Chapter IV: Act II (2)

PETER. For the first time since I entered this house, you are yourself, Frederik Grimm. Once more a spark of manhood is alight in your soul. Courage! It's not too late to repent. Turn back, lad! Follow your impulse. Take the little boy in your arms. Go down on your knees and ask his mother's pardon. Turn over a fresh page, that I may leave this house in peace....

FREDERIK. [_Looks about uneasily, then glances towards the door leading into the hall._] Who is at the door? Curious ... I thought I heard someone at ...

PETER. I am at the door--I, Peter Grimm! Annamarie is at the door--the little girl who is ashamed to come home; the old mother in the kitchen breaking her heart for some word. William is at the door--your own flesh and blood--nameless; Katie, sobbing her heart out--you can hear her; all-- we are all at the door--every soul in this house. We are all at the door of your conscience, Frederik.... Don't keep us waiting, my boy. It's very hard to kill the love I had for you. I long to love you again--to take you back to my heart--lies and all. [FREDERIK _rises--in deep thought._] Yes! Call her! Tell her the truth. Give her back her promise.... Give her back her home.... Close the door on a peaceful, happy, silent room and go. Think--think of that moment when you give her back her freedom! Think of her joy, her gratitude, her affection. It's worth living for, lad. Speak! Make haste and call her, Fritz. [FREDERIK _takes several steps--then turns back to the desk. He tears the letter in two, muttering to himself,_ "Damn the woman," _and sinks into his chair._] Frederik Grimm, stand up before me! [FREDERIK _starts to rise, but changes his mind._] Stand up! [FREDERIK _rises--not knowing why he has risen._ PETER _points an accusing finger at_ FREDERIK.] Liar to the dead! Cheat, thief, hypocrite! You sha'n't have my little girl. You only want her for a week, a day, an hour. I refuse. I have come back to take her from you and you cannot put me to rest.... I have come back.... You cannot drive me from your thoughts--I am there.... [_Tapping his forehead, without touching it._] I am looking over your shoulder ... in at the window ... under the door.... You are breathing me in the air.... I am looking at your heart. [_He brings his clenched fist down on the desk in answer to_ FREDERIK'S _gesture; but, despite the seeming violence of the blow, he makes no sound._] Hear me! You shall hear me! Hear me! [_Calling loudly._] Hear me! Hear me! Hear me! Will nobody hear me? Is there no one in this house to hear me? No one? Has my journey been in vain?... [_For the first time fully realizing the situation._] Oh, must we stand or fall by the mistakes we made here and the deed we did? Is there no second chance in this world?

FREDERIK. [_With a sneer on his lips as though trying to banish his thoughts._] Psh!

MARTA _enters with a tray, containing a pot of coffee and a plate of small cakes._ PETER, _who has watched her with appealing eyes, like a dog craving attention, glances from her to the desk and from the desk back to_ MARTA--_trying to tempt her to look at the torn letter._ FREDERIK, _deep in thought, does not notice her._ PETER _points to the desk as though to say, "Look!" After a pause, she picks up the picture and the letter-- holding them in one hand to clear a spot for the tray which she is about to set on the desk._

PETER. [_Speaking in a hushed voice._] Marta, see what you have in your hand ... that letter ... there ... read it.... Run to Catherine with it. Read it from the house-tops.... The letter ... Look! There you have the story of Annamarie.... It is the one way to know the truth in this house-- the only way.... There in your hand--the letter.... He will never speak.... The letter for Catherine.

MARTA _sets down the picture and the letter; but something prompts her to look at them; however, before she can carry out her impulse,_ FREDERIK _starts up._

FREDERIK. My God! How you startled me! [MARTA _sets down the tray._] Oh! To be off and out of this old rat-trap. [_He wipes his forehead with his black-bordered handkerchief._] I mean--our loss comes home to us so keenly here where we are accustomed to see him.

MARTA. A cup of coffee, sir?

FREDERIK. No, no, no.

MARTA. [_Pathetically._] I thought you wished to keep to your uncle's customs.... He always took it at this time.

FREDERIK. [_Recovering._] Yes, yes, of course.

MARTA. ... No word?...

FREDERIK. [_Hesitates._] What do you mean?

MARTA. No letter?

FREDERIK. Letter?... [_Covering the letter with his hand._] From whom?...

