. Bridget,
Bridget, send my children to me.

BRIDGET [_inside_]. Your father wants you; run to him now.

[_The two_ CHILDREN _come in. They stand together a little
way from the threshold of the kitchen door, looking timidly
at their father._]

WISE M. Children, what do you believe? Is there a Heaven? Is there a
Hell? Is there a Purgatory?

FIRST CHILD. We haven't forgotten, father.

THE OTHER CHILD. Oh, no, father. [_They both speak together, as if in
school._] There is nothing we cannot see; there is nothing we cannot
touch.

FIRST CHILD. Foolish people used to think that there was, but you are
very learned and you have taught us better.

WISE M. You are just as bad as the others, just as bad as the others!
Do not run away; come back to me. [_The_ CHILDREN _begin to cry and run
away._] Why are you afraid? I will teach you better--no, I will never
teach you again. Go to your mother! no, she will not be able to teach
them.... Help them, O God!... The grains are going very quickly. There
is very little sand in the uppermost glass. Somebody will come for me
in a moment; perhaps he is at the door now! All creatures that have
reason doubt. O that the grass and the plants could speak! Somebody has
said that they would wither if they doubted. O speak to me, O grass
blades! O fingers of God's certainty, speak to me! You are millions and
you will not speak. I dare not know the moment the messenger will come
for me. I will cover the glass. [_He covers it and brings it to the
desk. Sees the_ FOOL, _who is sitting by the door playing with some
flowers which he has stuck in his hat. He has begun to blow a dandelion
head._] What are you doing?

FOOL. Wait a moment. [_He blows._] Four, five, six.

WISE M. What are you doing that for?

FOOL. I am blowing at the dandelion to find out what time it is.

WISE M. You have heard everything! That is why you want to find out
what hour it is! You are waiting to see them coming through the door to
carry me away. [FOOL _goes on blowing._] Out through the door with you!
I will have no one here when they come. [_He seizes the_ FOOL _by the
shoulders, and begins to force him out through the door, then suddenly
changes his mind._] No, I have something to ask you. [_He drags him
back into the room._] Is there a Heaven? Is there a Hell? Is there a
Purgatory?

FOOL. So you ask me now. When you were asking your pupils, I said to
myself, if he would ask Teigue