“Performance?” She sat and arranged her shawl behind her.
“Yes. It’s the annual Nativity play.” He shot her a mischievous grin. “Prepare to be hugely entertained.”
She settled back as the candles were dimmed, leaving only the ones circling the stage. Two tall lads emerged and fastened an appropriate cloth to the wall. On it, small hands had painted a kind of stable, some very interesting green plants and what probably was meant to be a donkey. It was strangely appealing.
“Were you involved in anything like this?” Reid leaned close and whispered in her ear.
She shook her head. “No,” she whispered back. “We sang carols and lit a Yule log, but never did any Nativity plays.”
“Enjoy this, then. It’s unique.”
And indeed it was.
Prudence was charmed as a little girl in blue came out and sat on a small box. Then another girl with big feathery wings and a gold wreath danced out as Miss Wellworthy began the tale of Christmas, introducing Mary and setting the scene.
The Angel Gabriel announced the coming of a special child, Mary and Joseph—a young lad whose beard kept falling off—were denied a room at the Inn and eventually arrived at the stable.
There was a tiny but enthusiastic gathering of musicians, and Prudence sang along withHark the Herald, humming the verses she couldn’t remember.
The story was familiar, but seeing it through the eyes of these children, so excited and happy and proud to be performing…with the exception of poor Joseph and the beard…it brought something new into Prudence’s life. A realization of innocence. And something she had never thought of—or missed—the joy of sharing something special with one’s family.
She had no mother. Not even a name. Nor a father that she knew of. She’d never felt the lack of them though, thanks to Aunt Dorothea. And how she would have enjoyed this little play.
She laughed along with the audience as the shepherds brought in their sheep, wooden shapes with wheels and tufts of wool lovingly stuck to their heads.
Sheoohedandaahedas the three Wise Men presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, as represented by some shiny buttons, an empty perfume bottle and a lump of soap, rather the worse for wear.
The next hymn was new to her,The Holly and the Ivy. She listened to the clear young voices soaring into the rafters, unaccompanied this time since it was evident that the music was new to the rest of the audience as well. It was lyrical, musically pleasing and she smiled at the enthusiasm of this young choir.
At last the performance drew to an end with all the children gathered around Mary and the baby in her arms. She was heard to tell Joseph to “git yer mitts off of ma doll”, but other than that slight deviation from the script, all went according to plan.
The room stood to celebrate the season and the play by singingOh Come All Ye Faithful,and the final rousing notes were the cue for a huge round of applause and cheers.
Prudence expected chaos to erupt following the performance, but the audience sat once more. Curious, she noticed a girl, one of the older schoolchildren most probably, walk onto the stage. In her hands she held a large wreath.
Silence fell.
“To begin our Chrithtmath theason, Little Chillendale would like to offer thith weeth…”
“Wreath,” hissed Miss Wellworthy.
“Yeth…wereath…”
Miss Wellworthy sighed audibly but waved the girl on.
“We’re gonna give it to Mithter Reid.”
Obviously the confusion of pronunciation along with the lisp had eliminated the balance of the formal declaration, but the meaning remained clear.
Reid touched her arm. “Excuse me. That’s my cue.”
He rose and walked steadily to the stage. “I gladly accept, Jenny. On behalf of the Chillendales of Chillendale Hall, I will take this wreath and wear it with pride.”
Prudence watched not only Reid, but the faces of the people in the hall as he made his acceptance. They were smiling, some teary eyed, others staring in awe as Mr. Reid himself knelt down in front of little Jenny, the butcher’s daughter, and let her place theweethon his head.
Then he stood, straightened it a little so that it was less likely to poke out an eye, reached for Jenny’s hand and turned them both to face the audience.
“Let the Christmas revelsbegin.” His voice echoed over the entire assembled crowd.
