JENNIFER. Ay, it makes a pleasing clink. PETER. True, Mistress Jennifer. Master Humphrey speaks true. (He pours some coppers from his pockets into his hat.) MARTHA. Are we to go on, Master Ableways? My feet are cold. PETER (shaking the hat). So, a warming noise. HUMPHREY. To it again, gentles. PETER. Are all ready? One--two--three! (They carol.) PETER. Well sung, all. HUMPHREY. Have you the hat, Master Peter? PETER (picking it up). Ay, friend, all is ready. (The door opens and MR. HUBBARD appears at the entrance.) MR. HUBBARD. Good evening, friends. PETER. Good evening, sir. (He holds out the hat.) MR. HUBBARD (looking at it). What is this? (PETER shakes it) Aha! Money! PETER. Remember the carol singers, sir. MR. HUBBARD (helping himself). My dear friends, I will always remember you. This is most generous. I shall never forget your kindness. This is most unexpected. But not the less welcome, not the less--I think there's a ha'penny down there that I missed--thank you. As I was saying, unexpected but welcome. I thank you heartily. Good evening, friends. [He goes in and shuts the door. PETER (who has been too surprised to do anything but keep his mouth open). Well! . . . Well! . . . Well, friends, let us to the next house. We have got all that we can get here. [They trail off silently. MARTHA (as they go off). Master Ableways! PETER. Ay, lass! MARTHA. My feet aren't so cold now. (But this is to be an exciting night. As soon as they are gone, a Burglar and a Burglaress steal into view) BILL. Wotcher get, Liz? (She holds up a gold watch and chain. He nods and holds up a diamond necklace) 'Ow's that? LIZ (starting suddenly). H'st! BILL (in a whisper). What is it? LIZ. Copper! BILL (desperately). 'Ere, quick, get rid of these. 'Ide 'em in the snow, or--- LIZ. Bill! (He turns round) Look! (She points to the stocking and sock hanging up) We can come back for 'em as soon as 'e's gone. (BILL looks at them, and back at her, and grins. He drops the necklace into one and the watch into the other. As the POLICEMAN approaches they strike up, "While shepherds watched their flock by night," with an air of great enthusiasm.) POLICEMAN. Now then, move along there. (They move along. The POLICEMAN flashes his light on the door to see that all is well. The stocking and sock are revealed. He beams sentimentally at them.) SCENE III.--We are inside the house again. MRS. HUBBARD is still reading a page of the magazine. In dashes MR. HUBBARD with the sock and stocking. MR. HUBBARD. My darling, what do you think? Father Christmas has sent you a little present. (He hands her the stocking.) MRS. HUBBARD. Henry! Has he sent you one too? MR. HUBBARD (holding up his sock). Observe! MRS. HUBBARD. How sweet of him! I wonder what mine is. What is yours, darling?