She’ll use that to-night when she warms Kittikins’ milk. A great idea! Oh, she’ll be surprised! And I’ll just pretend I know nothing about it! I’ll be reading in my book--or writing--making faces at my paper--and I’ll see her out of the corner of my eye-- Hi, hi-- Pierrette, hot!-- Peep behind The pewter pot! She’ll take the pot away. She’ll find the package! She’ll open it! Then she’ll just go all red and white--I can see her in my mind’s eye--and she’ll run over to me-- (_He sees the paper on the table; reads it._) PIERROT Pierrette! (_He runs to the door of the inner room_) Pierrette! (_He runs to the street door_) Pierrette! (_Then he runs back for his hat; but just as he makes to follow her, the meaning of it comes over him. He drops his hat. He goes slowly to the table, dropping into his chair_) It’s right. It’s what ought to be. She was a wisp of sunlight--a night of stars--she was birds singing and summer winds. She was Pierrette!--(_With a sob_) And I drove her away! (_He sinks into the chair, his head on his arms. There is a pause. The door opens softly. Pierrette peeps in. Seeing Pierrot all crumpled up, she tiptoes toward him a few steps, stretching out her arms yearningly. But she controls herself, tiptoes a few steps towards the crib, blows a kiss to the baby and turns to go out again. Pierrot lifts his head suddenly, sees her and jumps up. Pierrette tries to escape him._) PIERROT (_catching her in his arms_) Pierrette! PIERRETTE Oh, Pierrot, I just came back for the littlest look. I couldn’t help it. I’ll go now. PIERROT But Pierrette, look! _(He dances about)_ It’s all come back again! I’ve got a new song singing in me, Pierrette! It’s the best song yet. It’ll make me famous! The editors will flock to me, Exactly as you said-- A-bringing gold and velvets And a-swelling of my head! (_He tries to take her cloak off._) PIERROT (_coaxingly_) Pierrette, please stay! PIERRETTE No, no--it was _because_ I went away, don’t you see? That’s how you found your song. You’re right, Pierrot--wives _ought_ to go away. PIERROT But they ought to come back again, too, Pierrette! PIERRETTE Only for a tiny look, Pierrot. They’d like--oh yes, they’d like to stay. But if they’re wise--ah no--Good-bye! (_She starts to go. Pierrot runs after her._) PIERROT Pierrette--if you _must_ go--wait--(_mysteriously_)--there’s something here for you. PIERRETTE Something for me? PIERROT Something for you. PIERRETTE Where is it? PIERROT (_teasingly_) Perhaps it’s on the ceiling, Perhaps it’s on the floor; Perhaps it’s gone to visit the moon, And won’t be back till four! PIERRETTE Oh, Pierrot, don’t tease! Where is it? PIERROT (_more teasingly_) Guess! PIERRETTE Is it--is it--behind the screen? PIERROT Guess again. PIERRETTE Is it--is it--under the clock? PIERROT Guess again. PIERRETTE Is it--is it--under your hat? PIERROT Guess again. PIERRETTE