LIGHT (_threatening them with her wand_) That will do, do you hear?... You are all very quarrelsome; It is the coming separation that sets your nerves on edge like this.... BREAD (_with great dignity_) That does not apply to me.... I was saying, you will no longer hear me speak, no longer see me in my living form.... Your eyes are about to close to the invisible life of the Things; but I shall always be there. In the bread-pan, on the shelf, on the table, beside the soup, I who am, if I may say so, with Water and Fire, the most faithful companion, the oldest friend of Man.... FIRE Well, and what about me?... LIGHT Come, the minutes are passing, the hour is at hand which will send us back into silence.... Be quick and kiss the children.... FIRE (_rushing forward_) I first! I first!... (_Violently kissing the_ CHILDREN.) Good-bye, Tyltyl and Mytyl!... Good-bye, my darlings.... Think of me if ever you want any one to set fire to anything.... MYTYL Oh! Oh!... He's burning me!... TYLTYL Oh! Oh!... He's scorched my nose!... LIGHT Come, Fire, moderate your transports.... Remember you're not in your chimney.... WATER What an idiot!... BREAD What a vulgarian!... FIRE There, look; I will put my hands in my pockets.... But don't forget me.... I am the friend of Man.... I shall always be there, in the hearth and in the oven; and I will come sometimes and put out my tongue for you when you are cold or sad.... I shall be warm in winter and roast chestnuts for you.... WATER (_approaching the_ CHILDREN) I shall kiss you without hurting you, tenderly, my children.... FIRE Take care, you'll get wet!... WATER I am loving and gentle; I am kind to human beings.... FIRE What about those you drown?... WATER Love the wells, listen to the brooks.... I shall always be there.... FIRE She has flooded the whole place.... WATER When you sit down, in the evening, beside the springs--there is more than one here in the forest--try to understand what they are trying to say.... FIRE Enough! Enough!... I can't swim!... WATER I shall no longer be able to tell you as clearly as I do to-day that I love you; but you will not forget that that is what I am saying to you when you hear my voice.... Alas!... I can say no more.... My tears choke me and prevent my speaking.... FIRE It doesn't sound like it!... WATER Think of me when you see the water-bottle.... Alas! I have to be silent there; but my thoughts will always be of you.... You will find me also in the ewer, the watering-can, the cistern and the tap.... MILK (_approaching timidly_) And me in the milk-jug.... TYLTYL What, you too, my dear Milk, so shy and so good?... Is everybody going?... SUGAR (_naturally mawkish and sanctimonious_) If you have a little corner left in your memory, remember sometimes that my presence was sweet to you.... That is all I have to say.... Tears are not in harmony with my temperament and they hurt me terribly when they fall on my feet.... BREAD Jesuit!...