BREAD My great age, my experience and my devotion make me the natural protector of these two children; therefore, Mrs. Night, permit me to ask you a question.... NIGHT Certainly.... BREAD In case of danger, which is the way of escape?... NIGHT There is no way of escape. TYLTYL (_taking the key and climbing the first steps_) Let us begin here.... What is behind this bronze door?... NIGHT I think it is the Ghosts.... It is long since I opened the door and since they came out.... TYLTYL (_placing the key in the lock_) I will see.... (_To_ BREAD) Have you the cage for the Blue Bird?... BREAD (_with chattering teeth_) I'm not frightened, but don't you think it would be better not to open the door, but to peep through the keyhole?... TYLTYL I don't want your advice.... MYTYL (_suddenly beginning to cry_) I am frightened!... Where is Sugar?... I want to go home!... SUGAR (_eagerly, obsequiously_) Here I am, miss, here I am.... Don't cry, I will break off one of my fingers so that you may have a sugar-stick.... TYLTYL Enough of this!... (_He turns the key and cautiously opens the door. Forthwith, five or six_ GHOSTS _of strange and different forms escape and disperse on every side_. MYTYL _gives a scream of fright_, BREAD, _terrified, throws away the cage and goes and hides at the back of the hall, while_ NIGHT, _running after the_ GHOSTS, _cries out to_ TYLTYL.) NIGHT Quick! Quick!... Shut the door!... They will all escape and we should never be able to catch them again!... They have felt bored in there, ever since Man ceased to take them seriously.... (_She runs after the_ GHOSTS _and endeavours, with the aid of a whip formed of snakes, to drive them back to the door of their prison_.) Help me!... Here!... Here!... TYLTYL (_to the_ DOG) Help her, Tylô, at them!... THE DOG (_leaping up and barking_) Yes, yes, yes!... TYLTYL And Bread, where's Bread?... BREAD (_at the back of the hall_) Here.... I am near the door to prevent them from going out.... (_One of the_ GHOSTS _moves in that direction and he rushes away at full speed, uttering yells of terror_.) NIGHT (_to three_ GHOSTS _whom she has seized by the neck_) This way, you!... (_To_ TYLTYL) Open the door a little.... (_She pushes the_ GHOSTS _into the cave_.) There, that's it.... (_The_ DOG _brings up two more_.) And these two.... Come, quick, in with you!... You know you're only allowed out on All-hallows.... (_She closes the door._) TYLTYL (_going to another door_) What's behind this one?.... NIGHT What is the good?...I have already told you the Blue Bird has never been here.... However, as you please.... Open the doors if you like.... It's the Sicknesses.... TYLTYL (_with the key in the lock_.) Must I be careful in opening?...