ACT II
Time: Christmas morning.
Scene: Sitting-room, with large old-fashioned fireplace[10] [back Center]. Toys scattered about. A small blackboard to left of fireplace. Dick and Dot sitting in little chairs. Dick, with a knife, whittling. Dot, with a doll. Both wear sprigs of holly.
Dot. Everybody has given us such lovely presents. It couldn't be nicer, could it, Dick?
Dick [sighing]. I think it could be just a little nicer. It would be nicer if we had a lot of brothers and sisters to help us play with the soldiers and the blocks and the dolls and everything. Oh, I wish—I wish that just for this one day I could have a whole roomful of children to play with.
Dot. I'm afraid Jim and Polly aren't having as nice a Christmas as ours.
Dick [shutting his knife]. So am I. I don't think Friendship Alley's a very nice place to have to live.
Dot. I wish they could have a Christmas like ours. I'd like to give them some things. Anyway, I'd like to show them our presents.
Dick [jumping up]. Let's!
Dot. When?
Dick. Now, right off. And, Dot, don't you know they said they had never seen Santa Claus, either. It's 'most time for him to come. Let's go and bring them over to see him.
Dot. All right. He'll give them something, too.
Dick. We'll hide them so as to surprise everybody.
Dot. Will Papa and Mamma like it?
Dick. Of course they will. Papa always likes our surprises, and Mamma will, I know, because it would make her feel so sorry if she knew there was anybody in the world that wasn't happy on Christmas. She says that's the happiest day in the year, and everybody ought to be happy. So we won't make her sorry by telling her about it. We'll just make them happy too.
Dot. We can have them take off their things in the nursery, and then Jim can wash his face.
[Exeunt. Enter Father, with paper which
he throws on table.
Father. Well, the children seem to have grown tired of their new things already. I don't see what has come over that boy lately. He talks of nothing but big families. I suppose the sight of the five little Blair children across the way is tantalizing, and it certainly is lonely for the two little duds with nobody but grown-ups in the house. Their efforts to be a large party in themselves, to play games, on Thanksgiving day, were really laughable, but they were pathetic, too. If Julia had thought of it, we might have had a little Christmas party for them. It's a good deal of trouble for Santa Claus to climb down a chimney for just two children. [Looks at his watch.] The old gentleman ought to be here in about half an hour. I wonder if it's too late to get some children now? Mr. Blair might lend me his youngsters for an hour or so. It would be such a nice surprise for the children. I could hide them somewhere, and at a given signal have them come out. I'll just step across the way and see.
[Exit Father. Enter Aunt Jennie.
Aunt. What a dreadful state the children have left this room in. That blessed boy! I knew he couldn't wait to try his new knife. His father would insist on giving it to him, though I'm sure it's dangerous. Here are his chips all over the floor, and Dot has had Dolly dressed and undressed a dozen times at least. [Sits down by fire, laughing indulgently.] The way those children have been talking the last few days is a puzzle! I can't think what started them. I never had but one brother myself, and I'm sure I was quite happy. What they want with ten brothers and sisters is beyond me. A dozen children in the house would be more than their father and Julia and I could stand, to say nothing of nurse and John. The two alone can think of quite enough mischief to drive the household crazy. I suppose our having so many friends when we were children made a difference. We never used to be alone at Christmas. After all, on holidays it would be forlorn. Too bad we didn't think of having a party. There are so many children who would think it a treat to come, too, who have no tree or Santa Claus at home. That little girl of Ellen Lee's must be all alone to-day. [Gets up decidedly.] I declare I'll just put on my hat and coat and go around there now and get her. It'll be such a nice surprise for the children.
[Exit in haste. Enter Mother. Takes up
doll, and sits down thoughtfully before the
fire, rearranging doll's dress.
