WILLIAM. [Rushes in with two tickets in his hand, leaving the door open. 
The circus music is faintly heard.] Mr. Grimm!

DR. MACPHERSON.  Sh! [A pause as though breaking the news to them all.]
He’s gone.

FREDERIK. [Questioningly—­dazed.] Dead? [CATHERINE is overcome.

WILLIAM. [At PETER’S side—­holding up the circus ticket.] He can’t be dead ...  I’ve got his ticket to the circus.

CURTAIN.

ACT II.

SCENE. The second act takes place ten days later, towards the close of a rainy afternoon.  A fire is burning in the grate and a basket of hickory wood stands beside the hearth. PETER’S hat is no longer on the peg.  His pipes and jar of tobacco are missing.  A number of wedding presents are set on a table, some unopened.  The interior of the room, with its snapping fire, forms a pleasant contrast to the gloomy exterior.  The day is fading into dusk. MRS. BATHOLOMMEY is at the piano, playing the wedding march from “Lohengrin.”  Four little girls are grouped about her, singing the words to the air.

"Faithful and true:  We lead ye forth, Where love triumphant Shall lighten the way."

"Bright star of love, Flower of the earth, Shine on ye both On Love’s perfect day."

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY.  That’s better.  Children, remember that this is to be a very quiet wedding.  You’re to be here at noon to-morrow.  You’re not to speak as you enter the room and take your places near the piano.  Miss Staats will come down from her room,—­at least I suppose she will—­and will stand ... [Thinks.] I don’t know where—­but you’re to stop when I look at you.  Watch me as though I were about to be married. [She takes her place at the foot of the stairs and the children repeat the song until she has marched across the room and stationed herself in some appropriate corner.  As FREDERIK appears from the hall, where he leaves his raincoat and umbrella, MRS. BATHOLOMMEY motions the children to silence.] That will do, dears, thank you.  Hurry home between showers. [The children go as she explains to FREDERIK.] My Sunday-school scholars....  I thought your dear uncle would like a song at the wedding.  I know how bright and cheery he would have been—­poor man.  Dear, noble, charitable soul!

FREDERIK. [In a low voice.] Where’s Catherine?

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Taking up her fancy work, seating herself.] Upstairs.

FREDERIK.  With that sick child?  Tc!

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY.  Catherine finds it a pleasure to sit beside the little fellow.  William is very much better.

FREDERIK. [Taking a telegram from his pocket-book.] Well, we shall soon be off to Europe.  I’ve just had a telegram to say a cabin has been reserved for me on the Imperator.  To-morrow, thank God, we shall take the afternoon train to New York.