Harold: (Climbing up on stile so as to look over the hedge):
Yes, I see a big house not far away. I’m sure that must be where Santa is. Let us rest here awhile.
(Harold seats himself beside Ethel—puts his arms around her, draws her near to him.)
And then we will surely find Santa.
(After pause)
I’m jolly glad the moon is shining, aren’t you, Ethel?
(Ethel does not answer, for she has fallen asleep. Gently Harold lays her down upon the boughs and with a yawn says——)
I think I’ll just rest awhile myself.
(And in a minute he, too, is fast asleep.)
(Soon after the children fall asleep, two Poachers arrive on the scene, and, entirely oblivious to the fact that there are human beings near them, they proceed to the work of the evening, just as the bell in the village clock strikes the hour of ten. All through the work of the Poachers the children remain fast asleep.)