JAPAN
Blindman. Come along. (They see the Mute.)
Blindman. What's this? Who's that fellow? Let's give him a start. (Both together) Hulloa! Hulloa!
Mute. Wa-a-a!
Blindman and Cripple (both laughing). Well! This is funny!
Mute. Oh, it's you fellows, is it? No doubt the bad luck you've had lately sent you here?
Cripple. Precisely. Just so.
Mute. And what did you come as?
Cripple. He came as a blindman and I as a cripple. And what are you?"
Mute. Well, you see, as folks say that I've a particularly glib tongue, I went in for a change and became a mute.
Blindman. Yes, indeed. You were a regular mute just now.
Mute. Our host has gone away for four or five days. Didn't he put you in charge of anything?
Cripple. Certainly we are in charge. The Blindman has the Chinese room, and I have the strong-room.
Mute. Oh, ho! Those are very nice things!
Blindman. And you, are you in charge of anything?
Mute. I am looking after the cellar.
Blindman and Cripple (both). That's better still.
Mute. I'll tell you my idea. Let's first open the cellar that I am in charge of, and have a drink. Then we'll open the strong-room and play a few games; and then we'll open the Chinese room and clear out with its contents.
Blindman and Cripple (together). That'll be first-rate.
Mute. Come along then, come along. I'll open the cellar. Here we are. Here we are. Here's the door. (Zara zara, sound of door opening.) Dear me,
56
