CATHERINE. [Coming back to PETER and looking at him transfixed.] Uncle
Peter! Answer me! … It's Katie!

The DOCTOR enters hurriedly.

DR. MACPHERSON. Is it … Peter? [He goes quickly to PETER and listens to his heart. CATHERINE and FREDERIK on either side of him. The DOCTOR with tender sympathy takes CATHERINE in his arms.

WILLIAM. [Rushes in with two tickets in his hand, leaving the door open.
The circus music is faintly heard.] Mr. Grimm!

DR. MACPHERSON. Sh! [A pause as though breaking the news to them all.]
He's gone.

FREDERIK. [Questioningly—dazed.] Dead? [CATHERINE is overcome.

WILLIAM. [At PETER'S side—holding up the circus ticket.] He can't be dead … I've got his ticket to the circus.

CURTAIN.

ACT II.

SCENE. The second act takes place ten days later, towards the close of a rainy afternoon. A fire is burning in the grate and a basket of hickory wood stands beside the hearth. PETER'S hat is no longer on the peg. His pipes and jar of tobacco are missing. A number of wedding presents are set on a table, some unopened. The interior of the room, with its snapping fire, forms a pleasant contrast to the gloomy exterior. The day is fading into dusk. MRS. BATHOLOMMEY is at the piano, playing the wedding march from "Lohengrin." Four little girls are grouped about her, singing the words to the air.