[Both advance to the bed, and stand one on each side of Ethel. Fairies repeat the waking charm:]
Wake, dear one, wake; unclose thy rested eyelids;
The night is gone, the beauteous morning breaks.
The angels know the day will bring you gladness,
So please accept the gifts that Heaven makes.
[Ethel stirs, the Fairies step lightly towards the door.]
Second Fairy. They say mortals do not believe in us.
First Fairy. Perhaps Ethel will when she sees the basket of good things which even now I hear the sprites leaving at the door. But let us hasten—the dawn will come.
[Exeunt Fairies. Ethel moves, sits up on the bed, looks around the room, rubs her eyes, and seems bewildered.]
Ethel. Are they all gone? How beautiful—fairies and sprites in my poor little room! (Smiles.) Only a dream, I suppose. But so real. What a funny old Genius of Thanksgiving it was! [Laughs aloud.]
Enter Elise with a note.
Elise. Oh, sister, I heard you laugh, so I knew you were awake; otherwise I would not have disturbed you, for you, poor thing, were so tired last night. But, Ethel, a most wonderful thing has happened. So wonderful, it seems like a dream.
Ethel. The night abounds in dreams. I have had one. I must tell it, if I can.