'The Puritan's Explanation'

I recently received a letter from Evelyn, a Canadian, which read ... "I have recently inherited a beautiful painting by Frank Hyde titled 'The Puritan's Explanation'. My grandfather purchased it - I don't know when or where and I can only guess that your uncle and the artist are one and the same." ... "I have enjoyed this painting all of my life and am pleased to finally find some info on the 'net'...."

Evelyn included a a couple of close up images shown below to illustrate details in the painting. The facial expressions are delightfully depicted.

    Evelyn adds: "... the Puritan is Explaining why there is mistletoe on his hat ( the little green and white sprig in the second photo) ... I think he, the Puritan, just wanted to get into the spirit of the season, even though nothing else indicates that it must be Christmas time!"

It seems that the centre monk is holding up a hair shirt with which they are teasing the puritan. These were a coarse garment made out of hair (e.g. horse hair) worn next to the skin by religious ascetics as penance.