PETER.  Yes, indeed; but let us talk of something more important.  Come here, William [He starts towards the desk.]; would you like to see someone whom all little boys love—­love more than anybody else in the whole world? [PETER is standing at the desk with his finger on the torn pieces of the picture.

WILLIAM.  Yes, the clown in the circus....  No ... it isn’t a clown; ... it’s our mother....  Yes, I want to see my mother, Annamarie. [Unconsciously WILLIAM comes to the desk and sees the torn picture—­ picks up a piece and looks at it.  Very simply.] Why ... there she is!...  That’s her face.

PETER.  Ah!  You recognize her.  Mother’s face is there, William, but it’s in little bits.  We must put her together, William.  We must show her to everybody in the house, so that everybody will say:  “How in the world did she ever get here?  To whom does this picture belong?” We must set them to thinking.

WILLIAM.  Yes.  Let us show her to everybody. [He sits and joins the pieces under the guidance of PETER.] Annamarie ...  Annamarie ...

PETER.  You remember many things, William ... things that happened when you lived with Annamarie, don’t you?

WILLIAM.  I was very little....

PETER.  Still, you remember....

WILLIAM. [Evasively.] I was afraid....

PETER.  You loved her.

WILLIAM. [To picture.] Oh, yes ... yes, I loved you.

PETER.  Now, through that miracle of love, you can remember many things tucked away in your childish brain,—­things laid away in your mind like toys upon a shelf.  Come, pick them up and dust them off and bring them out again.  It will come back.  When you lived with Annamarie ... there was you ... and Annamarie ... and—­

WILLIAM. —­and the other one.

PETER.  Ah!  We’re getting nearer!  Who was the other one?

WILLIAM. [Gives a quick glance towards the door—­then as though speaking to the picture.] I must put you together before he comes back. [He fits the other pieces together—­PETER trying to guide him.  Presently WILLIAM hums as a child will when at play, singing the tune of “Uncle Rat."] “Uncle Rat has gone to town.”

PETER and WILLIAM. [Singing together.] “Ha!  H’m!” [At this instant,
PETER is indicating another piece of the picture.

WILLIAM.  Her other foot. [Then sings.]

  “Uncle Rat has gone to town,
  To buy his niece a wedding gown.”

[Adjusting a piece of the picture.] Her hand.

WILLIAM and PETER. [Singing.] “Ha!  H’m!”

WILLIAM.  Her other hand. [Sings.]
  “What shall the wedding breakfast be? 
  Hard boiled eggs and—­”
[Speaking.] Where’s—­[WILLIAM pauses—­looking for a piece of the
picture.

PETER. [Finishing the verse.] “A cup of tea.” [With a gesture as though knocking on the door of the adjoining room to attract MRS. BATHOLOMMEY’S attention.