THE FAIRY No, it is more proper that this visit should be confined to the family.... I will wait near here, so as not to appear indiscreet.... They did not invite me....
THE FAIRY Over there.... You are on the threshold of the Land of Memory.... As soon as you have turned the diamond, you will see a big tree with a board on it, which will show you that you are there.... But don't forget that you are to be back, both of you, by a quarter to nine.... It is extremely important.... Now mind and be punctual, for all would be lost if you were late.... Good-bye for the present!... (_Calling the_ CAT, _the_ DOG, LIGHT, _etc_.) This way.... And the little ones that way....
(_She goes out to the right, with_ LIGHT, _the_ ANIMALS, _etc., while the_ CHILDREN _go out to the left_.)
_A thick fog, from which stands out, on the right, close to the footlights, the trunk of a large oak, with a board nailed to it. A vague, milky, impenetrable light prevails_. TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL _are at the foot of the oak_.
TYLTYL I can't read it.... Wait, I will climb up on this root.... That's it.... It says, "Land of Memory."
MYTYL Well, where are grandad and granny?...
TYLTYL Behind the fog.... We shall see....
MYTYL I can see nothing at all!... I can't see my feet or my hands.... (_Whimpering_) I'm cold!... I don't want to travel any more.... I want to go home....
TYLTYL Come, don't keep on crying, just like Water.... You ought to be ashamed of yourself.... A great big little girl like you.... Look, the fog is lifting already.... We shall see what's behind it....
(_The mist begins to move; It grows thinner and lighter, disperses, evaporates. Soon, in a more and more transparent light, appears, under a leafy vault, a cheerful little peasant's cottage, covered with creepers. The door and windows are open. There are bee-hives under a shed, flower-pots on the window-sills, a cage with a sleeping blackbird. Beside the door is a bench, on which an old peasant and his wife_, TYLTYL'S _grandfather and grandmother, are seated, both sound asleep_.)
TYLTYL (_suddenly recognising them_) It's grandad and granny!...
MYTYL (_clapping her hands_) Yes! Yes!... So it is! So it is!...
TYLTYL (_still a little distrustful_) Take care!... We don't know yet if they can stir.... Let's keep behind the tree....