(_The_ PRIEST _goes up the steps of the altar and holds the pennies
high above his head in consecrating gesture, and as he does so, the
organ music breaks off with an amazed suddenness for from above
there comes the far triumphant ringing of the chimes, mingled with
ethereal voices singing The Alleluia._)

(_A wave of awe sweeps over everyone in the chancel and as the_
PRIEST _wheels and gestures them to their knees, they prostrate
themselves quickly._ HOLGER, _too, kneels awe-struck but the woman
rises to her full height and stands watching. From this time on, she
withdraws gradually into the deeper shadows of the hut and is seen
no more._)

(_As they all kneel the Angel enters from the right, ascends the
steps of the altar and stands beside the huddled figure of the_
PRIEST. _As she stands there, a single pencil of light shines down
upon her from above, a ray of light so brilliant that everything
around seems dull in comparision, and while she gives her message,
the light above grows till it floods her hair and garments with a
miraculous radiance. The_ ANGEL _smiles at_ HOLGER _and chants in a
lovely voice._)

ANGEL. Verily, verily, I say unto you, it is not gold nor silver nor
rich pearls but love and selfsacrifice that please the Lord. The
Christ-Child was hungered and you gave him meat,--a stranger and you
took Him in.

HOLGER. (_In an awed tone_) But I--I have not seen the Christ-Child.

ANGEL. Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these His