SCENE—_Kitchen of inn. In centre a fire: pot over it. White walls. Two doors_ R. _and_ L., R. _into street_, L. _into inn. A table_ R. _with three stools. Discovered_ TOBIAS, _stirring pot, and_ DAVID _busying himself with plates at the table. After curtain is up_, TOBIAS _leaves spoon in pot, and comes forward. During all this scene he is plainly uneasy and indecisive. He relapses into silence, then rouses himself to speak._ TOB. And you have heard it, David? [_They speak softly._ DAV. Yes, all day, Good master, have I heard them. TOB. “Them,” you say? Why, who are they? [_He looks steadily at_ DAV., _with folded arms_. DAV. I know not, but the sound Was that of singing in the air, and round [_He makes gesture._ About; and steps, and wings; and everywhere I heard them plainly. TOB. Was it from the air You heard it? DAV. Aye, sir. TOB. Nothing have you seen? DAV. No, sir. [_A silence._ TOB. Now, David, what doth all this mean?... I, too, have heard.... Say not a word of this To any man.... For these are mysteries. [_Clamour of voices and stamping._ [TOB. _leaps back to pot and begins stirring again_. DAV. _turns to plates, &c._ TOB. Now, boy, make haste.... Hark to the guests below. [_Shouts._ Coming, sirs, coming.... Yes, boy, take and go. [_Exit_ DAV. (L.) _with plates and bread_. I’ll bring this presently. God bless us! Why [_Murmur without._ I never heard such tumult. No, not I In all my days. [_Knocking heard on door_ (R.). Yes, yes, come in, come in. [_Enter_ (R.) THREE MERCHANTS. ELIPH. Well, my good host, and have you room within? TOB. What? More of them? Who are you, gentlemen? ELIPH. Why, we are merchants three, come back again To Bethlehem, as all the world doth know, For our enrolment. Through the frost and snow We’ve trudged full many a mile. And have you space For three good gentlemen? [_He sits down heavily._ TOB. Why, all the place Is full from roof to garret. [_Tumult breaks out again._ Hark to them! Why, all mankind seems come to Bethlehem! NAD. Well, well! Have you no beds? TOB. Not one to spare, Nor bite nor sup, I think. [_He makes despairing gesture._