NILLA. Hush! What have we here?

NISSE. A dish of porridge--

NILLA. Which the old man has left--

NISSE. For the elf. He's afraid of him!

NILLA. Now I know! We'll eat up the porridge so--

NISSE. The elf will get after him--

NILLA. And he can raise the mischief when he gets angry. [They are
over by the dish now, and eating.]

NISSE. Oh, move along and make room for me!

NILLA. Hush! It creaks in the stairs.

NISSE. Now I see the bottom of the dish; there's the lump of butter!

NILLA. Help me with this corner.

NISSE. Ah!--now we'll wipe our mouths and run. [They scurry off
left.]

[Elf slides down bell-rope.]

ELF. [Walks about and searches.] Where's my Christmas porridge? I