Roger. How cold it is. See, Myles, the moon hath not yet set.
Myles. Yes, yes. Come, Roger. [Disappear (L.).]
[Reuben Turner and Gershom Porter
at door, look cautiously in, then peer
around after the boys.
Reuben [softly]. I see naught of any Christmas bough.
Gershom. Yet we surely heard them planning—— How angry the parson would be. I believe he would even drive them away like the Quakers.
Reuben. My father bade me look and bring him word if what they said was true.
Gershom. Beshrew me, if they haven't covered the window so that none may see them.
[Myles and Roger heard returning with
exclamations "Have a care!" "Gently
now!" etc. Reuben and Gershom hide
themselves without. Enter Roger and
Myles with the tree already decked and
fastened in a small wooden box, which they
place in center of stage. Their backs
turned, Reuben and Gershom appear
again at door, hold up their hands in horror,
whisper together, and make signs of
caution. Watch until Mother appears,
then they vanish.
Myles. There: we got it in quite safely, Roger. Dost think the Christmas boughs in England could have been prettier?