Mother. Dolly, you'd be surprised if you knew how badly I'm feeling! I think I've been a very stupid, unrealizing sort of a mother, not to plan something to make the children have a really merry Christmas, as well as a happy one. It would have been so easy to have a little party of children here. Oh, Dolly, you know all about it better than I do myself, for didn't I just hear Dot confiding in you, and whispering in this little ear under your curls how she wished you were a real live sister to play with her? Now you see how I feel! Don't you see that if she had a hundred dolls, of wax or china or rags, she would still have a stupid Christmas? I haven't a doubt that you mean well, and you do fill a very large corner in a little girl's heart—I haven't got over my fondness for your race yet. [Kisses the doll's curls.] But you certainly are a trifle obstinate about responding to friendly advances. Poor children, it's so easy to give you pleasure! [Lets doll fall in her lap.] I might have had a nice, jolly, little ... well, it's too late now. [Sighs, then looks at her watch.] No! I don't believe it is, after all. I still have time to go for little Jerry Gray and his sister. They are just the ones! The children love surprises so. I'll hurry——
[Exit in haste. Enter Mary and John.
While they talk together they put the room
to rights.
Mary. Well, it do beat all, how thim children can make a room look like so many pigs and chickens had been running through.
John. Thrue for you, an' it does.
Mary. An' what fer need they be wishin' there was tin of thim to mess the house up worse?
John. An' did they do that, thin?
Mary. Sure they did. "Mary," says Dicky to me, "don't you wish that I was five little b'ys and Dot was five little girls? We do, we're so lonesome."
John. An' that's what I heard them sayin' as I was a-carryin' up coal this morning. "I wish I had a whole room full of brothers and sisters," says Dick. Faix! I wish I could give him some of mine, then. I've enough to spare.
Mary. 'Tis sort of lonesome like, now, ain't it, John? [Hands on hips.]
John [hands on hips]. Yes, it is that. I wonder—— Say, Mary, me darlin', them three children of cook's sister's ain't going to have much Christmas. Why can't you and me smuggle them up here to the cupboard on the stairs, and when we comes up to help wid th' tree, we'll just give the word and they'll pop out and say, Merry Christmas. It'll be sort o' cheerful like, and Mistress is that kind-hearted she ain't going to care.
Mary. John, you have the brains of a elephant. I'll go right down and fetch 'em now. [Exit.]
John. Poor children! They shall have some fun, that they shall.
[Re-enter Mary with children.
Mary. Well, would you look at 'em, John? Cook she dressed 'em all up in green ribbons, bless their hearts. Says I, "Sure to-day's not St. Patrick's day." "Well," says she, "what's fittin' one holiday is fittin' the next. It's a good color anyhow. Them's their best clothes." So I never touched 'em. I've told 'em about it, John. Now, just go right up in here, children.
John. And when we say "Broomsticks!" out you bounces and shouts, "Merry Christmas!" Now, Mary, we've redd up, we'll just go below stairs. [Exeunt.]
[Enter Dick and Dot with Jim and Polly.
Dot. We're so glad you came, because we want to show you our things.
Dick. And now you can see Santa Claus.
Jim and Polly. Oh-h-hh! We never saw nothin' like this before.
Dick. And I'm going to put my new necktie on you, because we want to be all dressed up for Santa Claus.
Dot and Dick. We've got on holly because it's Christmas.
Polly. I've got on my clean apron. Will I do?
Dot. 'Course you will; I don't believe Santa Claus cares.
Dick. Here are my soldiers.
Dot. And this is my dolly.
Dick. And just look at my knife.
Dot. Where's my pincushion?
Dick. Oh, see our blackboard. Don't you want to draw on it, Jim?
Jim. I don't know how to draw.
Dick. Oh, make a man; it's very easy to make a man. [Demonstrating.] You just make his stomach and his head, and then put on the arms and legs.
Dot. See our books.
Dick. This is my new history. It's got a picture of Mr. Columbus finding the red Indians.
Dot. Oh, I hear somebody coming. You must hide straight off.
Dick. In the chimney is the best place. Jim, you go on this side and Polly on that. And look out for the fire. Remember when we say "Sleds!" you must come out.
Dot. Now.
[Father puts his head in at the door.
