OLD URSULA
There will be nothing young
To follow us to the grave.
AXEL'S WIFE
They tell, she seems
Sore stricken since the day that she was lost,
Lost, searching on the mountain. Since that time,
She will be saying nought. She stares and smiles.
HANS' WIFE
And reaches out her arms,--poor soul!
ALL
Poor soul!
[Murmur in the distance. They do not heed it.
AXEL the Smith
[To the Butcher]
That was no foolish thought of thine, yon candle.
I do remember now as I look back,
They always loved the lights. My Rudi there
Would aye be meddling with my tinder-box.
And once I--Oh!--
[Choking]
AXEL'S WIFE
[soothingly]
Now, now! thou didst not hurt him!
'T was I! Oh, once--I shut him in the dark!
AXEL the Smith
Come home . . . and light the candles.
PETER the Cobbler
In the day-time!
AXEL'S WIFE
Oh, it is dark enough!
AXEL the Smith
Lord knows, who made
Both night and day, one of 'em needs to shine!
But nothing does!--Nothing is daylight now.
Come, wife, we'll light the candles.
[Exit with his wife.
PETER the Cobbler
He's a changed man.
PETER the Sacristan
God help us, what's to do?
[Tumult approaching. Shouts of 'Jacobus' and 'Barbara.'
Hark!
HANS' WIFE
Neighbors!
HANS the Butcher
Hark! Hark!
[AXEL and his wife reenter hastily; AXEL rushes toward the noise.
AXEL'S WIFE
Oh, I hear something! Can it be--
PETER the Cobbler
They're shouting.
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