CATHERINE.  I wonder, James, if he can see us now.

JAMES.  That’s the big mystery!...  Who can tell?  But any man who works with flowers and things that grow—­knows there is no such thing as death—­ there’s nothing but life—­life and always life.  I’ll be back in the morning....  Won’t you ... see me to the door?

CATHERINE.  Yes ... yes.... [They go up together, CATHERINE carrying a candle into the dark vestibule.  The moment they disappear, a lamp standing on the piano goes out as though the draught from the door or an unseen hand had extinguished it.  It is now quite dark outside, and the moon is hidden for a moment.  At the same time, a light, seemingly coming from nowhere, reveals PETER GRIMM standing in the room at the door—­as though he had been there when the young people passed out.  He is smiling and happy.  The moon is not seen, but the light of it (as though it had come out from behind a cloud) now reveals the old windmill.  From outside the door the voices of JAMES and CATHERINE are heard as they both say:] Good-night.

JAMES.  Catherine, ...  I won’t go without it....

PETER. [Knowing that JAMES, is demanding a kiss.] Aha! [Rubs his hands in satisfaction—­then listens—­and after a second pause exclaims, with an upraised finger, as though he were hearing the kiss.] Ah!  Now I can go.... [He walks to the peg on which his hat hangs, and takes it down.  His work is done. CATHERINE re-enters, darting into the hall in girlish confusion.

JAMES’ HAPPY VOICE. [Outside.] Good-night!

CATHERINE. [Calling to him through the crack in the door.] Good-night! [She closes the door, turns the key and draws the heavy bolt—­then leans against the door, candle-stick in hand—­the wind has blown out the candle.] Oh, I’m so happy!  I’m so happy!

PETER.  Then good-night to you, my darling:  love cannot say good-bye. [She goes to PETER’S chair, and, sitting, thinks it all over—­her hands clasped in her lap—­her face radiant with happiness.] Here in your childhood’s home I leave you.  Here in the years to come, the way lies clear before you. [His arm upraised.] “Lust in Rust”—­Pleasure and Peace go with you. [CATHERINE looks towards the door—­remembering JAMES’ kiss—­half smiling.] [Humorously.] Y—­es; I saw you.  I heard ...  I know....  Here on some sunny, blossoming day when, as a wife, you look out upon my gardens—­every flower and tree and shrub shall bloom enchanted to your eyes....  All that happens—­happens again.  And if, at first, a little knock of poverty taps at the door, and James finds the road hard and steep—­what is money?—­a thing,—­a good thing to have,—­but still a thing ... and happiness will come without it.  And when, as a mother, you shall see my plantings with new eyes, my Catherine,—­when you explain each leaf and bud to your little people—­you