OTHER CHILDREN
Yes, yes, let us all go.... They know, they know!
(A great stir in the crowd of CHILDREN. They all run in the same direction and go out on the left. In a moment the hall is emptied of all except TYLTYL, LIGHT, THE SIX GIRLS and DESTINY.)
TYLTYL
Let us go after them too!
(He goes out, followed by LIGHT and THE SIX GIRLS, with DESTINY bringing up the rear. The only occupant of the stage is THE WHITE PHANTOM, whom everybody has overlooked and who has never left the column on the right against which she has been leaning. The stage remains empty for a moment and then, from the back of the halls, comes a CHILD even smaller than the youngest of the FIVE LITTLE ONES. He walks with resolute step; on reaching the columns in the foreground, he appears to take his bearings, turns his head to right and left and then, suddenly, goes straight to THE WHITE PHANTOM, in front of whom he stops and takes up his stand, contemplating her at length, gravely and silently, with his finger in his mouth. At last he puts out one hand and takes THE PHANTOM by the hem of her dress.)
THE SMALLEST OF THEM ALL
Is it ... really you?
THE PHANTOM
(Speaking for the first time and struggling to find her voice, which seems to come from far away and to stick in her throat.) Yes.