MARTA. From ... At a time like this, I thought ... I felt ... that Annamarie ... that there should be some message.... Every day I expect to hear ...

FREDERIK. No.

PETER _gestures to_ MARTA--_pointing to the picture and letter, now covered by_ FREDERIK'S _hand._

MARTA. [_Hesitating._] Are you certain?

FREDERIK. Quite certain. [_She curtsies and leaves the room._ FREDERIK, _as though relieved to see her go, jumps to his feet, and, tearing the letter in smaller pieces, lights them in the candle, dropping the burning pieces on a tray. As the flame dies out,_ FREDERIK _brushes the blackened paper into the waste-basket._] There's an end to _that_!

PETER _crouches near the basket--hovering over it, his hinds clasped helplessly. After a pause, he raises his hand, until it points to a bedroom above. An echo of the circus music is very faintly heard; not with the blaring of brasses, but with the sounds of elfin horns, conveying the impression of a phantom circus band. The door of_ WILLIAM'S _room opens, and he comes out as though to listen to the music. He wears a sleeping suit and is bare-footed. He has come down stairs before_ FREDERIK _sees him._ FREDERIK _quickly puts aside the photograph, laying it on the desk, covering it with his hand._

FREDERIK. [_Gruffly._] Why aren't you in bed? If you're ill, that's the proper place for you.

WILLIAM. I came down to hear the circus music.

FREDERIK. Circus music?

WILLIAM. It woke me up.

FREDERIK. The circus left town days ago. You must have been dreaming.

WILLIAM. The band's playing now. Don't you hear it, sir? The procession's passing. [_He runs to the window and opens it. The music stops. A breeze sweeps through the room--bellies out the curtains and causes the lustres to jingle on the mantel. Surprised._] No. It's almost dark. There's no procession ... no shining horses.... [_Turning sadly away from the window._] I wonder what made me think the--I must have been dreaming. [_Rubbing his eyes._

FREDERIK. [_Goes to the window, closes it. The child looks at him and, in retreating from him, unconsciously backs towards_ PETER.] Are you feeling better?

WILLIAM. Yes, sir, I feel better--and hungry.

FREDERIK. Go back to bed.

WILLIAM. Yes, sir. [FREDERIK _sits._

PETER. Where's your mother, William?

WILLIAM. Do you know where Annamarie is?

PETER. Ah!

FREDERIK. Why do you ask me? What should I know of her?

WILLIAM. Grandmother doesn't know; Miss Catherine doesn't know; nobody knows.

FREDERIK. I don't know, either. [_Tears up the picture--turning so that_ WILLIAM _does not see what he is doing._ PETER, _who has been smiling at_ WILLIAM, _motions him to come nearer._ WILLIAM, _feeling_ PETER'S _presence, looks round the room._

WILLIAM. Mr. Frederik, where's _old_ Mr. Grimm?

FREDERIK. Dead.

WILLIAM. Are you sure he's dead? 'Cause--[_Puzzled--unable to explain himself, he hesitates._

FREDERIK. [_Annoyed._.] You'd better go to bed.

WILLIAM. [_Pointing to a glass of water on a tray._] Can I have a drink of water, please?

FREDERIK. Go to bed, sir, or you'll be punished. Water's not good for little boys with fever.

WILLIAM. [_Going towards the stairs._] Wish I could find a cold brook and lie in it. [_Goes slowly up the stairs._ FREDERIK _would destroy the pieces of the picture; but_ PETER _faces him as though forbidding him to touch it, and, for the first time,_ FREDERIK _imagines he sees the apparition of his uncle._

FREDERIK. [_In a very low voice--almost inaudibly._] My God! I thought I saw ... [_Receding a step and yet another step as the vision of_ PETER _is still before him, he passes out of the room, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead._ WILLIAM, _hearing the door close, comes down stairs and, running to the table at back, drinks a glass of water._

WILLIAM. Um! That's good!

PETER. William! [WILLIAM _doesn't see_ PETER _yet, but he feels his influence._

WILLIAM. Wish it _had_ been the circus music.

PETER. You shall hear it all again. [_Gestures towards the plate of cakes on the tray._] Come, William, here's something very nice.

WILLIAM. [_Seeing the cakes._] Um! Cakes! [_He steals to the tray, looking over his shoulder in fear of being caught._

PETER. Don't be frightened. I'm here to protect you. Help yourself to the cakes. William, do you think you could deliver a message for me ... a very important message?...

