he light in the faces
of the little children? That is the earth-life's sun--that is
_happiness_--which is something you do not know, poor child! But you
shall know it. You want to, do you not?

PEHR. Who is the good fairy that walks about and gives the children the
golden fruits?

FAIRY. That is the mother.

PEHR. Mother?--I don't understand.

FAIRY. You, too, had a mother, but she died when you were very young.

PEHR. And the old man in the corner, with the mild look in his eyes?

FAIRY. He is the father, who in memory is living over his childhood.

PEHR. The father! But he looks so pleasant.

FAIRY. Yes, for he loves some one besides himself.

PEHR. And the youth who puts his arm around the young girl's
waist--[Eagerly.] Now he presses his face against hers--their lips
meet--what does that mean? Does one speak like that in life?

FAIRY. That is love's way of speaking.

PEHR. Love! Then it must be glorious to see it all!

FAIRY. Wait! Now look up there, in the gable window--a single candle
burns, a poor, wretched light. [Tableau.]

PEHR. Poverty! That I know. Show me something pretty!

FAIRY. [Regarding him.] You are pleasure loving. Very well!--Look again
up there, around the same Christmas light--it shines dimly but warmly on
the contented table of poverty.

PEHR. No! I want to see something beautiful.

FAIRY. Really! Is there anything more beautiful than--but, wait! you
shall see--Now look over yonder--toward the castle, where the King
lives. [Tableau.]

PEHR. Oh!

FAIRY. Do you see the beautiful robes, the glittering jewels? Do you
see how the walls reflect the brilliant lights and how in the middle of
winter real roses and blue lilies are in bloom?

PEHR. Oh!

FAIRY. And the young girls, with the flowing locks, who serve wine in
silver goblets--

PEHR. _There_ I want to be!

FAIRY. And now stewards, in white, carry on the dishes.

PEHR. Oh!

FAIRY. The heralds rap on the floor with their staves--the trumpets
sound--[Three strokes of a bell are heard; the tower chamber takes on
its former appearance.] Alas! the time is up. Pehr, do you wish to go
out and taste of life?

PEHR. Yes, yes!

FAIRY. Good and bad?

PEHR. Bad? That I think I know; the good I would learn to know.

FAIRY. You think so? But you shall soon see that all which seems good is
not good, and all that seems bad is not bad.

PEHR. Only let me get out--and away from here!

FAIRY. You may go; but first I want to