ACT I
Time: The 10th of April.
Scene: Country road leading by the Convent. R., an angle of the Convent Wall. On it a large sign trimmed with evergreens, "Wanted, by the Christmas Monks, two good boys to assist in garden work. Applicants will be examined by Fathers Anselmus and Gregory, on April 8th, 9th, and 10th." Enter (R.) Mistress Longlane and Dolly, wearily, as if at the end of a long journey. Mistress Longlane carries a large basket. Dolly hangs back.
Mistress Longlane [rather crossly]. Now, Dolly Longlane, what with your stopping to gather flowers by the roadside, or to watch the clouds, or to listen to the birds in the hedges, we'll never reach our journey's end. Make haste, now!
Dolly [tearfully]. But, Mother, it's such a long, long way, and I'm so tired.
Mistress Longlane [relenting]. So you are, poor lamb. Well, a few moments can't make a very great difference, so sit ye down on the basket and take a rest. [Puts basket down (L.), and seats Dolly on it, wipes her own face, straightens her bonnet, and then looks about her. Sees sign, at which she glances indifferently, then with interest, at last with amazement. Reads through, then takes out spectacles and reads again.]
Mistress Longlane. Now, what may be the meaning of this?
Dolly. What is it, Mother?
Mistress Longlane [reads sign to Dolly]. The Christmas Monks? What manner of men are the Christmas Monks? Here comes some good dame from the village. I'll make bold to ask.
[Enter Mistress Spinning, with little
Peggy (L.).
Mistress Longlane [courtesying]. Good morrow, Mistress. Have you a moment to spare for a stranger in the country?
Mistress Spinning [courtesying]. Yes, indeed, Mistress, and right gladly. Make your manners, Peggy.
[Peggy courtesies first to Mistress Longlane
and then to Dolly, who rises from
the basket and courtesies, too.
Mistress Longlane. Why, Mistress, I am minded to ask the meaning of this strange sign that hangs upon the wall.
Mistress Spinning. Oh, you must indeed be a stranger in the land if you have never heard of the Christmas Monks. If you have come to make your home in our village, you'll soon learn, I'll warrant me, that this is the home of the Christmas Monks who keep the gardens in which all the Christmas toys are grown.
Mistress Longlane. The Christmas toys!
Dolly. Why, I thought Santa Claus brought them all.
Mistress Spinning. So he does, my dear. He takes them to the children, of course, but this is the garden where he comes to load his sleigh.
Mistress Longlane. You don't say!
Peggy [shaking her finger]. You never can see inside, but that garden is just full of toys. Oh, don't you wish we could peep in! [Both children run in search of holes or cracks, stretch their arms towards the top, and stand on tiptoe, vainly, finally coming back to listen to the conversation of their mothers.]
Mistress Spinning. Yes, the Christmas Monks have a wonderful garden with beds for rocking-horses, beds for dolls, beds for drums, and picture-books and skates and balls. They do say so, that is; of course, I've never seen the inside. And the seeds are just the tiniest bits of dolls and drums and balls, and the rest of it. So little that you can hardly see them at all.
Mistress Longlane. What do the Monks do?
Mistress Spinning. Why, they plant the seeds, and take care of the garden, and see that the toys are all ripe and ready for good old Santa Claus by Christmas time.
Peggy. And that's not all, Mother. They have turkey and plum pudding every day in the year! [Hugs herself.]
Dolly. Oh, my!
Peggy. And it says "Merry Christmas" over the gate.
Mistress Spinning. Yes, and every morning they file into the chapel and sing a Christmas carol, and every evening they ring a Christmas chime.
Peggy. And they have wax candles in all the windows every night.
Mistress Longlane. Why, it's like Christmas every day in the year!
Dolly. Aren't you glad we've come to live in this village, Mother? [Clasps her hands.]
Mistress Longlane. That I am, my dear. Why, it's enough to make one laugh just to hear of it.
Mistress Spinning. That it is, Mistress. You're quite right. The Christmas Monks are so full of the Christmas spirit that it lasts them all the year round, and they just go about putting heart into them that get sad and discouraged. But I think I see some of the children coming for the examination.
Mistress Longlane. Ah! Yes. That's to take place this afternoon?
Mistress Spinning. Yes, this is the last afternoon of it. The good Fathers have already held two examinations and, will you believe it? [Coming closer and speaking very impressively.] They haven't found two boys who are good enough yet, though they've examined hundreds.
[Enter Annetta and Marianna, talking together.
Annetta. Oh, Marianna, don't you wonder whom the good Fathers will choose?
Marianna. Yes, indeed, I do, Annetta. Why, there aren't very many more boys to examine.
Annetta. No, nearly all the boys in the kingdom have tried.
Marianna. But they're all naughty in some way or other.
Annetta. Oh, don't you wish it was two girls the Fathers wanted?
Marianna. Oh, don't I! Ssh! Here comes Peter with his little sister Rosalia.
[Enter Peter and Rosalia.
Peter. Here are some flowers I picked for you, sister.
Rosalia. Thank you, Peter.
Peter. See, sister, that's the sign, and the Monks come right here to examine the boys.
Rosalia. Oh, Peter, I wish they'd take you to work in the Christmas garden!
Peter. There isn't much chance of that, I'm afraid. But, come, sister, I'd better take you home. You might get hurt in the crowd. [Exit (L.), Peter bowing politely as he passes the women.]
Annetta. Marianna, why wouldn't Peter try?
Marianna. He's going to try to-day, I believe. He wouldn't before because he is so modest.
Annetta. But he's the very best boy in the village, and so good to his parents and his little lame sister!
[Enter Gilbert, Robin, and Walter; all
stand, hands in pockets, before the sign, and
read it in silence.
Gilbert. I wish we had been examined yesterday. I hate not to know about it.
Robin. Well, perhaps we'll have a better chance to-day.
Walter. Yes, there aren't so many of us to choose from.
Gilbert. I suppose the boys that get in there can have all the tops and balls they want.
Robin. Every day in the year.
Walter. Why, all you'd have to do would be to pick them!
Mistress Longlane [looking out L.]. Why, what's this coming down the road?
Mistress Spinning. Why, mercy on us, 'tis the Prince. He must be coming to try the examination.
Children [in hushed voices, crowding to see, peeping over each other's shoulders]. The Prince! The Prince! The Prince!
[Enter Courtier.
Courtier [with an impatient gesture]. Ssh—ssh—ssh! Out of the way there! Make way for his Royal Highness!
[Stands aside, bowing. Enter Prince, his
cloak held by two pages, followed by the
Court Lady, by whom the Courtier
takes his place. Villagers fall back, courtesying
and bowing. Prince stands with
folded arms and haughty air reading sign
and looking about him. Pause.
Prince. Well, I see no Monks. Am I to be kept waiting here all day?
Courtier [bowing low]. Your Highness, the hour set has not yet——
Prince [interrupting angrily]. I say I will not be kept waiting. What will my father the king say when he hears I have been kept standing in the highway with a rabble of common peasant children?
Court Lady. Oh, your Highness, condescend to have a little patience!
Prince [more angrily]. I will not have patience. Patience is not a virtue for Kings and Princes. [Taps his foot on the ground.]
Court Lady [nervously looking up the road]. Oh, but think of something else—think of—think what a pleasant day it is!
Prince [scowling prodigiously]. Pleasant day, indeed!
Courtier. Here they come, your Highness!
Court Lady [full of relief]. Oh, yes! Here they come. Here they come!
[Enter Fathers Anselmus and Gregory
(R.), followed by Sebastian and Felix;
at same time enter Peter (L.). Monks
walk with hands clasped before them. Villagers
all doff caps, bow, and courtesy.
Even the Prince is awed into respect. The
Fathers look about smilingly.
Gregory. Well, well, Brother Anselmus, there seems quite a goodly number awaiting us to-day.
Anselm [rubbing his hands]. Yes, Brother Gregory. I trust we shall discover the right boys at last. Let me see. [Looks about, aside.] I suppose we should examine his Royal Highness first?
Gregory. Truly, my Brother. Let us commit no breach of etiquette.
Anselm. Your Highness! [Monks bow very slightly. Prince and attendants advance a little.] How old are you?
Courtier [haughtily]. His Royal Highness has just completed his eleventh year.
Gregory. Indeed! And is he a good boy, as boys go?
Court Lady. "As boys go," indeed! Why, his Royal Highness is not to be mentioned in the same day with common boys!
Anselm. Oh! Then you are not like other boys?
Courtier and Court Lady [bowing to Prince]. A wonderful child, your worships!
