of your child’s heart, until you stand before the world like Frederik; no sweat and toil such as dear old James is facing; no dimming of the eye and trembling of the hand such as the poor old Doctor shall know in time to come; no hot tears to blister your eyes, ... tears such as Katie is shedding now; but, in all your youth, your faith—­your innocence,—­you’ll fall asleep and oh! the awakening, William!...  “It is well with the child.” [WILLIAM lays down the cake and, clasping his hands, thinks. PETER answers his thoughts.] What?  No—­don’t think of it!  Nonsense!  You don’t want to grow up to be a man.  Grow up to fail?  Or, still worse—­to succeed—­to be famous?  To wear a heavy laurel wreath?  A wreath to be held up by tired hands that ache for one hour’s freedom.  No, no, you’re to escape all that, William; joy is on the way to meet you with sweets in its outstretched hands and laughter on its lips. [WILLIAM takes the last swallow of a piece of cake, exclaims “Hm!” in a satisfied way, brushes the crumbs off his lap, and sits back in his chair.] Have you had enough?  Good!  William, I want you to try to understand that you’re to help me, will you?  Will you tell Miss Catherine that—­

WILLIAM. [Without looking up, his hands folded in his lap.] Take me back with you, Mr. Grimm?

PETER.  Can you see me, William?

WILLIAM.  No, sir; but I know.

PETER.  Come here. [WILLIAM doesn’t move.] Here ... here ... [WILLIAM advances to the center of the room and pauses hesitatingly.] Take my hand ... [WILLIAM approaches in the direction of the voice. PETER takes WILLIAM’S outstretched hand.] Have you got it?

WILLIAM.  No, sir....

PETER. [Putting his hand on WILLIAM’S head.] Now?...  Do you feel it?

WILLIAM.  I feel something, yes, sir. [Puts his hand on PETER’S hand, which is still on his head.] But where’s your hand?  There’s nothing there.

PETER.  But you hear me?

WILLIAM.  I can’t really hear you....  It’s a dream. [Coaxingly.] Oh, Mr.
Grimm, take me back with you.

PETER.  You’re not quite ready to go with me yet, William—­not until we can see each other face to face.

WILLIAM.  Why did you come back, Mr. Grimm?  Wasn’t it nice where you were?

PETER.  It was indeed.  It was like—­[Whimsically.]—­new toys.

WILLIAM. [To whom the idea appeals.] As nice as that!

PETER.  Nicer.  But I had to come back with this message.  I want you to help me to deliver it. [Indicating the picture.

WILLIAM.  Where’s the bosom of Abraham, Mr. Grimm?

PETER.  Eh?

WILLIAM.  The minister says you’re asleep there.

PETER.  Stuff and nonsense!  I haven’t been near the bosom of Abraham.

WILLIAM.  Too bad you died before you went to the circus, Mr. Grimm.  But it must be great to be in a place where you can look down and see the circus for nothing.  Do you remember the clown that sang:  “Uncle Rat has gone to town?”