(Mrs. Fayth holds out both hands lovingly. Then she sinks to the ground upon her knees and makes the delicate motion of one who puts to her lips the edge of the robe of the Unseen Passer. Her whole expression is rapturous.)
(Laddie, breaking away from his elders, now boldly steps out into the path. He looks up; shades his eyes, as if from a brilliance; then confidingly puts out his hand, as if he placed it in an Unseen Hand, and walks along, smiling like a child who is led by One whom he trusts and loves.)
Dr. Thorne (in distress). I see nothing!—No one! I am blind—blind!
(Chanting.)
“Thou that takest away
The sins of the world!” ...
(Dr. Thorne covers his face. The music ceases. The air grows dimmer than twilight. But there is no moon, nor is it dark. The groups in the foreground move away in quiet happiness, like those who have had their heart’s wish granted.)
(Harvey, Mrs. True, Norah, Jerry, and Maidie mingle with the other spirits.)
(Mrs. Fayth rises from her knees; melts slowly in the dusk.)
(Laddie runs into the grove, and disappears in the gloom. He acts as if looking for some one.)
Dr. Thorne (remains alone. He paces the grove, irresolute—then suddenly turns in the direction whence the Invisible had come; walks uncertainly up the path; searches, as if for signs of the Passer; examines the grass, the shrubbery; touches the flowers, to see if they had bent beneath His feet; stoops; examines the pathway reverently; speaks in a low tone). The footprint! I have found the footprint! There was One passing. And He stepped here. But I was blind! (Hesitates; lifts his face to the sky; drops it to his breast; murmurs inarticulately. Then slowly—as if half his nature battled with the other half, and every fibre of his being yielded hard—he drops upon his knees. He remains silent in this posture.)