RAFE. Because 'tis such a holy, holy night.
GILLIAN. Oh, but there be wonderful things that do befall on Christmas Eve, Master Rafe. My old grandam used to say that when the midnight bells ring, the cattle in the stables do kneel down to hail the holy day!
RAFE. Hast ever seen them, Gillian? Or hath thy grandam?
ALLISON. All the cows, and the sheep, and the little, little lambs?
GILLIAN. Nay, sweetheart, I never saw them, but I was wont to think, each Christmas Eve, that I would surely creep out to the stables and keep watch.
GILLIAN. Oh, Master Rafe, in truth 'twas a pretty plan,--but I was not a very brave little wench,--and it was so cold and dark and fearsome: when the time was come, I was always fain to put it off until the next year!
RAFE [_scornfully_]. Sooth! I would never do that!
GILLIAN. Nay, that I'll warrant, Master Rafe! But let me tell thee what else my grandam hath told me. 'Twas about the portraits in the long gallery in this very house.
[_Enter_ DICCON, _with armful of wood for fire, which he piles upon the hearth._
CICELY. The portraits---- Oh, yes, Gillian. [_Draws close to_ GILLIAN.]
RAFE. I know. Our great-great-grandfather and our great-great-grandmother.
CICELY. Bethink thee, Rafe--what are their names? I do forget.
RAFE. They are Sir Philip and Lady Geraldine Underhill. And they lived right here in this very house.
DICCON [_turning from hearth_]. Yes, Master Rafe, they lived in this house. He was a passing gallant gentleman, and fought for the King, and she was as beautiful as he was brave, and as brave as she was beautiful. And they say that in a great war his enemies came to search this house for him, but he and my lady hid themselves in a secret chamber that's long since forgot. But 'tis somewhere in the house,---- [_looks about as if expecting to find door at once_] if a body just but knew how to find the door----
GILLIAN [_in contempt_]. Nay, nay, Diccon. I'll warrant me the Master knoweth where that door is.
DICCON. Mayhap Sir Gilbert doth know. But none else may find it. Many's the time the lads ha' looked for it--many's the time. [_Exit._]
[RAFE _goes about for a moment, lifting hangings, etc., as if in search for door, but returns to_ GILLIAN'S _side to hear her answer to_ CICELY.