DR. MACPHERSON. [Re-appears, carrying WILLIAM, now wrapped up in an old-fashioned Dutch patchwork quilt.  The DOCTOR has a lamp in his free hand.] So you want to go downstairs, eh?  Very good!  How do you feel, laddie?

WILLIAM.  New all over.

DR. MACPHERSON. [Placing the lamp on the little table right, and laying WILLIAM on the couch.] Now I’ll get you the glass of cold water. [Goes into the dining-room, leaving the door open.

PETER. [Calling after the DOCTOR.] Good-night, Andrew.  I’m afraid the world will have to wait a little longer for the big guesser.  Drop in often.  I shall be glad to see you here.

WILLIAM. [Quickly rising on the couch, looks towards the peg on which PETER GRIMM’S hat hung.  Calling.] Mr. Grimm!  Where are you?  I knew that you were down here. [Seeing PETER.] Oh, [Raising himself to his knees on the sofa.] I see you now!

PETER.  Yes? [There is an impressive pause and silence as they face each other.

WILLIAM.  Oh, you’ve got your hat;... it’s off the peg....  You’re going.  Need you go right away—­Mr. Grimm?  Can’t you wait a little while?

PETER.  I’ll wait for you, William.

WILLIAM.  May I go with you?  Thank you.  I couldn’t find the way without you.

PETER.  Yes, you could.  It’s the surest way in this world.  But I’ll wait,—­ don’t worry.

WILLIAM.  I sha’n’t. [Coaxingly.] Don’t be in a hurry ...  I want—­[Lies down happily.] to take a nap first....  I’m sleepy. [He pulls the covering up and sleeps.

PETER.  I wish you the pleasantest dream a little boy can have in this world.

Instantly, as though the room were peopled with faint images of WILLIAM’S dream, the phantom circus music is heard, with its elfin horns; and, through the music, voices call “Hai!  Hai!” The sound of the cracking of a whip is heard, and the blare of a clown’s ten-cent tin horn.  The phantom voice of the CLOWN (very faint) calls:

CLOWN’S VOICE.  Billy Miller’s big show and monster circus is in town this afternoon!  Don’t forget the date!  Only one ring—­no confusion.  Circus day comes but once a year, little sir.  Come early and see the wild animals and hear the lion roar-r-r!  Mind, I shall expect you! Wonderful troupe of trained mice in the side-show.

During the above, the deeper voice of a “HAWKER”—­muffled and far off—­ cries:

HAWKER’S VOICE.  Peanuts, pop-corn, lemonade—­ice cold lemo—­lemo—­ lemonade!  Circus day comes but once a year.

Breaking in through the music, and the voices of the CLOWN and HAWKER, the gruff voice of a “BARKER” is heard calling.

BARKER’S VOICE.  Walk in and see the midgets and the giant!  Only ten cents—­one dime!

As these voices die away, the CLOWN, whose voice indicates that he is now perched on the head of the couch, sings: