TARRASCH (_again fumbling at the bedroom door_). Give me the key. RADA (_thrusting herself between him and the door_). That is my bedroom. You must not go in. TARRASCH. Are they so modest, then, in Belgium, madam? You're fooling us. What is it? Loot? More loot? The family stocking, eh? (_BRANDER enters. He goes to the table and begins eating._) NANKO. The stocking? No! The stocking is in the chimney-corner, see. (_He shakes an empty stocking that hangs in the fire-place._) Bettine and I, we always hang it up Ready for Santa Claus. It's a good custom. They do it in Germany. The children there Believe that Santa Claus comes down the chimney. TARRASCH. If I know anything of women's eyes, It's either money, or a daughter, Rada. And so--the key! Or else I burst the door. RADA (_looks at him for a moment before speaking_). I throw myself upon your mercy, then. It _is_ my little girl. She is twelve years old. Don't wake her. She has slept all through this night. I thought I might have hidden her. It's too late. It's of the other men that I'm afraid. Not you. But they are drunk. If they come back.... Help me to save her! I'll do anything for you, Anything! Only help me to get her away! I'll pray for you every night of my life. I'll pray.... (_She stretches out her hands pitifully and begins to weep. The men stand staring at her. The door opens behind her, and BETTINE, in her night-dress, steals into the room._) BETTINE. Mother----Oh! (_She stops at the sight of the strangers._) BRANDER. Don't be afraid. I'm Nanko's friend. What? Don't you know me? I came down the chimney. BETTINE. I don't see any soot upon your face. (_She goes nearer._) Nor on your clothes. That's red paint, isn't it? BRANDER. Can't help it. Santa Claus--that is my name. What's yours? BETTINE. Bettine. BRANDER. Ah! I've a little girl At home--about your age, too--called Bettine. BETTINE (_who has been watching him curiously_). I know. You are the British. Mother said The British would be here before the Boches. I dreamed that you were coming, and I thought I heard the marching. Weren't you singing, too? It made me feel so happy in my sleep. What were you singing? "It's a long, long way To----" what d'you call it? _Tipperary_? eh? What does that mean? BRANDER. A place a long way off. BETTINE. As far as heaven? BRANDER. Almost as far as--home. BETTINE.