HANS' WIFE Look! Look!-- And wings upon it! Mercy, what a shoe.-- Don't give it back.--The child will fly away!

PIPER No, no!

[Looking up at the window soothingly.]

He only wanted one to show--

JAN To Mother!--See.

[Showing her his other foot, joyously]

PIPER [to him]

And this,--wilt leave it here?

Here--with--

JAN The Lonely Man! Oh, make Him smile!

[The PIPER crosses to the Shrine, with the little shoe, and hangs it up there; then he turns towards the window, waving his hand.

CHILDREN Where are you going? . . .

[They run and cling.]

PIPER Ah, the high-road now!

CHILDREN Oh! why?

PIPER I have to find somebody there.

Yes, now and every day, and everywhere The wide world over.--So: good-night, good-morning, Good-by! There's so much piping left to do,-- I must be off, and pipe.

CHILDREN Oh! why?

PIPER I promised, Look you! . . .

CHILDREN Who is it?

PIPER Why,--the Lonely Man.

[He waves them farewells and goes. The Children dance and laugh and sparkle. Through the hundred sounds of joy, there comes a far-off piping.

THE END