Life. I shall beat you, for the cries of those who fear me are sweet in my ears. [Beats her.]
Second Girl. Master!
Life [flinging aside whip]. But sweeter yet are stilled cries—[He seizes her, they struggle.]
Second Girl. He is too strong—I can struggle no longer!
[They struggle. Life chokes her to death and flings her body from him. Then laughing horribly he goes off the stage.]
First Girl [enters skipping merrily. Singing].
Heigho, in April,
Heigho, heigho,
All the town in April
Is gay, is gay!
[She plucks rose from bush.]
Heigho, in April,
In merry, merry April,
Love came a-riding
And of a sunny day
I met him on the way!
Heigho, in April,
Heigho, heigho—
[Suddenly seeing the body, she breaks the song, and stares without moving. Then she goes very slowly toward it, smooths down the dead girl's dress, and kneels beside the body. Whispers.]