Louise
Mother! [Looks dazedly at Liliom, who bows his head dismayed, forlorn. Julie rises and looks at Liliom in astonishment. There is a long pause.]
Julie
[Comes over to them slowly.] What's the matter here?
Louise
[Bewildered, does not take her eyes off Liliom.] 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 Julie. Liliom sulkily raises his head and looks at Julie.]
Julie
[Softly.] Go, my child. Go into the house. Go.
Louise
[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.]
Julie
Go in, my child, go in. [Louise goes slowly into the house. Julie watches her until she has disappeared, then turns slowly to Liliom.]
