Tyltyl. Yes, maam. Will you tell me where it is?
Night. I dont know, dear. All I can say is that it is not here.
Tyltyl. Yes, yes. Light told me that the Bird was here. And Light knows what she is saying. Will you hand me your keys?
Night. But you must understand, dear, that I cannot give my keys to a stranger. I keep all Natures secrets and I cant deliver them to anybody, especially to a child.
Tyltyl. You have no right to say no to Man. I know that.
Night. Who told you?
Tyltyl. Light.
Night. Light again! Always Light! How dare she interfere, how dare she?
The Dog. I can take the keys from her by force[22], my little god!
Tyltyl. Hold your tongue, keep quiet and try to behave. (To Night) Come, madam, give me your keys, please.
Night. Have you the sign, at least? Where is it?
Tyltyl. (touching his hat). Behold the Diamond!
Night. Well, then Here is the key that opens all the doors of the hall. But I will not be responsible.
Bread (very anxiously). Is it dangerous?
Night. Dangerous? I myself do not know what I will do when certain of those bronze doors open upon the abyss. In each of those basalt caves, are all the evils, all the plagues, all the sicknesses, all the terrors, all the catastrophes, all the mysteries of the world. I imprisoned them there with the aid of Destiny. If someone escapes and shows itself on earth
Bread. Mrs. Night, I am the protector of these two children; therefore, 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). Let us begin here. What is behind this bronze door?
Night. I think it is the Ghosts.
Tylty. I will see. (To Bread) Have you the cage for the Blue Bird?
Bread (with chattering teeth). Im not frightened, but its better not to open the door. Its better to peep through the keyhole!
Tyltyl. I dont want your advice.
Mytyl (beginning to cry). I am frightened! Where is Sugar? I want to go home!
Sugar (eagerly, obsequiously). Here I am, miss, here I am. Dont cry, I will break off one of my Fingers. You will 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 screams. Bread, terrified, throws away the cage and goes and hides at the back of the hall. Night, running after the ghosts, cries out to Tyltyl.
Night. Quick! Quick! Shut the door! They will all escape and we will never catch them again! They feel bored in there. Man ceased to take them seriously. (She runs after the ghosts with a whip formed of snakes. She tries to drive them back to the door of their prison). Help me! Here! Here!
Tyltyl (to the Dog). Help her, Tylo!
The Dog (leaping up and barking). Bow-wow-wow!
Tyltyl. And Bread, wheres Bread?
Bread (at the back of the hall). Here. I am near the door.
One of the ghosts moves in that direction and he rushes away. He utters yells of terror.
Night