Princess [clapping her hands]. The Babushka, Father, the Babushka!
Marie, Sascha, and Kolinka. The Babushka took the message!
Prince. It was she who brought us here!
Semyon. Have you never heard of the Babushka, Baron?
Baron. Yes, yes! I know the old story of the Babushka, but I never saw her before.
Ivan. She always comes to our village at Christmas time. We don't all see her every year, but somebody always sees her.
Prince. What did she do, Father?
Baron. She did not speak at all. She looked at us for a moment with the softest eyes imaginable, and then she stooped down and pointed to your footprints in the snow. Then she pointed toward the village, smiled, and beckoned to us to follow her. It seemed as if she must have guessed our trouble, and she seemed so sure and so full of cheer, that we couldn't help believing we should find you, and followed her at once. I must reward her liberally for the great service she has done me and mine this night.
Marie. The Babushka wants no reward, Baron. You know what it is she has been searching for all these years? Grandmother says it was Love the Babushka wanted, and she has surely found it, for every little child in Russia loves her dearly, dearly, and watches for her at Christmas time.