CLOWN’S VOICE. 
  “Uncle Rat has gone to town,
  Ha!  H’m! 
  Uncle Rat has gone to town
  To buy his niece”—­

His voice ends abruptly—­the music stops.  Everything is over.  There is silence.  Then three clear knocks sound on the door.

PETER.  Come in.... [The door opens.  No one is there—­but a faint path of phosphorous light is seen.] Oh, friends!  Troops of you! [As though he recognizes the unseen guests.] I’ve been gone so long that you came for me, eh?  I’m quite ready to go back.  I’m just waiting for a happy little fellow who’s going back with us....  We’ll follow.  Do you all go ahead—­ lead the way. [He looks at WILLIAM, holds out his arms, and WILLIAM jumps up and runs into them.] Well, William!  You know better now.  Come! [Picking up WILLIAM.] Happy, eh? [WILLIAM nods, his face beaming.

WILLIAM.  Oh, yes!

PETER.  Let’s be off, then. [As they turn towards the door.

DR. MACPHERSON. [Re-entering, goes to the couch with the water, and suddenly, setting down the glass, exclaims in a hushed voice:] My God!  He’s dead! [He half raises up a boy that appears to be WILLIAM. The light from the lamp on the table falls on the dead face of the child.  Then the DOCTOR gently lays the boy down again on the couch, and sits pondering over the mystery of death.

PETER. [To the DOCTOR.] Oh, no!  There never was so fair a prospect for life!

WILLIAM. [In PETER’S arms.] I am happy!

Outside a hazy moonlight shimmers.  A few stars twinkle in the far-away sky; and the low moon is seen back of the old windmill.

PETER. [To WILLIAM.] If the rest of them only knew what they’re missing, eh?

WILLIAM. [Begins to sing, joyously.]
  “Uncle Rat has gone to town.”

PETER dances up a few steps towards the door, singing with WILLIAM.

PETER and WILLIAM. 
  “Ha!  H’m! 
  Uncle Rat has gone to town
  To buy his niece a wedding gown. 
  Ha!  H’m!”

PETER. [Gives one last fond look towards CATHERINE’S room.  To
WILLIAM.] We’re off! [Putting the boy over his shoulder, they sing
together, as they go up, the phantom circus music accompanying them.]
  “What shall the wedding breakfast be? 
  Ha!  H’m!”

PETER. [Alone.]
  “What shall the wedding breakfast be? 
  Hard boiled eggs and a cup of tea.”

WILLIAM and PETER.  “Ha!  H’m!”

PETER GRIMM has danced off with the child through the faint path of light.  As he goes, the wind or an unseen hand closes the door after them.  There is a moment’s pause until their voices are no longer heard—­then the curtain slowly descends.  The air of the song is taken up by an unseen orchestra and continues as the audience passes out.