(First time off stage—Second time on stage—Crier takes center stage, rings bell vigorously, takes position with bell reposing in left arm, with right hand clutching tongue of bell.)
Town Crier: Lost, strayed or stolen, a ten-year-old boy and his young sister—the children of our fellow townsman, Mr. Alphonso Cruickshank, Ironmonger and Tinker, of Number 12, High Street, Sandbach. When last seen, the children were walking in the direction of Congleton Road, but beyond this their whereabouts are unknown. A reward of 50 guineas in gold will be paid to any person, or persons, who, finding the children, shall safely return them to their bereaved parents.
(Exit Crier.)
(Watchman in distance is heard calling, “Nine o’clock and all’s well.” The village clock strikes the hour and the chimes sweetly play.)
(Enter Clews, right, who saunters across stage and returns, taking position under lamp, when chimes are ended.)
(Enter Allcock, left, carrying bundle.)
Clews: Good evenin’, mate, w’ere ’as thi bin, I’ve been waitin’ on thi fur the last ’our.
Allcock: I dunna wonder at thi askin’ w’ere I’ve been. This’ll be the first toime in the last twel’ yer that I’ve missed bein’ at the Black Bear on Christmas eve. But that is ner the on’y thing I’ve missed, so I must ’asten ’ome and get a bite o’ summat to eat.
Clews: Does ta mean to tell me thi ’asn’t ’ad thi supper yet?
Allcock: I conna speak no plainer than w’at I sed a minit ago.