.
PRINCESS. Totmai, you forget. I will not be called Princess any longer.
I am Kiku, the chrysanthemum, a fading flower!
TOTMAI. O beloved lady, in sweet, health-giving country air all will be
excellently well. We can dance, sing, honorably eat.
PRINCESS. Who can tell when the terrible curse falls?
TOTMAI (_bowing_). All-powerful gods are good. From one excellently
sweet as thou art no evil comes, O most worthily loved.
PRINCESS. My august uncle would know, O Mimosa, how long I tarry here
with you for refreshment of sweet-smelling air full of the scent of
fragrant flowers. Do you think the fair chrysanthemums at the Palace
will fade without our loving care? O trouble-bringing--I forgot--they
wither at my touch!
MIMOSA (_taking flowers from TOTMAI_). Deign to hold honorable blossoms
in venerated hands----
PRINCESS (_moving away up stage on L._). Nay, I would not have dear
ones die.
MIMOSA (_crossing, TOTMAI follows PRINCESS_). Condescend to listen to
humble Mimosa--take them, O dear lady--deign to see I lay them against
you.
PRINCESS (_hesitatingly_). They, the beautiful ones, die not now, but
watch in an hour, before dark night comes--_they will be dead_!
MIMOSA (_cheerfully_). We will set honorable blooms in water (HARU and
YUKI arrange in vases on stool at L.), we will watch; deign to believe
they will not fade. The people in the village hold happy festival. They
pray humbly for august presence.
PRINCESS. O Mimosa--_I_ go among them? _I?_ (_Moving down R._) I
hear again the cry, the terrible cry of the little child! “O Amairu,
mercy--mercy--I see not, I am blind--blind!”
TOTMAI (_coming up to her R. C._). O Princess, my honorable father
often excellently said: “Live under your own hat. Do well. Deign not to
think what worthy neighbors say!”
YUKI (L.). O Princess, the bird that flies upward does not ruffle
water. The gods are good and merciful, excellent charms are safe. O
lady, forget!
MIMOSA (C.). Condescend to return to the Palace.
PRINCESS. Are these wise words, O Yuki, “Return to the Palace?” O
Mimosa, heart would break if my touch brought evil to the august Son of
Heaven. I will not weep. O kind ones, I will write words to my exalted
uncle. Would that _you_ returned to the gay Palace.
ALL (_bowing_). With you, O most excellently loved!
[_PRINCESS EXITS R., MIMOSA follows._
YUKI. If I had my way the whole trouble-bringing story should be laid
before the august Emperor and truth threshed forth.
TOTMAI. How, O Yuki?
YUKI. The police, if I were Emperor, should bind Sakara!
HARU (_by curtain C._). The bird again!
TOTMAI (_back to first place_). It must speak honorable truth; let us
adorn our hair better. Sit here, O Haru. I will arrange beautiful fans.
YUKI (_crosses to veranda_). Friends come not in the wilderness. The
great white mountain, sacred though it be, I weary of it! Much would
I give to hear the sound of feet on honorable path. (_Steps onto
veranda._)
TOTMAI. Do excellent eyes see honorable visitors, O Yuki?
YUKI. From the threshold I see only great lofty head of Fuzi--from
the village there are sounds of music. O Totmai and O Haru (_takes
Japanese umbrella_), let us forth to the spreading garden to hear
honorable laughter. There is no need to be gloomy and sad, for the sun
shines--and the gods hear prayers! Come! [EXEUNT _all by veranda._
ENTER _LADY CECIL L., followed by MISS PRENDERGAST._
MISS P. (_gasping_). Cecil, how can you be so lamentably, foolishly
rash? People have been thrown into prison for bribing sentries. You
walk in here as if you were the Mikado-ess of Japan! I knew that we
should not escape without some grievous trouble. Come away! (_Pulls
CECIL, who looks around inquisitively._) Come away before they see us
and it is _too late_!
CECIL. Dear G., don’t you like exploring expeditions? No? I remember,
you prefer excavations. Didn’t Professor Anstruther discourse eternally
on the excavation of antiquities? Think what a lovely day we have had!
I contemplate taking my dear little rickshaw man and his carriage back
to London to be the sensation when we go home.
MISS P. (_sighing_). To England? We shall never see our native land
again--and you promised that we should be at home in time for the Sales!
CECIL. So I did, but you wouldn’t like to leave poor Arthur lamenting
alone, searching for the lost heiress? The Princess has left the
Palace. She would have interested the Emperor for him. I must know if
the villagers speak the truth and she is here. G., don’t you think
things assume a darkly tragic air?
MISS P. Dark and tragic, indeed! _It is exactly what I have predicted!_
Ar--his lordship has offended, I feel sure he has offended innocently,
and those horrid little policemen, looking as if they had come out
of a pantomime or a box of toys, will take him off to prison. Then
(_tearfully_) it will be your turn, through your headstrong folly.
Cecil, I implore you not to look out from there--and I--in my
old--ahem!--in the prime of life, will have to accompany you!
CECIL (_at veranda_). G., dear, do come and look at this delicious view!
MISS P. (_remaining L._). I shall not stir from this spot!
