JAN
[softly]
Mother lets me stay
Here with the Lonely Man.
PIPER
The Lonely Man?
[JAN points to the Christ in the Shrine. VERONIKA crosses herself.
The PIPER looks long at the little boy.
VERONIKA
He always calls Him so.
PIPER
And so would I.
VERONIKA
It grieves him that the Head is always bowed,
And stricken. But he loves more to be here
Than yonder in the church.
PIPER
And so do I.
VERONIKA
What would you, darling, with the Lonely Man?
What do you wait to see?
JAN [shyly] To see Him smile.
[The women murmur. The PIPER comes down further to speak to VERONIKA.
PIPER
You are some foreign woman. Are you not?
Never from Hamelin!