se and Nilla, come on right, one behind the other. They
have mourning veils swathed about their tails.]

NISSE. I say, it smells like roast pig!

NILLA. Oh, I promise you! Be careful, Nisse! I see the trap over there.
[Sits on hind legs.] 'Twas in that very trap that our little ones were
lost! O dear, dear, dear!

NISSE. If we could only hit upon some trick to play on the bad old man
it would do my bowels good! Can you see if he has left anything about
which he values?

NILLA. Suppose we gnaw the ropes so the bells will tumble down on his
head--

NISSE. Why, Nilla! you know that I have only one poor tooth left in my
head.

NILLA. But I have two--and where there's a will there's--but you, you
have no feeling for your children!

NISSE. Come now! we shan't quarrel on Christmas Eve.

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
scented its aroma a long way off. It will taste good to me on a cold
night, like this. I hope he has given me a big lump of butter this year,
since I have been so good to him. [Loosens belt.] There! get you ready,
my stomach. I'll let out two holes in the belt, which will make it about
right. [He sees dish.] Ah, ha! what's this? Empty dishes! What has come
over the old man-hater? Has he grown stingy and arrogant, or does he
mock me, when he sets out an empty dish! There has been porridge here
[smells]--butter, too! Well, well, old man! I'm sorry for you, but I
shall have to punish you. The elf is for the purpose of punishing and
rewarding. I must sit down and think out some _real_ Christmas gift.
[Sits in chair.] Let me see! The old man shuts himself up in this place
with his son, whom he wishes to shield from the evils and shams of the
world. The old man has seen much of the world, and hates it; the young
one has never been beyond the church