Father. Oh, children, are you there? Don't you think you'd better go and have your hands and faces washed? Santa Claus likes clean faces, you know.
Dick and Dot. Yes, sir, right off. [Exeunt.]
[Enter Father with five little Blairs.
Father. Now, children, quick, run right into the library here, and when I say "Holly!" you must run out and say, "Merry Christmas!"
[Exit Father. Enter Aunt with Sally Lee.
Aunt. Sally, the best place for you to hide is here on the floor behind the blackboard. There, no one can see you. Now, when I say "Evergreen!" you must come out as we planned.
[Exit Aunt. Enter Mother with two little Grays.
Mother. Come right here, dears, behind this curtain. You won't have to wait long. And when I say "Mistletoe!" run out. I'll go and find Dick and Dot.
[Exit.
[Enter Dick and Dot and place two low
chairs by the fireplace. Both put their
heads into the chimney.
Dick and Dot. Are you all right?
Jim. Yes, if we don't have to stay too long.
Polly. It's very nice and warm here.
[Enter Father, Mother, Aunt, and Mary
and John, who stand by the door.
Father. Children, what are you doing? [Children come out confused.]
Mother. Were you looking for Santa Claus?
Aunt. Couldn't you wait for him?
Dick. It's a whole year since we've seen him.
Father. I wonder if he's changed any.
Dot. Oh, I hope not.
Father. We all love Santa Claus, don't we? He makes us think of so many pleasant things. He always reminds me of——
| Father. | Holly! | } | All children [rushing out]: "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!" | |
| Mother. | Mistletoe! | } | ||
| Aunt. | Evergreen! | } | ||
| Dick | } | Sleds! | } | |
| Dot | } | } | ||
| John | } | Broomsticks! | } | |
| Mary | } | } |
Dick and Dot. Hurrah, hurrah! We're going to have a Christmas party, after all!
Father. I never was so surprised in all my life.
Mother. Nor the rest of us, either.
Children. Goody, goody! Santa Claus is coming!
Father. Three cheers for Santa Claus. All together!
All. Rah! Rah! Rah!
Mother. Santa Claus likes to have children quiet sometimes. It's almost time for him to come now. I know he loves music. Suppose we all sit down right where we are and sing. What shall we sing?
Dot. Let's sing——
[All sing a Christmas carol.
Father. Listen, do you hear anything? [Silence.]
Children. No, no!
Father. Well, let's sing something about Santa Claus, and see if that will bring him. [They sing a Santa Claus song.]
[Enter Santa Claus through fireplace. Children
all jump up and gather around him.
Santa Claus. Whew! What a large party! Do you think my pack will hold out for so many?
Children [dancing excitedly]. Yes! Yes!
Dick. Santa Claus, before you begin, I want to ask you a question. Here are Jim and Polly, and they have always wanted to see you, but you never went to their house, nor gave them any presents, and they say they know some more poor people that you never go to see. We thought you went everywhere and gave everybody presents! Why didn't you ever give anything to Jim and Polly? We don't think that's quite fair, Santa Claus!
Santa Claus. I know, and I think I can explain to you. [Recites.]
'Tis true, my child, I can't but say
I have a very curious way
Of bringing presents to girls and boys
Who have least need of pretty toys,
And giving books, and dolls, and rings,
To those who already have such things.
'Tis done for a very curious reason,
Suggested by the Christmas season.
Should I make my gifts to those who need,
'Twould become a time of general greed,
When all would think, "What shall we get?"
"What shall we give?" they would quite forget.
So when I send my gifts to-day,
'Tis a hint "You have plenty to give away."
And then I leave some poor ones out,
That the richer may find, as they look about,
Their opportunities close at hand,
In every corner of the land.
My token to those who in plenty live
Is a gentle reminder, meaning,
GIVE.[11]
Children. Oh, yes, we see, and we'll try to remember.
Santa Claus. That's right. Now, can't we have another song? I like to hear you singing. Let's have....
[Carol, and distribution of presents.[12]