_The circus music is heard._ WILLIAM _sits at the tray and_ PETER _seats himself opposite as though he were the host doing the honours._ WILLIAM, _being unconsciously coaxed by_ PETER, _is prevailed upon to choose the biggest cake. He takes a bite, looking towards_ PETER.

WILLIAM. [_To himself._] Ha!... Think I am dreaming. [_Rubbing his little stomach ecstatically._] Hope I won't wake up and find there wasn't any cake.

PETER. Don't worry, you won't. [WILLIAM _has taken another piece of cake which he nibbles at--now holding a piece in each hand._] Pretty substantial dream, eh? There's a fine, fat raisin. [WILLIAM _eats the raisin, then looks into the sugar-bowl._] Don't hesitate, William. Sugar won't hurt you now. Nothing can hurt you any more. Fall to, William--help yourself. [WILLIAM _looks over his shoulder, fearing the return of_ FREDERIK.] Oh, he won't come back in a hurry. Ha! Frederik thought he saw me, William; well, he didn't. He had a bad conscience--hallucination. [WILLIAM _nibbles a lump of sugar._] Now, William, I have a message for you. Won't you try and take it for me, eh? [_But_ WILLIAM _eats another lump of sugar._] I see ... I can't expect to get any assistance from a boy while his little stomach's calling. [WILLIAM _empties the cream jug and helps himself to cakes. Presently the music dies out._] Now I'm going to tell you something. [_Impressively._] You're a very lucky boy, William; I congratulate you. Do you know why--of all this household--you are the only one to help me?... This is the secret: in a little time--it won't be long--you're going--[_As though he were imparting the most delightful information._]--to know better! Think of _that_! Isn't the news splendid? [_But_ WILLIAM _eats on._] Think of what most of us have to endure before _we_ know better! Why, William, you're going into the circus without paying for a ticket. You're laying down the burden before you climb the hill. And in your case, William, you are fortunate indeed; for there are some little soldiers in this world already handicapped when they begin the battle of life.... Their parents haven't fitted them for the struggle.... Like little moon moths,--they look in at the windows; they beat at the panes; they see the lights of happy firesides--the lights of home; but they never get in.... You are one of these wanderers, William.... And so, it is well for you that before your playing time is over--before your man's work begins,--you're going to know the great secret. Happy boy! No coarsening of your child's heart, until you stand before the world like Frederik; no sweat and toil such as dear old James is facing; no dimming of the eye and trembling of the hand such as the poor old Doctor shall know in time to come; no hot tears to blister your eyes, ... tears such as Katie is shedding now; but, in all your youth, your faith--your innocence,--you'll fall asleep and oh! the awakening, William!... "It is well with the _child_." [WILLIAM _lays down the cake and, clasping his hands, thinks._ PETER _answers his thoughts._] What? No--don't think of it! Nonsense! You _don't_ want to grow up to be a man. Grow up to fail? Or, still worse--to succeed--to be famous? To wear a heavy laurel wreath? A wreath to be held up by tired hands that ache for one hour's freedom. No, no, you're to escape all that, William; joy is on the way to meet you with sweets in its outstretched hands and laughter on its lips. [WILLIAM _takes the last swallow of a piece of cake, exclaims_ "Hm!" _in a satisfied way, brushes the crumbs off his lap, and sits back in his chair._] Have you had enough? Good! William, I want you to try to understand that you're to help me, will you? Will you tell Miss Catherine that--

WILLIAM. [_Without looking up, his hands folded in his lap._] Take me back with you, Mr. Grimm?

PETER. Can you see me, William?

WILLIAM. No, sir; but I know.

PETER. Come here. [WILLIAM _doesn't move._] Here ... here ... [WILLIAM _advances to the center of the room and pauses hesitatingly._] Take my hand ... [WILLIAM _approaches in the direction of the voice._ PETER _takes_ WILLIAM'S _outstretched hand._] Have you got it?

WILLIAM. No, sir....

PETER. [_Putting his hand on_ WILLIAM'S _head._] Now?... Do you feel it?

WILLIAM. I feel something, yes, sir. [_Puts his hand on_ PETER'S _hand, which is still on his head._] But where's your hand? There's nothing there.

PETER. But you hear me?

