"Never," said Susan Hacker calmly. "Not that I'd mind; but whatever would my master say?"
"Let my sister play the part," suggested Thomas. "Eliza Gollop fears nought on two legs. She'll go bravely through with it."
Mr. Nathan's heart sank, but he could not object.
The company was divided. Then, to the surprise of not a few, Mrs. Hacker spoke again. The hated name had dispelled her doubts.
"I'll do it, and chance master," she said. "Yes, there's no false shame in me, I believe. I'll do it rather than----"
"You're made for the part, ma'am," declared Mr. Nathan, much relieved. "And very fine you'll look. You've got to kiss Father Christmas at the end of the play, though. I hope you don't mind that."
"That's why she's going to act the part!" shouted Heathman, and laughter drowned Mrs. Hacker's reply.
In good spirits the company broke up, and the young folk went away excited, the old people interested and amused.
Merriment sounded on the grey July night; many women chattered about the play till long after their usual hour for sleep; and plenty of coarse jests as to the promised entertainment were uttered at the bar of 'The White Thorn' presently.
As for the vicar and his sister, they felt that they had achieved a triumph. Two shadows alone darkened the outlook in Miss Masterman's eyes. She objected to the Nonconformist element as undesirable or unnecessary; and she did not like the introduction of Queen Sabra.
"That showy girl is quite conceited enough already," she said.
But her brother was young and warm-hearted.
"She's lovely, though," he said. "By Jove! the play will be worth doing, if only to see her got up like a princess!"
"Don't be silly, Dennis," answered his sister. "She's a rude wretch, and the Linterns are the most independent people in the parish."
At high summer two men and two maids kept public holiday and wove romance under the great crown of Pen Beacon. From this border height the South Hams spread in a mighty vision of rounded hills and plains; whole forests were reduced to squat, green cushions laid upon the broad earth's bosom; and amid them glimmered wedges and squares of ripening corn, shone root crops, smiled water meadows, and spread the emerald faces of shorn hayfields.