or a moment, then the sound of a pistol shot, a
scream, and a roar of drunken laughter without, followed by a furious
pounding on the outer door._]

ARRAM
Here, Michael, what the devil are we to do
About this child?
[_He calls through the door._]
Clear out of this! The house
Is full! We want to sleep.
[_There is a louder shout outside, and the pounding is resumed._]
Bundle the child
Into that room, woman, at once!

[RADA _snatches the revolver from the Christmas tree and hurries_ SUBKA
_into the room on the right, just as the outer door bursts open and a
troop of drunken soldiers appear on the threshold, shouting and furious
with drink._]

FIRST SOLDIER
Come on!
They're in that room. I saw them! The only skirts
Left in the village. Come, it's Christmas Eve,
Comrades. You've had your fun.

ARRAM
Clear out of this,
We want to sleep.

SECOND SOLDIER
Well, hand the women over.

MICHAEL
There are no women here.

FIRST SOLDIER
You bloody wolf,
I saw them!

NANKO
Come! Come! Come! It's Christmas Eve.

SECOND SOLDIER
Well--if there are no women--where's the harm
In letting us poor soldiers take a squint
Thro' yonder door. My God, we'll do it, too.
Come on, my boys!
[_They make a rush towards the room._]

NANKO
Be careful! Or you'll smash
The Christmas tree! You'll smash the gramophone!

[_A soldier tries the door on the right. Suddenly it is opened from
within_ and RADA _appears on the threshold with the revolver in her
hand._]

FIRST SOLDIER
Liars! Liars!

RADA
There is one woman here,
One woman and a child----
And war they tell me is a noble thing;
It is the mother of heroic deeds,
The nurse of honour, manhood.

SECOND SOLDIER
Christ, a speech!

RADA
Yes, and your training benefits your health.

NANKO
[_Who is crouching over the fire again._]
Certainly, Rada! Military training!
Life is a battle.

RADA
You hear, drunk as you are,
Up to your necks in blood, you hear this fool,
This poor old fool, piping his dreary cry;
And through his lips, and through his softening brain,
You and the men that buy you, statesmen, kings,
Teach the poor sheep of the world that war is good.
Go! Take your manhood out of this. Or else----
[_She threatens to shoot._]
I have one bullet for the child, and five
To share between you and myself!

FIRST SOLDIER
O, Christ,
A speech!
[_They fall back before the revolver as she raises it._]

RADA
If you have children of your own,
Listen to me ... The