PIPER
Oh, how horrible!
Why should he not be living?--What am I?
VERONIKA
I do not know.
PIPER
Do you take me for the Devil?
VERONIKA
I do not know.
PIPER
Yet you were not afraid?
VERONIKA
What is there now to fear?
PIPER
[watching her]
Where are the townsfolk?
VERONIKA
They are all gone to Rudersheim. . .
PIPER
[still watchful]
How so?
VERONIKA
Where, for a penance, Barbara, Jacob's daughter,
Will take the veil. His one, for all of ours!
It will be over now.
PIPER
Have none returned?
VERONIKA
I know not; I am searching, since the dawn.
PIPER
To-day?
VERONIKA
And every day.
PIPER
That herd-bell, there
Why do you bring it?
VERONIKA
[sobbing]
Oh, he loves them so.
I knew, if he but heard it, he would follow--
PIPER
No more. I know!
VERONIKA
An if he could!
PIPER
[like a wounded animal]
You hurt me
Somewhere,--you hurt me!
VERONIKA
You!--A man of air?
PIPER
What, am I that?
VERONIKA
What are you?--Give them back!
Give them to me, I say. You have them hidden.
Are they all living?
PIPER
[struggling with pity]
Yes, yes.
VERONIKA
Give them back!
PIPER
No.
VERONIKA
But they live, they live?
PIPER
--Wilt thou believe me?
VERONIKA
And are they safe?
PIPER
Yes.
VERONIKA
And you hide them?
PIPER
Yes.
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