PIPER
A dream!
[Pretending to be amazed. Reflects, a moment]
I know!—Oh, what a funny dream!
[The Children all fall a-laughing when he does.—Noise without.
Cheat-the-Devil's voice crying, 'Cuckoo—Cuckoo!'
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
Quick, quick!—I've something here.
[The others roll away a big stone, and enter by the wooden door (rear), CHEAT-THE-DEVIL. He does not wear his red hood. He has a garland round his neck, and a basket on his arm.
PIPER
[sharply to himself]
No Michael yet!
[To CHEAT-THE-DEVIL]
Michael!—Where's Michael?
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
Look you,—you must wait.
We must be cunning.—There's a squirrel, mark you,
Hopped after me! He would have found us out.
I wanted him; I loved him. But I ran.
For once a squirrel falls a-talking.—Ah!
Look what I have.—Guess, guess!
[Showing his basket to the Children.']
CHILDREN
Cakes!
[He is sad]
Shoes!
[He is sadder]
Then—honey!
[He radiantly undoes his basket, and displays a honeycomb. The Strollers,
too, rush upon him.
PIPER
Ah, Cheat-the-Devil! They would crop your ears.
Where had you this?
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
Why, such a kind old farmer!
He'd left his bee-hives; they were all alone;
And the bees know me. So I brought this for you;
I knew They 'd like it.—Oh, you're happy now!
PIPER
But Michael,—have they caught him?
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
Oh, not they!
I heard no word of Michael; Michael's safe!
Once on the road I met a countryman,
Asked me the way. And not a word I spoke!
'Tis far the wisest. Twenty riddles he asked me.
I smiled and wagged my head. Anon cries he,
This Fool is deaf and dumb!'—That made me angry,
But still I spoke not.—And I would not hurt him!
He was a bad man. But I liked the mule.—
Now am I safe!—Now am I home at last!