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Mother! [''Looks dazedly at, who bows his head dismayed, forlorn. rises and looks at in astonishment. There is a long pause.'']

[Comes over to them slowly.] What's the matter here?

[Bewildered, does not take her eyes off .] Mother—the man—he hit me—on the hand—hard—I heard the sound of it—but it didn't hurt—mother—it didn't hurt—it was like a caress—as if he had just touched my hand tenderly. [''She hides behind. sulkily raises his head and looks at .'']

[Softly.] Go, my child. Go into the house. Go.

[Going.] But mother—I'm afraid—it sounded so loud [Weepingly.] And it didn't hurt at all—just as if he'd—kissed my hand instead—mother! [She hides her face.]

Go in, my child, go in. ['' goes slowly into the house. watches her until she has disappeared, then turns slowly to .'']