adult.

Chant, in unison, from the church below:

A Solis ortus cardine
Et usque terrae limitem
Christum canamus principem
Natum Maria Virgini.

[Old Man comes up tower steps and enters carrying a rat-trap, a
barley-sheaf and a dish of porridge, which he sets down on the
floor.]

OLD MAN. Now the elf shall have his Christmas porridge. And this
year he has earned it honestly--twice he awakened me when I fell
asleep and forgot the tower shutters; once he rang the bell when
fire broke loose. Merry Christmas, Elf! and many of them. [Takes up
rat-trap and sets it.] Here's your Christmas mess, Satan's rats!

A VOICE. Curse not Christmas!

OLD MAN. I believe there are spirits about to-night--Ugh! it's the
cold increasing; then the beams always creak, like an old ship.
Here's your Christmas supper. Now perhaps you'll quit gnawing the
bell-rope and eating up the tallow, you accursed pest!

A VOICE. Curse not Christmas!

OLD MAN. The spooks are at it again! Christmas eve--yes, yes!
[Places rat-trap on the floor.] There! Now they have their portion.