CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS 199

“wherein both claim to be best-loved, and have their say
of wit and humor, and each her part of songs and dances
suited to her time, the sprightly galliard and the nimble
jig for Spring, the slow pavone, the stately peacock dance,
for Summer-time. And win who may, fair Summer-time
or merry Spring, the winner is but that beside our Queen! ”
—with which he snapped his fingers in the faces of them
all—“ God save Queen Bess!”

At that the Queen’s eyes twinkled, and she nodded,
highly pleased, so that every one clapped mightily.

The play soon ran its course amid great laughter and
applause. Spring won. The English ever loved her best,
and the quick-paced galliard took their fancy, too. “Up
and be doing!” was its tune, and it gave one a chance to
eut fine capers with his heels.

Then the stage stood empty and the music stopped.

At this strange end a whisper of surprise ran through
the hall. The Queen tapped with the inner side of her
rings upon the broad arm of her chair. From the look on
her face she was whetting her tongue. But before she
could speak, Nick and Colley, dressed as a farmer boy
and girl, with a garland of house-grown flowers about
them, came down the stage from the arras, hand in hand,
bowing.

The audience-chamber grew very still—this was some-
thing new. Nick felt a swallowing in his throat, and
Colley’s hand winced in his grip. There was no sound
but a silky rustling in the room.

Then suddenly the boys behind the players’ curtain