CECIL (_running up to her_). Nothing will happen, so don’t draw gloomy
pictures about Arthur. Fancy, roped by these policemen, would one come
for him, or two, or six? They are so painfully polite; one could not
hurt their feelings by refusing. Think what pictures for _Punch_, what
headlines for newspapers. (_Puts an arm around MISS P._) Wouldn’t you
like to be in history?
MISS P. (_emphatically_). Certainly not, my dear! All gunpowder,
conspiracies and plots! Do come away, Cecil, do!
CECIL. There, you have moved and no catastrophe occurs. (_MISS P.
starts and returns to original position._) So sit down. Well, if you
are so in love with that spot, move just an inch or two. I will put
three or four of these charming cushions together. You will be so
comfortable! (_MISS P. sits reluctantly._) Do be a darling and like
explorations as much as excavations. If it is the Princess, think what
news for Arthur!
MISS P. If the gossip Fuyijama tells us correctly, the Princess is a
dangerous young woman.
CECIL (_sitting_). I shall sit real Japanese fashion. Fancy,
an enlightened, highly educated English lady listening to such
superstitious tales!
MISS P. It is all very well, but once you land yourself in prison
nothing can be done to save you. I believe you would quite enjoy
steeping Europe in bloodshed.
CECIL (_laughing_). Europe? Oh, G., when I think of the geography you
made me learn! There, I won’t tease any more. I want to see this poor
little Princess. She is not a bit real Japanesy, you know she isn’t;
and I will tell you a secret, and that is Arthur admires her very much.
MISS P. (_lifting hands in horror_). Poor, innocent, misguided boy!
CECIL. He is not going to ask a Japanese to marry him, but he gave me
to understand he wished she had been English.
MISS P. Beg him instantly to leave the country--tell him you are
ill--the climate is affecting your reason, and we will start to-night!
CECIL. In a little open boat? There is no mail steamer. Think how ill
you were. Would you brave even an open boat for that boy? You need not
be afraid of any terrible _contretemps_. We Cavendishes have a little
common-sense. Listen! what merry laughter. (_Jumps up, helps MISS P. to
her feet._)
TOTMAI (_without_). O Haru, did your eyes ever see the rickshaw tumble
over and the man go sprawling on his face?
ENTER _Japanese girls from veranda, bow profoundly. CECIL also bows.
MISS P. nods stiffly._
THREE GIRLS (_coming down R._). Welcome--honorable welcome!
CECIL (_aside_). Oh, G., I wish I had an elastic backbone!
(_Advances._) The most exalted Princess, can I, ah--G., what is the
right expression? Is it kiss her foot? No, it has something to do with
eyes. I’ll try this--can I salute her eyelids?
YUKI (_bowing_). The most exalted Princess would be honorably pleased
to worship your eyebrow----
CECIL. There, why didn’t I get it right?
YUKI. She will not, O most distinguished, see any one.
CECIL. I hope the--ah--the ah--shadow of the Princess has not grown
less?
ALL. Shadow? The most venerated is not a ghost.
CECIL (_sighing_). Wrong again! G., do help me.
MISS P. (_clearly and emphatically_). Tell the Princess a very great
lady wishes to see her.
HARU (_bowing_). She would wish to see one so very honorably old----
MISS P. Cecil, my dear----
TOTMAI (_bowing_). In our land we venerate the aged.
YUKI (_bowing_). Thy head, O Most Ancient, resembles the snows of
Fuzi----
MISS P. (_looking from one to the other_). Cecil! (_Gasps._)
CECIL (_smiling_). In our land the people have white hair when they
are--quite--young.
TOTMAI. Oh, they are funny in your land--jolly little things!
(_Laughs._)
CECIL. Now, I wonder who taught you that?
HARU. O most worshipful, the great barbarian Englishman.
CECIL. There, G., that’s your beloved Arthur. Do you mean the very tall
Englishman, my brother?
TOTMAI. The Princess has spoken of you, O most excellent. You are the
lady who came with the most worshipful foreigner to the Palace. O Yuki
will run instantly and tell O Mimosa San that you are here with the
most venerated Ancient One.
MISS P. (_turning away_). They are very ignorant, poor little things!
CECIL (_to TOTMAI_). Would you tell me your name?
TOTMAI (_bowing_). Totmai.
CECIL. What do you find to do all day?
TOTMAI. We dance, laugh, sing and care for honorable flowers, we read
and work.
CECIL. Quite like English girls! What do you read?
TOTMAI (_proudly_). I have read the greater learning--the lesser
learning--I know excellently the model letters--and there are many
pleasure-giving stories about fairy princes and powerful soldiers.
CECIL. I am afraid I am too old to care for fairy princes, but tell
me----
ENTER _MIMOSA R., followed by YUKI. Bows deeply._
MIMOSA. O great lady, the exalted Princess sleeps after much sorrow. We
know not where her soul wanders. To call suddenly is evil-bringing.
CECIL. I will come again. Let me see (_triumphantly_), worship her most
exalted eyelash--no, I mean eyebrow----
MIMOSA (_sorrowfully_). The Princess, O most honorable and venerated,
will see no one. She has wiped sad eyes with her kimono sleeve; and we
are laughter-loving in Japan.