WILLIAM. I can't really hear you.... It's a dream. [_Coaxingly._] Oh, Mr. Grimm, take me back with you.

PETER. You're not quite ready to go with me yet, William--not until we can see each other face to face.

WILLIAM. Why did you come back, Mr. Grimm? Wasn't it nice where you were?

PETER. It was indeed. It was like--[_Whimsically._]--new toys.

WILLIAM. [_To whom the idea appeals._] As nice as that!

PETER. Nicer. But I had to come back with this message. I want you to help me to deliver it. [_Indicating the picture._

WILLIAM. Where's the bosom of Abraham, Mr. Grimm?

PETER. Eh?

WILLIAM. The minister says you're asleep there.

PETER. Stuff and nonsense! I haven't been near the bosom of Abraham.

WILLIAM. Too bad you died before you went to the circus, Mr. Grimm. But it must be great to be in a place where you can look down and see the circus for nothing. Do you remember the clown that sang: "Uncle Rat has gone to town?"

PETER. Yes, indeed; but let us talk of something more important. Come here, William [_He starts towards the desk._]; would you like to see someone whom all little boys love--love more than anybody else in the whole world? [PETER _is standing at the desk with his finger on the torn pieces of the picture._

WILLIAM. Yes, the clown in the circus.... No ... it isn't a clown; ... it's our mother.... Yes, I want to see my mother, Annamarie. [_Unconsciously_ WILLIAM _comes to the desk and sees the torn picture-- picks up a piece and looks at it. Very simply._] Why ... there she is!... That's her face.

PETER. Ah! You recognize her. Mother's face is there, William, but it's in little bits. We must put her together, William. We must show her to everybody in the house, so that everybody will say: "How in the world did she ever get here? To whom does this picture belong?" We must set them to thinking.

WILLIAM. Yes. Let us show her to everybody. [_He sits and joins the pieces under the guidance of_ PETER.] Annamarie ... Annamarie ...

PETER. You remember many things, William ... things that happened when you lived with Annamarie, don't you?

WILLIAM. I was very little....

PETER. Still, you remember....

WILLIAM. [_Evasively._] I was afraid....

PETER. You loved her.

WILLIAM. [_To picture._] Oh, yes ... yes, I loved you.

PETER. Now, through that miracle of love, you can remember many things tucked away in your childish brain,--things laid away in your mind like toys upon a shelf. Come, pick them up and dust them off and bring them out again. It will come back. When you lived with Annamarie ... there was you ... and Annamarie ... and--

WILLIAM. --and the other one.

PETER. Ah! We're getting nearer! Who _was_ the other one?

WILLIAM. [_Gives a quick glance towards the door--then as though speaking to the picture._] I must put you together before _he_ comes back. [_He fits the other pieces together_--PETER _trying to guide him. Presently_ WILLIAM _hums as a child will when at play, singing the tune of "Uncle Rat."_] "Uncle Rat has gone to town."

PETER _and_ WILLIAM. [_Singing together._] "Ha! H'm!" [_At this instant_, PETER _is indicating another piece of the picture._

WILLIAM. Her other foot. [_Then sings._]

"Uncle Rat has gone to town,
To buy his niece a wedding gown."

[_Adjusting a piece of the picture._] Her hand.

WILLIAM _and_ PETER. [_Singing._] "Ha! H'm!"

WILLIAM. Her other hand. [_Sings_.] "What shall the wedding breakfast be? Hard boiled eggs and--" [_Speaking_.] Where's--[WILLIAM _pauses--looking for a piece of the picture_.

PETER. [_Finishing the verse_.] "A cup of tea." [_With a gesture as though knocking on the door of the adjoining room to attract_ MRS. BATHOLOMMEY'S _attention_.

WILLIAM. [_Speaks_.] There's her hat.

WILLIAM _and_ PETER. [_Singing_.] "Ha! H'm!"

WILLIAM. [_Stops singing and claps his hands with boyish delight--staring at the picture_.] Annamarie! Annamarie! You're not in bits any more-- you're all put together.

_By this time,_ PETER _is going up the stairs, and, as he stands in front of_ CATHERINE'S _door, it opens_. PETER _passes in and_ CATHERINE _comes out_.

CATHERINE. [_Astonished_.] Why, William! What are you doing here?

WILLIAM. Miss Catherine! Come down! Come down! I have something to show you.