Gregory. Then he doesn't often do anything wrong?
Courtier. Wrong? Oh, never, your worship!
Court Lady. He never did a wrong thing in all his sweet life. [Clasps hands and casts up her eyes.]
Anselm. Is he diligent? What about his lessons?
Courtier. He doesn't need to study.
Court Lady. A most brilliant intellect!
Gregory. Well, well, well, Anselmus, I think we must try this paragon. [They put their heads together.]
Geoffrey, 1st Page. He just smashes his toys!
Humphrey, 2nd Page. And he beats his dogs!
Courtier and Court Lady. Horrors! [They turn and each boxes the ear of the nearest page.]
Geoffrey. And when he's angry he kicks and screams!
Humphrey. And he won't mind even the King, his father!
[Courtier and Court Lady each clap a hand
over a Page's mouth.
Courtier [aside to Lady]. Such disrespect!
Court Lady [aside to Courtier]. Such indiscretion!
Anselm. Your Royal Highness is accepted. Now, Brother Gregory, we will continue the examination. First boy!
[The Prince and his train fall back slightly.
Gilbert steps forward.
Gregory. Your name?
Gilbert. Gilbert, the Carpenter's apprentice.
Anselm. Are you a good boy?
Gilbert [doubtfully]. I guess so, sir.
Gregory. Do you always speak the truth, Gilbert?
Gilbert [stammering]. W-w-w-well, nearly always.
Anselm. Tut-tut-tut! That won't do at all. Always speak the truth, my boy. I am afraid we can't take you. Next.
[Gilbert steps back, hanging his head. Robin
comes forward.
Gregory. Name?
Robin [in a small, frightened voice]. Robin, the Forester's son.
Anselm. Don't be afraid, Robin. So you are the Forester's son. Ah-h! Hum, hum-m-m! Are you kind to animals, Robin?
Robin. Oh, yes, sir. My father teaches me to be good to them always.
[Gregory bends over and whispers to Anselm.
Anselm. Robin, answer me truthfully. Did you ever rob a bird's nest?
[Robin hangs his head and works his toes about.
Anselm. Did you do this?
Robin [rubbing his eyes]. Yes, Father, I did.
Gregory. Too bad, too bad. Now I am sorry to hear this.
Anselm. So am I, Gregory, but you see it won't do!
[Robin goes to stand by Gilbert, still rubbing his eyes.
Gregory. Next boy. [Walter steps forward.] Name?
Walter. I am Walter, the Miller's boy, and I help my father in the mill.
Anselm. That is right, Walter; we approve of that.
Gregory. You are diligent in the mill. How about lessons?
Walter. Well—I go to school——
Anselm. Are you at the head of your class?
Walter. N-n-n-no, sir.
Anselm. Second, then?
Walter. N-n-no, sir.
Gregory. Well, well, where are you, then? At the foot?
Walter. Y-y-yes, sir.
Anselm. Tut-tut! [Shakes his head.] What a pity! Are there any more boys, Gregory?
[Walter crooks his elbow over his eyes and
stands by Robin.
Gregory. One boy, Brother Anselmus.
Anselm. Ah! yes. I have seen this boy before, I think. Isn't this boy named Peter?
Peter. Yes, sir.
Mistress Spinning [coming suddenly forward and courtesying]. And a better boy never lived, your reverence, if you'll excuse me for mentioning it.
Anselmus. Certainly, Dame, certainly. We shall be very glad to hear what you know about Peter.
Mistress Spinning. It's just this I know, sir. He's a good, hard-working, honest boy, sir, and very obedient to his parents.
Peggy. He takes good care of his little sister——
Marianna. And he never teases little girls——
Annetta. And he's at the head of his class in school——
Gilbert. And the teacher likes him——
Robin. So do all the boys——
Walter. So does everybody in town!
Gregory. Well, well, Brother Anselmus, it does seem as if we had found a good boy at last, doesn't it?
Anselm. Yes, Brother Gregory, this is surely the right boy for us. And now that Peter and the Prince are accepted, let us return to our Convent and resume our exercises there. Come, boys.
[Children all clap loudly. Monks form a procession,
Peter falls in behind, and the
Prince gives his hand haughtily to be
kissed by his attendants, then struts after.
Exeunt, the Monks chanting.
CURTAIN