[_There is silence for a moment, then the sound of a pistol shot, a scream, and a roar of drunken laughter without, followed by a furious pounding on the outer door._] ARRAM Here, Michael, 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. [_There is a louder shout outside, and the pounding is resumed._] Bundle the child Into that room, woman, at once! [RADA _snatches the revolver from the Christmas tree and hurries_ SUBKA _into the room on the right, just as the outer door bursts open and a troop of drunken soldiers appear on the threshold, shouting and furious with drink._] FIRST SOLDIER Come on! They're in that room. I saw them! The only skirts Left in the village. Come, it's Christmas Eve, Comrades. You've had your fun. ARRAM Clear out of this, We want to sleep. SECOND SOLDIER Well, hand the women over. MICHAEL There are no women here. FIRST SOLDIER You bloody wolf, I saw them! NANKO Come! Come! Come! It's Christmas Eve. SECOND SOLDIER Well--if there are no women--where's the harm In letting us poor soldiers take a squint Thro' yonder door. My God, we'll do it, too. Come on, my boys! [_They make a rush towards the room._] NANKO Be careful! Or you'll smash The Christmas tree! You'll smash the gramophone! [_A soldier tries the door on the right. Suddenly it is opened from within_ and RADA _appears on the threshold with the revolver in her hand._] FIRST SOLDIER Liars! Liars! RADA There is one woman here, One woman and a child---- And war they tell me is a noble thing; It is the mother of heroic deeds, The nurse of honour, manhood. SECOND SOLDIER Christ, a speech! RADA Yes, and your training benefits your health. NANKO [_Who is crouching over the fire again._] Certainly, Rada! Military training! Life is a battle. RADA You hear, drunk as you are, Up to your necks in blood, you hear this fool, This poor old fool, piping his dreary cry; And through his lips, and through his softening brain, You and the men that buy you, statesmen, kings, Teach the poor sheep of the world that war is good. Go! Take your manhood out of this. Or else---- [_She threatens to shoot._] I have one bullet for the child, and five To share between you and myself! FIRST SOLDIER O, Christ, A speech! [_They fall back before the revolver as she raises it._] RADA If you have children of your own, Listen to me ... The child is twelve years old. She has never had one hard word spoken to her In all her life. FIRST SOLDIER Nor shall she now, by God! Where is she? Bring her out! SECOND SOLDIER Twelve years of age! That's ripe enough for marriage to a soldier. [_They laugh._] FIRST SOLDIER She can't shoot! Look at the way she's holding it! Duck down and make a rush for it! Come on! [_Several of them make a rush_, RADA _steps back and shuts the door in their faces._] SECOND SOLDIER Locked out, by God! We'll have to break it down.