to the hall a rout of wildly gay and dancing
maskers: Harlequin, Columbine, a Pig, Pantaloon, an enormously tall
Ghost, Clowns, a Skeleton, Ballet-girls, Oriental Princesses, Monks,
Courtiers, Turks and Jew Pedlers. The first few attempt to draw back
on seeing the chairs and the four old men; but they are pushed on by
those behind. Once in, they all circle about in a crazy dance, singing
over and over the same verse._

THE MASKERS

Oh, children, children, New Year's Day
Is more than half a year away.
And we might get most awful dry
If we should wait for the Fourth of July.
So let us celebrate now and here
With rah, rah, rah and a bottle of beer!

[_One of the maskers, who is dressed as a clown,
raises his hands, ineffectually trying to hush the
rest._

CLOWN (_shouting_)

Stop! Stop! I want to teach another verse
To you before we go back to the others.

[_Loud laughter. The song continues._

THE SKELETON (_shouting_)

Isn't one bad enough?

CLOWN

A poor thing--but
It is mine own.

THE PIG

So much the worse for you!

ONE OF THE OLD MEN (_rising_)

Gentlemen! There's to be a lecture here.

CLOWN

Is that all? Well, I'll give it you myself.

A MONK

Not if we see you first!

THE PIG

My God! Let's run!

SKELETON

Back! Or the others will drink all the punch!

[_The mob of maskers turbulently surges out again,
leaving the hall quiet and empty except for the
four old men._

AN OLD MAN

They are a noisy lot.

SECOND OLD MAN

Yes.

THE FIRST OLD MAN

There must be
Party upstairs?

SECOND OLD MAN

Yes, I suppose there is.

FIRST OLD MAN

They begin early.

THIRD OLD MAN

Early? Yes, or late.
This is the end of last night's party, which
Began at twelve, and likely'll last till noon.
I know, for I'm the janitor.

FIRST OLD MAN

Well! Well!

[_Two men enter, look around and take seats in the
chairs set for the audience. One carries a small
black surgical case; the other has a green bag
under his arm._

DOCTOR

We seem to be a little early--or
Have we made some mistake?

LAWYER

No, ten's the hour.
But I was anxious that we should be prompt,
And so have rather overdone our haste.

DOCTOR

It doesn't matter;