Oh, what a pity! I did think, Bettine, That we should have some music. Well--I know! Tell us the Christmas piece you learned in school. That's right. Stand there! No, stand up on this bench. Your mother tells me that you won the prize For learning it so beautifully, Bettine. That's right. Now, while you say it, I will stand Here, with a candle. See, that illustrates The scene. (_He lifts one of the candles to illuminate the picture of the Madonna and child. For a moment he speaks with a curious dignity._) You know it is not all delusion About this Christmas Eve. The wise men say That Time is a delusion. Now then, speak Your Christmas piece. BETTINE (_with her hands behind her, as if in school, she obeys him_). She laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. "For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. "And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying:-- "_Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace...._" (_There is silence for a moment, then a pistol-shot, a scream, and a roar of drunken laughter without, followed by a furious pounding on the door. BETTINE runs to her mother._) BRANDER. Here, Tarrasch, what the devil are we to do About this child? (_He calls through the door._) Clear out of this! The house Is full. We want to sleep. (_The uproar grows outside, and the pounding is resumed. There is a crash of broken glass at the window._) BETTINE. Mother, I'm frightened! It is the Boches! Mother, it is the Boches! Where are the British, mother? You said the British Were sure to be here first! BRANDER. Bundle the child Into that room, woman, at once! (_RADA snatches the revolver from the Christmas-tree and hurries BETTINE into the bedroom just as the other door is burst open and a troop of soldiers appear on the threshold, shouting and furious with drink. They sing, with drunken gestures, in the doorway:_) "Zum Rhein, zum Rhein, zum deutscher Rhein...." FIRST SOLDIER. Come on! They're in that room. I saw them! The only skirts Left in the village. Comrades, you've had your fun-- It's time for ours. BRANDER. Clear out of this. You're drunk. We want to sleep.