CATHERINE. [_Not coming down_.] No, dear--come upstairs; there's a good boy. You mustn't play down there. Come to bed. [_Passes into_ WILLIAM'S _room_.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Who has entered, and sees_ WILLIAM..] William!

WILLIAM. Look--look! [_Pointing to the picture_.] See what old Mr. Grimm brought back with him.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Alarmed_.] What are you talking about, William? Old Mr. Grimm is dead.

WILLIAM. No, he isn't; ... he's come back.... He has been in this room.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. Absurd!

WILLIAM. I was talking to him.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. You're feverish again. I must get the Doctor. [_Comes down to_ WILLIAM.] And I thought you were feeling better! [_Seeing_ CATHERINE, _who appears on the balcony as though wondering why_ WILLIAM _doesn't come to bed_.] The child's mind is wandering. He imagines all sorts of things. I'll call the Doctor--

PETER. [_Who has re-entered._] You needn't--he's coming now. Come in, Andrew. I'm giving you one more chance.

_The_ DOCTOR _enters, wearing his skull-cap, and carrying his pipe in his hand. It is evident that he has come over in a hurry._

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Surprised._] I was just going for you. How fortunate that you came.

DR. MACPHERSON. I thought I'd have another peep at William.

_By this time_, CATHERINE _has seated herself on a chair, and takes_ WILLIAM _on her lap. He puts his arms round her neck._

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. He's quite delirious.

DR. MACPHERSON. Doesn't look it. [_Putting his hand on_ WILLIAM'S _cheek and forehead._] Very slight fever. What makes you think he was delirious? [_Taking_ WILLIAM'S _pulse._

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Interrupting._] He said that old Mr. Grimm was in this room--that he was talking to him.

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Interested._] Yes? Really? Well, possibly he is. Nothing remarkable in _that_, is there?

PETER. Well, at last!

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. What? Oh, of course, you believe in--

DR. MACPHERSON. In fact, I had a compact with him to return if--

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. A compact? Of all the preposterous--

DR. MACPHERSON. Not at all. Dozens of cases on record--as I can show you-- where these compacts have actually been kept. [_Suddenly struck--looking at_ WILLIAM.] I wonder if that boy's a sensitive. [_Hand on his chin._] I wonder ...

CATHERINE. [_Echoing the_ DOCTOR'S _words._] A sensitive?

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. What's that?

DR. MACPHERSON. It's difficult to explain. I mean a human organism so constituted that it can be _informed_ or _controlled_ by those who--er-- have--[_With a gesture._] crossed over.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. I think I'll put the boy to bed, Doctor.

DR. MACPHERSON. Just a moment, Mistress Batholommey. I'm here to find out what ails William. William, what makes you think that Mr. Grimm is in this room?

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. I wouldn't have the child encouraged in such ideas, Catherine. I--

DR. MACPHERSON. Sh! Please, please. [_Taking the boy on his knee._] What makes you think Peter Grimm is in this room?

WILLIAM. [_Hesitating._] ... The things he said to me.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. Said to you?

CATHERINE. [_Wonderingly._] William, ... are you sure he ...

DR. MACPHERSON. Said to you, eh? [WILLIAM _nods assent._] _Old_ Mr. Grimm? [WILLIAM _nods._] Sure of that, William?

WILLIAM. Oh. yes, sir.

DR. MACPHERSON. Think before you speak, my boy; what did Mr. Grimm say to you?

WILLIAM. Lots of things ...

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. Really!

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Raises his hand for silence._] How did he look, William?

WILLIAM. I didn't see him.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. Ha!

DR. MACPHERSON. You must have seen something.

WILLIAM. I thought once I saw his hat on the peg where it used to hang. [_Looks at the peg._] No, it's gone.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Remonstrating._] Doctor!

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Thinking._] I wonder if he really did--

CATHERINE. Do you think he could have seen Uncle Peter?

PETER. [_Pointing to the desk._] William!

WILLIAM. Look! ... [_Points to the picture._] That's what I wanted to show you when you were upstairs.

CATHERINE. [_Seeing the picture._] It's his mother--Annamarie.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. The Lord save us--his mother! I didn't know you'd heard from Annamarie.

CATHERINE. We haven't.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. Then how'd that picture get into the house?

PETER. Ah! I knew she'd begin! Now that she's wound up, we shall get at the truth.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. It's a new picture. She's much changed. How ever did it find its way here?

