(_Under_ THE CHILD'S _kisses and caresses_, THE STATUE _has gradually taken life: the eyes open, the lips flutter, the face begins to colour, the body loses its terrible stiffness, the arms become supple and circle round the_ THE CHILD'S _neck_.) THE SMALLEST OF THEM ALL (_Nestling against her_.) You're better, aren't you?... Not sleepy any more?... How good it is, being together!... They're still looking for you, you know.... And it's I who found you!... I knew, I knew.... THE PHANTOM So did I, so did I.... I was waiting.... THE SMALLEST OF THEM ALL It's splendid, isn't it?... (_Nestling more closely_.) Oh, such fun!... Do you like it too? THE PHANTOM Yes.... Yes, I am happy. THE SMALLEST OF THEM ALL Why aren't you laughing? THE PHANTOM Because I am too happy. THE SMALLEST OF THEM ALL So am I, so am I!... Don't look: I'm going to cry a little, but it doesn't mean anything.... THE PHANTOM (_Beginning to return his kisses and caresses_.) I'm going to cry too. THE SMALLEST OF THEM ALL (_Intoxicated with rapture_.) You're kissing me!... Mummy!... Then it's true, then it's true, it is you!... Again, again!... No, not any more: I can't bear it!... Will they understand, will they be able to understand? THE PHANTOM Call them, it is time. THE SMALLEST OF THEM ALL Don't cover your face: they wouldn't see it and they wouldn't believe me.... (_Drawing aside the veils_.) Oh, mummy, how lovely you are!... (_Her hair spreads all over her shoulders_.) Oh, mummy, your hair!... What lots of it!... There, that's much better, I can kiss you better so.... (_Listening_.) Listen, they're coming back! They're here! (THE FIVE LITTLE ONES _come rushing headlong into the hall_.) THE FIVE LITTLE ONES Where is she?... Where is she?... Where is she?... THE SMALLEST OF THEM ALL (_Standing up on the bench, beside his_ MOTHER, _showing her to the others and dancing with delight_.) Here! Here!... She's here, she's here!... I found her!... (THE MOTHER _tries to rise and take them in her arms, but they do not give her time. They fling themselves upon her, load her with kisses and caresses, make her sit down again and clamber on her knees, swarming and scrambling over her and all speaking together_.) THE FIVE LITTLE ONES