CECIL (_kindly_). I hope--ah--happiness will return. We are leaving
your beautiful country. (_Moving C._) Mimosa--may I call you Mimosa?
MIMOSA (_R. C., smiling_). It is my humble name. Leaving beautiful
Japan?
CECIL. My brother, the barbarian, as you call him----
MIMOSA (_earnestly_). The most exalted stranger----
CECIL. Came here to find a girl shipwrecked off the coast of Japan
years ago (_smiles at MISS P._), more than twenty years ago. The
parents were drowned, but one of the sailors has always persisted that
the baby was not drowned, but adopted by kind Japanese. All sorts of
inquiries have been made. A great deal of money comes to her if she
can be found, but my brother, who keeps it if no trace of her can be
discovered, would not rest satisfied until he had visited Japan himself.
MIMOSA. Is it the treasure-flower of most worshipful Englishman that
has been sadly lost?
CECIL. Treasure-flower? What a sweet name! No, Mimosa. The great
barbarian has no little barbarians!
MISS P. Barbarian, indeed! One of the most enlightened and cultivated
members of the powerful English aristocracy!
MIMOSA (_bowing_). We reverence your words, O Most Ancient. Treat an
honorable old woman as thy mother (_bows_) we learn in our cradles. May
you, O most venerated, grow more and more like the pine and the lobster!
MISS P. (_indignantly_). Cecil, I am insulted! A lobster, indeed! Is my
face heated?
CECIL (_quickly_). No, no! Don’t look vexed. It means something
immensely complimentary. See, they are bowing again.
MIMOSA. O most exalted, will you let honorable feet rest longer on
unworthy floor while I see if most exalted Princess returns from the
land of Sleep? Is it known to your powerful intelligence that the
Princess fears a terrible curse?
CECIL. We heard it, Mimosa.
MIMOSA. Would you, O most excellent, fear the touch of the Princess?
CECIL. Fear? Not the least little scrap.
YUKI. And you, O most honorable Ancient?
MISS P. (_snappishly_). If you are addressing me, young woman, it is
all nonsense. I shall be thankful to find myself safely out of this,
and not in prison!
VOICE (_calls_). O Mimosa San!
GIRLS. The Princess!
ENTER PRINCESS R.
CECIL. I have a horrible feeling that I should bow to the earth--kiss
her feet, or something. Poor child, how sad she looks! Now, for a very
low bow.
PRINCESS (_seeing her, starts; she removes R._). Away, most exalted
stranger--away, lest evil come--I am accursed! Away, O most venerable!
MISS P. Are they all mad or blind?
CECIL. We are not afraid--Princess--your Highness. (_Crosses stage._)
PRINCESS. You are brave to come, most honorable lady--come not nearer.
I--am--accursed. (_Hides face._)
CECIL. Accursed? (_Advances impetuously._) Don’t look so sad, you poor
little thing! (_MISS P. expresses horror by many gesticulations._) I
must talk plain English, not high-flown sentiment. Princess or not, I
take both your hands and look into your pretty eyes.
PRINCESS (_shrinking_). Nay, the curse will fall upon you--those I
touch, even the flowers.
MIMOSA (_bowing_). See honorable blossoms, august lady, as fresh and
sweet----
PRINCESS (_advancing slowly_). Is this venerated truth?
CECIL. Oh, don’t shrink like that. If you were in England I should give
you a good hug--it is so comforting.
MISS P. (_crosses excitedly_). You will certainly be in prison before
night. The German Emperor does not call himself Son of Heaven and you
talk to this----
PRINCESS (_sadly_). Is this most exalted lady with excellent hair as
white as Fuzi afraid? Afraid of the curse?
CECIL (_aside_). Now, G., be nice! If you are not I will tell Arthur.
MISS P. (_advancing hurriedly_). No, my dear, I’m not afraid. Give me
your hand. (_Shakes heartily, then drops it hurriedly, glancing at
CECIL._)
PRINCESS. The English ways are strange, yet I like them. Still, O kind
ones, Kiku’s heart is breaking!
MIMOSA (_aside to CECIL_). Deign to beg august one to return to the
Palace.
CECIL (_to PRINCESS_). Dear lady, do not sorrow so. We are leaving
Japan. (_PRINCESS raises head._) Could you not return to the Palace?
You promised graciously to show me your chrysanthemums, and my brother
would be so grateful for your help--he is hunting for a lost heiress.
Dear Princess, return. (_MISS P. sighs._)
PRINCESS. My honorable chrysanthemums would wither.
[_YUKI lays flowers at feet of PRINCESS, who looks down hesitatingly._
CECIL. Dearest Princess, return.
PRINCESS. It is the cry of the child, the dear little honorable child:
“Oh, I am blind--blind!” It echoes in my heart, rings in my ears! A
child! O lady--a little treasure-flower!
CECIL. It couldn’t be true, dear Princess. It couldn’t possibly be
true. It might have been a touch of sunstroke, but not blindness from
your touch. These dear little hands could not hurt a fly. Be comforted,
return. Something tells me you will be glad if you do. Dear lady,
return!
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.