One night up in the wood, when silver flakes Were dancing with the fairies on the moss, An owl whooped. The fairies scampered off Into the ferns. The little water elf I found up close against a gnarled oak trunk, Hid in a moss-pink in a drop of dew. Oh, she was tiny as a fairykin! Her hair was scattered, she was frightened so. You should have seen her how she looked at me, As if to say: "You here!" I nod, and then We laugh together, thinking of the trick The surly owl played. (_Again she circles round in a dance._) OSWALD--(_With horror._) This is enchantment! This is the cursed spells of forest devils, Witchcraft and Barrabam, the broth of Hell And the wild mountain and the swirling sea! (_Advancing toward her, he reaches into his bosom and fetches forth a large silver crucifix fastened to a black string that encircles his neck._) Selma, touch this, touch this and say with me: "_Pater noster_--" come--"_qui es in coelis_--" SELMA-- (_Still dancing._) I don't know what it means. OSWALD-- "_Pater_--". Repeat. SELMA--I say I do not know-- OSWALD-- It does not matter. SELMA--Then tell me what it means. OSWALD-- You must not ask. You show more faith not knowing. "_Pater_--" Come. "_Pater noster_--" (_Reaching toward her._) Will you? SELMA--(_Snatching up her basket._) What does it mean? OSWALD-- (_Bowing his head._) I do not know. SELMA-- You are just teasing me. OSWALD--Selma, listen to me. If our dear Lord, Who died upon the tree that we might live, Had meant that we should know what this thing means, He would have told us. Let us show our faith. Oh, let us say it as He taught us. Come, Repeat it with me. "_Pater_--" (_Advancing toward her._) Will you say it? SELMA--(_Skipping up the slope and disappearing through_ _the boughs._) I will not till you tell me what it means. (_Oswald stands as one who knows not what to do. Along the path leading in from the left, Father Paul, the friar, enters. For a time he stands contemplating the scene before him._) FATHER PAUL--My son. Come now. Come now. The Lord Christ calls. Delay is death. Give up this heathen world. You cannot save her here. But there, who knows? Prayer can do much. Go now and get the cross. I shall wait for you in the grotto here. (_They go out, right._)