PIPER [watching her] Where are the townsfolk?
VERONIKA
They are all gone to Rudersheim. . .
PIPER [still watchful] How so?
VERONIKA
Where, for a penance, Barbara, Jacob's daughter,
Will take the veil. His one, for all of ours!
It will be over now.
PIPER
Have none returned?
VERONIKA
I know not; I am searching, since the dawn.
PIPER
To-day?
VERONIKA
And every day.
PIPER
That herd-bell, there
Why do you bring it?
VERONIKA
[sobbing]
Oh, he loves them so.
I knew, if he but heard it, he would follow—
PIPER
No more. I know!