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]