"Oh, it will be all right if we're back by supper-time," said Robert, hastily. "Only of course we must take care not to catch cold. Come and help me to get some wraps." The old oak chest in which spare shawls, rugs, and coats were kept was soon ransacked, and the mummers' gay dresses hidden by motley wrappers. But no sooner did Darkie and Pax behold the coats, etc., than they at once began to leap and bark, as it was their custom to do when they saw any one dressing to go out. Robin was sorely afraid that this would betray them; but though the Captain and his wife heard the barking they did not guess the cause. So the front door being very gently opened and closed, the nursery mummers stole away. VII. It was a very fine night. The snow was well-trodden on the drive, so that it did not wet their feet, but on the trees and shrubs it hung soft and white. "It's much jollier being out at night than in the daytime," said Robin. "Much," responded Nicholas, with intense feeling. "We'll go a wassailing next week," said Robin. "I know all about it, and perhaps we shall get a good lot of money, and then we'll buy tin swords with scabbards for next year. I don't like these sticks. Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so long between one Christmas and another." "Where shall we go first?" asked Nicholas, as they turned into the high road. "This is the first house," he said. "We'll act here;" and all pressed in as quickly as possible. Once safe within the grounds, they shouldered their sticks, and marched with composure. "You're going to the front door," said Nicholas. "Mummers ought to go to the back." "We don't know where it is," said Robin, and he rang the front-door bell. There was a pause. Then lights shone, steps were heard, and at last a sound of much unbarring, unbolting, and unlocking. It might have been a prison. Then the door was opened by an elderly, timid-looking woman, who held a tallow candle above her head. "Who's there?" she said, "at this time of night." "We're Christmas mummers," said Robin, stoutly; "we didn't know the way to the back door, but----" "And don't you know better than to come here?" said the woman. "Be off with you, as fast as you can." "You're only the servant," said Robin. "Go and ask your master and mistress if they wouldn't like to see us act. We do it very well." "You impudent boy, be off with you!" repeated the woman. "Master'd no more let you nor any other such rubbish set foot in this house----" "Woman!" shouted a voice close behind her, which made her start as if she had been shot, "who authorizes you to say what your master will or will not do, before you've asked him? The boy is right. You _are_ the servant, and it is not your business to choose for me whom I shall or shall not see." "I meant no harm, sir, I'm sure," said the housekeeper; "but I thought you'd never----"