SCENE II.--Outside the house the snow lies deep. The stocking and sock are tied on to the door-knocker. There is a light in the window.
A party of carol-singers, with lanterns, come by and halt in the snow outside the house.
PETER ABLEWAYS. Friends, are we all assembled?
JONAS HUMPHREY. Ay, ay, Peter Ableways, assembled and met together in a congregation, for the purpose of lifting up our voices in joyous thanksgiving, videlicet the singing of a carol or other wintry melody.
JENNIFER LING. Keep your breath for your song, Master Humphrey. That last "Alleluia" of yours was a poor windy thing, lacking grievously in substance.
JONAS (sadly). It is so. I never made much of an Alleluia. It is not in my nature somehow. 'Tis a vain boastful thing an Alleluia.
MARTHA PORRITT. Are we to begin soon, Master Ableways? My feet are cold.
JONAS. What matter the feet, Martha Porritt, if the heart be warm with loving-kindness and seasonable emotions?
MARTHA. Well, nothing of me will be warm soon.
JENNIFER. Ay, let's begin, Peter Ableways, while we carry the tune in our heads. It is ill searching for the notes in the middle of the carol, as some singers do.
PETER. Well spoken, Mistress Jennifer. Now listen all, while I unfold the nature of the entertainment. _Item_--A carol or birth song to draw the attention of all folk to the company here assembled and the occasion celebrated. _Item_--Applause and the clapping of hands. _Item_--A carol or song of thanksgiving. _Item_--A collection.
JONAS. An entertainment well devised, Master Ableways, sobeit the words of the second song remain with me after I am delivered of the first.
MARTHA. Are we to begin soon, Master Ableways? My feet are cold.
PETER. Are we all ready, friends? I will say one--two--three--and at "three" I pray you all to give it off in a hearty manner from the chest. One--two--
JONAS. Hold, hold, Master Ableways! Does it begin--No, that's the other one. (JENNIFER whispers the first line to him) Ay, ay--I have it now--and bursting to get out of me. Proceed, Peter Ableways.
HUMPHREY. The applause followed, good Master Peter, as ordained. Moreover, I have the tune of the second song ready within me. Likewise a la-la-la or two to replace such words as I have forgotten.
