As he was bending his head over the sink before the little mirror, lathering to shave, there came from outside the dissonant voices of boys, pouring out the dregs of carol-singing.
"While Shep-ep-ep-ep-herds watched--" He held his soapy brush suspended for a minute.

They called this singing! His mind flitted back to early carol music.

Then again he heard the vocal violence outside.
"Aren't you off there!" he called out, in masculine menace.

The noise stopped, there was a scuffle.

But the feet returned and the voices resumed.