Barbara. Yes, Karl is all out of breath, and little Jan can hardly keep up.
Heinrich [dropping the sled rope]. I'm not tired. I'm going to run back to the holly trees to get a few more sprays. [Exit.]
Oscar [who has been measuring the tree with his arm.] Fritz, do you think the good St. Nicholas can cover such a big tree as this?
Karl. It's pretty big. It's bigger than me—or Katrina—I guess it's bigger than Fritz or Barbara or Heinrich.
Katrina. I think it's bigger than the one St. Nicholas filled for us last year.
Jan. But then, you see, we are bigger children than we were last year.
Fritz. But the tree is almost big enough to hold you on the top branches, kleiner Bruder, if the good St. Nicholas wanted to put you there. See! [He and Barbara help Jan on top of the load. Enter Heinrich excitedly.]
Heinrich. Fritz, Fritz! And, Barbara, and all of you! Listen to what I've seen. I was running over to the holly trees, you know, when I tripped on a bit of grape-vine, and rolled over in the snow. [Brushes snow from his clothes.] And when I sat up there was the queerest little black cottage right there. I do believe it just came up out of the ground like a house in a fairy-book.
Fritz. Oh no, it didn't, Heinrich, it's always been there! I've seen it many a time.