CATHERINE. I never saw it before. It's very strange.... We've all been waiting for news of her. Even her mother doesn't know where she is, or-- could Marta have received this since I--

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. I'll ask her. [_Exit into dining-room._

CATHERINE. If not, who had the picture?... And why weren't we _all_ told?... Who tore it up? Did you, William? [WILLIAM _shakes his head, meaning "No."_] Who has been at the desk? No one save Frederik ... Frederik ... and surely he--[_She pauses--perplexed._

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Re-entering._] No, Marta hasn't heard a word; and, only a few minutes ago, she asked Frederik if some message hadn't come, but he said "No, nothing." I didn't tell her of the picture.

CATHERINE. [_Looking at the picture._] I wonder if there was any message with it.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. I remember the day that picture came ... the day your uncle died.... It was in a long blue envelope--the size of the picture.... I took it from the postman myself because every one was distracted and rushing about. It dropped to the floor and as I picked it up I thought I knew the writing; but I couldn't remember whose it was.... It was directed to your uncle.... [_Looking from the desk to the waste-basket._] There's the envelope [_Holding up a scrap of blue envelope._] and paper; ... some one has burned it.

CATHERINE. Annamarie wrote to my uncle ...

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Not understanding._] But what could Peter have to say to _me_ concerning Annamarie? [_Making a resolution--rising._] We're going to find out. You may draw the curtains, Catherine, if you please. [CATHERINE _draws the curtains. The_ DOCTOR _turns the lights down and closes the door. A pause._] Peter Grimm ...

PETER. Yes, Andrew?...

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Not hearing._] If you have come back ... if you are in the room ... and the boy speaks truly--give me some sign ... some indication ...

PETER. I can't give you a sign, Andrew.... I have spoken to the boy ... the boy ...

DR. MACPHERSON. If you cannot make your presence known to me--I know there are great difficulties--will you try and send your message by William? I presume you have one--

PETER. Yes, that's right.

DR. MACPHERSON. --or else you wouldn't have come back.

PETER. That's just the point I wanted to make, Andrew. You understand perfectly.

DR. MACPHERSON. [_As before._] I am waiting.... We are all waiting. [_Noticing that a door is a trifle ajar._] The door's open again. [MRS. BATHOLOMMEY, _without making a sound, closes it and sits as before._

PETER. Sh! Listen! [_A pause._

WILLIAM. [_In a peculiar manner--as though in a half dream--but not shutting his eyes. As though controlled by_ PETER.] There was Annamarie and me and the other.

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Very low, as though afraid to interrupt_ WILLIAM'S _train of thought._] What other?

WILLIAM. The man ... that came.

DR. MACPHERSON. What man?

WILLIAM. The man that made Annamarie cry.

CATHERINE. Who was he?

WILLIAM. I don't know ...

PETER. Yes, you do. Don't tell lies, William.

DR. MACPHERSON. What man made Annamarie cry?

WILLIAM. I can't remember....

PETER. Yes, you can.... You're afraid....

CATHERINE. [_In a low voice._] So you do remember the time when you lived with Annamarie; ... you always told me that you didn't ... [_To_ DR. MACPHERSON.] I must know more of this--[_Pauses abruptly._] Think, William, who came to the house?

PETER. That's what _I_ asked you, William.

WILLIAM. That's what _he_ asked ...

DR. MACPHERSON. Who?

WILLIAM. Mr. Grimm.

DR. MACPHERSON. When, William?

WILLIAM. Just now ...

CATHERINE _and_ MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Together._] Just now!

DR. MACPHERSON. H'm.... You both ask the same question, eh? The man that came to see--

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Perplexed._] It can't be possible that the child knows what he's talking about.

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Ignoring her._] What did you tell Mr. Grimm when he asked you?

PETER. You'd better make haste, William. Frederik is coming back.

WILLIAM. [_Looking uneasily over his shoulder._] I'm afraid.

CATHERINE. Why does he always look towards that door? You're not afraid now, William?

WILLIAM. [_Looking towards the door._] N-no--but.... Please, please don't let Mr. Frederik come back. 'Cause then I'll be afraid again.

DR. MACPHERSON. Ah!

PETER. William! William!

WILLIAM. [_Rising quickly._] Yes, Mr. Grimm?

