NANKO O, this will be a merry Christmas Eve. There now--just see how this kind gentleman Has opened the package for us. Doesn't it show The value of training, military training? That's what we want. It benefits the health. Sets a man up. Look at old Peter's legs, He's a disgrace to the nation, a disgrace! Nobody shoots him, either. So he spoils Everything; for you know, you must admit, Subka, that war means natural selection, Survival of the fittest, don't you see? For instance, _I_ survive, and _you_ survive; Don't we? So Peter shouldn't spoil it all. They say that all the tall young men in France Were killed in the Napoleonic wars, So that most Frenchmen at the present day Are short and fat. Isn't that funny, Subka? [_She laughs._] Which shows us that tall men are not required To-day. So nobody knows. Perhaps thin legs Like Peter's may be useful after all In aeroplanes or something. Every ounce Makes a great difference there. Nobody knows. It's natural selection, after all. Survival of the fittest! Don't you see? Ah, now the gramophone's ready. Make it play "Proud Nikephor Determined!" MICHAEL [_Taking out a record._] Why, look here! Here is the tune for Christmas Eve. ARRAM [_While he speaks he looks to outer door, and draws a curtain over the window._] Don't do it! Don't start it playing if you want to keep This Christmas party to ourselves, my boy. The men are mad with drink and--other things. Look here, Michael, what are we going to do About this youngster, eh? MICHAEL Better keep quiet Till morning. When the men have slept it off They'll stand a better chance of slipping away. NANKO O, what a pity, Subka! I did think 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 the bench. Your mother tells me that you won the prize For learning it so beautifully, Subka. That's right. These good kind gentlemen shall hear Your Christmas piece. SUBKA It's about the first Christmas. [_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, good will toward men."