Herman. And here is the now useless codicil.
Rip. [Advancing, paper in hand.] Let me read it. [All turn amazedly towards him.] “Should the said Rip Van Winkle tink fit to annul dis contract vithin twenty years and a day, he shall be at full liberty to do so.”
Herman. How came you by that document?
Rip. You see I've got it, and dat is a fact.
Herman. Who gave it to you?
Rip. Your old blackguard of a fader.
Dame. Oh, you are—you are—
Rip. Yes, I am—I am Rip Van Winkle! [All start.—Dame, with a loud scream, falls into Knickerbocker's arms.] Dere! for de first time in my life, I have doubled up my old woman!
Knickerbocker carries off Dame.
Lowena. Oh, it is my father—my dear, dear father! [Runs into his arms.