Chapter IX: Act III

[_A garret._ WINTER _disguised as old woman by means
of long, dark cape. Sits sewing on a square of
tarlatan, on which has been pasted cotton to
represent a house covered with snow. Enter_
PRINCESS, _quite out of breath. She is dressed in
brown, decorated with autumn leaves to represent
the earth in the fall. She wears one large, red
rose, which is almost ready to fall to pieces._]

PRINCESS. [_Shivering._] Ugh! it’s cold and dismal up here. Why, good day, Granny.

WINTER. [_In voice of old woman._] Good day, Princess.

PRINCESS. [_Clapping her hands._] Do you know, Granny, I’m having such fun. I have run away, and the whole court is searching for me. I wanted to see what was hidden up here. What are you doing, Granny? What is that tiny sharp thing in your hand?

WINTER. ’Tis a needle, child. See, I put it in [_slowly_] and draw it out, so. It leaves a pretty picture on the cloth. [_Holds it up._]

PRINCESS. [_Delightedly._] How very interesting! Good Granny, do give me leave to try.

WINTER. [_Rising._] Certainly, my child, sit here. [PRINCESS _seats herself in the chair and takes the sewing_.] I will teach you to embroider to your heart’s content.

[PRINCESS _handles the needle very awkwardly_,
WINTER _bends over as if to help her._]

PRINCESS. [_Slowly and in a vexed tone._] It isn’t so easy as it did appear. There, I think I’ll not work longer now. Oh! oh! I’ve pricked my finger. See, it bleeds! Oh! oh! oh! [_Falls back in the chair asleep._]

[WINTER _laughs softly. Throws off her cape, and waves
wand over sleeping_ PRINCESS. _Music, “The Last
Rose of Summer.” A fall of paper snow here is
effective, but unnecessary._ WINTER _touches the
rose, and it falls to pieces._]

WINTER. [_Softly to the music accompaniment._] So there, my Pretty One, sleep. Dream of the Prince if you must, but sleep until he comes. I’ll see to it that the time be long. Sleep! sleep! By my magic I’ll waft you downward where sleeps the court. ’Twill be a brave prince who’ll venture here when I have done my best. Sleep, my Pretty One, sleep, sleep.

[CURTAIN]