PETER. You must say that I am very unhappy.

WILLIAM. He says he is very unhappy.

DR. MACPHERSON. Why is he unhappy?... Ask him.

WILLIAM. Why are you unhappy, Mr. Grimm?

PETER. I am thinking of Catherine's future....

WILLIAM. [_Not understanding the last word--puzzled._] Eh?

PETER. To-morrow ...

WILLIAM. [_After a slight pause._] To-morrow ...

PETER. Catherine's--

WILLIAM. [_Looks at_ CATHERINE--_hesitating._] Your--[_Stops._ CATHERINE _gives the_ DOCTOR _a quick glance--she seems to divine the message._

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Prompting._] Her--

CATHERINE. What, William? What of to-morrow?

PETER. She must not marry Frederik.

WILLIAM. I mustn't say _that_.

DR. MACPHERSON. What?

WILLIAM. What he wanted me to say. [_Points towards_ PETER. _All instinctively look towards the spot to which_ WILLIAM _points, but they see no one._

PETER. [_Speaking slowly to the boy._] Catherine--must--not--marry Frederik Grimm.

DR. MACPHERSON. Speak, William. No one will hurt you.

WILLIAM. Oh, yes, _he_ will.... [_Looking timidly towards the door_ FREDERIK _passed through._] I don't want to tell his name--'cause ... 'cause ...

DR. MACPHERSON. Why don't you tell the name, William?

PETER. Make haste, William, make haste.

WILLIAM. [_Trembling._] I'm afraid ... I'm afraid ... he will make Annamarie cry; ... he makes me cry ...

CATHERINE. [_With suppressed excitement--half to herself._] Why are you afraid of him? Was Frederik the man that came to see Annamarie?

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. Catherine!

CATHERINE. [_On her knees before_ WILLIAM.] Was he? Was it Frederik Grimm? Tell me, William.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. Surely you don't believe ...

CATHERINE. [_In a low voice._] I've thought of a great many things to-day ... little things ... little things I'd never noticed before.... I'm putting them together just as he put that picture together.... I must know the truth.

PETER. William, make haste.... Frederik is listening at the door.

WILLIAM. [_Frightened._] I won't say any more. He's there ... at the door ... [_He looks over his shoulder and_ CATHERINE _goes towards the door._

DR. MACPHERSON. William, tell me.

PETER. William!

CATHERINE _opens the door suddenly._ FREDERIK _is standing, listening. He is taken unawares and for a few seconds he does not move--then he recovers._

WILLIAM. Please don't let him scold me. I'm afraid of him. [_Going towards the stairs--looking at_ FREDERIK.] I was afraid of him when I lived with Annamarie and he came to see us and made her cry.

DR. MACPHERSON. Are you sure you remember that? Weren't you too small?

WILLIAM. No, I do remember.... I always did remember; only for a little while I--I forgot.... I must go to bed. He told me to. [_Goes upstairs._

PETER. [_Calling after_ WILLIAM.] You're a good boy, William. [WILLIAM _goes to his room._

CATHERINE. [_After a slight pause--simply._] Frederik, you've heard from Annamarie.... [_Gestures towards the desk._ FREDERIK _sees the photograph and is silent._] You've had a letter from her. You tried to destroy it. Why did you tell Marta that you'd had no message--no news? You went to see her, too. Why did you tell me that you'd never seen her since she went away? Why did you lie to me? Why do you hate that child?

FREDERIK. Are you going to believe what that boy--

CATHERINE. I'm going to find out. I'm going to find out where she is, before I marry you. That child may be right or wrong; but I'm going to know what his mother was to you. I want the truth.

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Who has been in thought--now looking up._] We've heard the truth. We had that message from Peter Grimm himself.

CATHERINE. Yes, it is true. I believe Uncle Peter Grimm was in this room to-night.

FREDERIK. [_Not surprised--glancing towards the spot where_ PETER _stood when he thought he saw him._] Oh! You, too? Did you see him, too?

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [_Incredulously._] Impossible!

CATHERINE. I don't care what anyone else may think--people have the right to think for themselves; but I believe he has been here--he _is_ here. Uncle Peter, if you can hear me now, give me back my promise--or--or I'll take it back!

PETER. [_Gently--smilingly--relieved._] I did give it back to you, my dear; but what a time I have had getting it across!

CURTAIN.