 Billy 's defiant spirit ( " The Highest Judge of All " ) is taken Up There to see the Starkeeper , a heavenly official . The Starkeeper tells Billy that the good he did in life was not enough to get into heaven , but so long as there is a person alive who remembers him , he can return for a day to try to do good to redeem himself . He informs Billy that fifteen years have passed on Earth since the former barker 's suicide , and suggests that Billy can get himself into heaven if he helps his daughter , Louise . He helps Billy look down from heaven to see her ( instrumental ballet : " Billy Makes a Journey " ) . Louise has grown up to be lonely and bitter . The local children ostracize her because her father was a thief and a wife @-@ beater . In the dance , a young ruffian , much like her father at that age , flirts with her and abandons her as too young . The dance concludes , and Billy is anxious to return to Earth and help his daughter . He steals a star to take with him , as the Starkeeper pretends not to notice . 
