{{betlep142.png}}

the effective "Why the Chimes Bang," with the
old but always beautiful motive of the stranger
entertained who proved to be the Christ-child
in disguise.

Carolyn had promised to tell Betty exactly
"how everything went off" and sat with Kath-
ryn and Mary Emma well toward the front and
on the junior aisle nearest the middle of the
auditorium. But Betty herself was peeping
from the rear of the auditorium, or just outside
one of the doors. The senior boy who took the
part of the unselfish lad that gives up going to
the cathedral, in order to welcome and care for
the unexpected guest, Betty did not know very
well; but she admired his playing of the part
and was horrified when a laugh went over the
audience at one moment.

"There! I knew they'd do that," said a senior
girl beside her. "It's only because it's so funny
to have Jean almost faint in his arms. You see
we know everybody! And those bowls they have
the porridge in look too new!"

But the audience, who had, it must be said,
been warned that they must be a part of the
play, behaved most circumspectly when later
the walls of the woodchopper's hut parted to
reveal a cathedral shrine or altar. From the
rear of the auditorium, now supposed to be the

 [[142]]