WILLIAM. [Speaks.] There’s her hat.

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

WILLIAM. [Stops singing and claps his hands with boyish delight—­staring at the picture.] Annamarie!  Annamarie!  You’re not in bits any more—­ you’re all put together.

By this time, PETER is going up the stairs, and, as he stands in front of CATHERINE’S door, it opens.  PETER passes in and CATHERINE comes out.

CATHERINE. [Astonished.] Why, William!  What are you doing here?

WILLIAM.  Miss Catherine!  Come down!  Come down!  I have something to show you.

CATHERINE. [Not coming down.] No, dear—­come upstairs; there’s a good boy.  You mustn’t play down there.  Come to bed. [Passes into WILLIAM’S room.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Who has entered, and sees WILLIAM..] William!

WILLIAM.  Look—­look! [Pointing to the picture.] See what old Mr. Grimm brought back with him.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Alarmed.] What are you talking about, William?  Old Mr. Grimm is dead.

WILLIAM.  No, he isn’t; ... he’s come back....  He has been in this room.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY.  Absurd!

WILLIAM.  I was talking to him.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY.  You’re feverish again.  I must get the Doctor. [Comes down to WILLIAM.] And I thought you were feeling better! [Seeing CATHERINE, who appears on the balcony as though wondering why WILLIAM doesn’t come to bed.] The child’s mind is wandering.  He imagines all sorts of things.  I’ll call the Doctor—­

PETER. [Who has re-entered.] You needn’t—­he’s coming now.  Come in,
Andrew.  I’m giving you one more chance.

The DOCTOR enters, wearing his skull-cap, and carrying his pipe in his hand.  It is evident that he has come over in a hurry.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Surprised.] I was just going for you.  How fortunate that you came.

DR. MACPHERSON.  I thought I’d have another peep at William.

By this time, CATHERINE has seated herself on a chair, and takes WILLIAM on her lap.  He puts his arms round her neck.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY.  He’s quite delirious.

DR. MACPHERSON.  Doesn’t look it. [Putting his hand on WILLIAM’S cheek and forehead.] Very slight fever.  What makes you think he was delirious? [Taking WILLIAM’S pulse.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Interrupting.] He said that old Mr. Grimm was in this room—­that he was talking to him.

DR. MACPHERSON. [Interested.] Yes?  Really?  Well, possibly he is.  Nothing remarkable in that, is there?

PETER.  Well, at last!

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY.  What?  Oh, of course, you believe in—­

DR. MACPHERSON.  In fact, I had a compact with him to return if—­