ACT II.
SCENE.—Same as before, but larger box in place of the one left at the rear of the stage.
(Enter Carol, Avis, Frank, Roy, and Brownies. The children examine the box, being careful not to lift the lid; the Brownies come forward.)
Reallywish. I really wish I knew why we haven’t found the key.
Justnow. Perhaps just now we’ll find it, if we’re good as good can be.
I Can. We won’t give up and say it can’t be done; I know it can.
I Will. And we’ll conquer Dismal Dumps and the Bugaboo Man!
All. Yes, we’ll conquer Dismal Dumps and the Bugaboo Man!
(Enter Old Woman with basket. Stumbles and drops basket, scattering wares.)
Old Woman. Oh, dear, dear! I didn’t see that stone!
Avis (running up to her). Did you hurt yourself? You didn’t quite fall, did you?
Old Woman (beginning to pick up wares). No, but just look at my spools of thread, and buttons, and all my whole basketful of things—scattered all over the ground.
Carol. Too bad! Never mind, we’ll pick them up for you. (To Roy.) She looks tired. (To Old Woman.) Suppose you sit down on this rock and rest, and we’ll —— (Old Woman sits down.)
Roy. Yes, we’ll have them all picked up in a jiffy.
(The Brownies, Roy, and Carol pick up the various articles, while Frank and Avis put them into the basket and arrange them.)
Old Woman. Bless your kind little hearts! There, now they’re all right again, and I must be going. I’m quite a bit rested, too. Thank you, thank you. (Rises, and starts to go.)
Roy (hastening after her with the key). Wait, wait! here’s your key!
Old Woman. Key, is it? But it’s not mine. I picked it up not long ago at this very spot. No telling who dropped it; one can only guess.
Carol (eagerly). Perhaps that’s Dorothy’s key! (The children and Brownies crowd around to look.)
Old Woman (indifferently). Well, keep it and ask Dorothy, whoever she may be. I don’t know anything about it. Only persons in sight when I picked it up were an old curmudgeon dressed in gray,—the crossest-looking fellow you ever set eyes on,—and a queer-looking man with him dressed in red, for all the world like a circus clown. I couldn’t catch up with them, they were going so fast.
Avis (clapping her hands). It is, it is!
Roy. Hurrah!
Frank. Whoop! (The Brownies express their delight in the most fantastic capers yet. The Old Woman sets down the basket, looking interested.)
Carol. Hark! the Bells of Bonnydingle! (Ringing of bells, while all listen.)
(Enter Dismal Dumps and Bugaboo Man, talking excitedly. Bells stop ringing.)
Dismal Dumps (to Bugaboo Man). It was all your fault!
Bugaboo Man (fiercely). Don’t you dare to say it was my fault! I didn’t lose the key. You dropped it yourself!
Dismal Dumps. You made me drop it, anyhow. And now did you hear those bells? That means the key is found, and we’re done for if we can’t get it again. (Seeing the children.) Quick, Bugaboo, here’s the key. Make ’em give it up! (Bugaboo Man starts towards the children, who retreat slowly.)
Old Woman (to Bugaboo Man, stepping between him and the children). It’s my opinion you’re a thief, sir! you and the gentleman in gray, there; and you won’t get that key again, I can tell you!
Bugaboo Man and Dismal Dumps (together, advancing nearer). Won’t we?
Old Woman (taking off sunbonnet, and flapping it vigorously at Dismal Dumps). Shoo! Shoo! (Dismal Dumps retreats hastily. Bugaboo Man advances towards the group. Old Woman still more vigorously, flapping at Bugaboo Man.) Scat! (Bugaboo Man runs backward so fast he almost tumbles down. Dismal Dumps and Bugaboo Man consult, at a safe distance. The children come forward a little.)
Carol. O, I wish Dorothy would come!
All the rest. So do I!
Reallywish. Why, we’re forgetting what the Queen of the Cosey Corner told us. If we really wish Dorothy would come, why don’t we bring her?
Justnow. Why, of course. Let’s call her back just now!
(Bells begin ringing joyfully again. Dismal Dumps and Bugaboo Man turn first one way, then the other, confused, and place their hands over their ears as if they could not bear the sound. Bells continue ringing very softly, while the children and Brownies sing; tune, “Bring Back My Bonny.”)
Our playmate is far o’er the prairies,
But never a heart was more true;
She’ll come on the wings of the morning,
O Dorothy, welcome to you!
West Wind, West Wind,
Bring back our bonny, to-day, to-day,
West Wind, West Wind,
Bring back our bonny, to-day.
(Bells still ring, as softly as possible. The children listen. Instrumental music behind scenes, very soft at first, but gradually growing louder,—“Home, Sweet Home.” Enter the taller Dorothy, and West Wind. Children rush to meet Dorothy, holding up the key. The music stops, but bells still ring, while Dorothy takes the key, goes to the box, and unlocks it, followed gleefully by Brownies. Sunshine Fairies emerge from the box, assisted, if necessary, by West Wind, the Old Woman, and Dorothy. The fairies skip about delightedly; then, seeing Dismal Dumps and the Bugaboo Man, start to chase them both. Dismal Dumps and Bugaboo Man run around in evident terror, trying to escape. At last both jump into the box. Brownies instantly slam down the lid, and sit on it. Bells ring out more loudly for a minute or two, then subside as music begins. Chorus of Brownies, children, and Sunshine Fairies, all but Brownies dancing around Dorothy and West Wind; tune, “Marching through Georgia.”)
Welcome home, our playmate dear, this happy festal day!
O, kind the West Wind’s care of you while you were far away.
But now we have you with us, and we hope you’ve come to stay,
For Sunshine rules Bonnydingle!
Hurrah! hurrah! the merry bells do ring,
Hurrah! hurrah! our voices gladly sing;
Nevermore shall frowns and tears their sorrow to you bring
For Sunshine rules Bonnydingle!
(Bells ring loudly again during the refrain, which is repeated. Throughout the song, Brownies wave caps, arms, and feet as enthusiastically as possible, without leaving their post on the Sunshine-Box.)
(Enter Queen from her Cosey Corner. Bells and music cease.)
Queen (kissing Dorothy). Welcome home, Dorothy dear! How you have grown! So our plan was a success. But suppose we listen to Fairy Bright-Thought again. She has still another message for us. (All are quiet. Soft music for two or three minutes. Enter Fairy Bright-Thought, who whispers in the ear of the Queen, as before. Music stops.) My chief counsellor advises a strange thing. She says, “Open the box.” Will you do it?
(The Brownies get down from their perch, looking puzzled. The children slowly approach the box.)
Roy. But won’t the Bugaboo Man——
Avis. And won’t Dismal Dumps——
Dorothy. Never fear. What harm can they do us now? Poor old Bugaboo Man and poor old Dismal Dumps! I’m sorry for them. It was when I was little that I was so afraid of them. Besides, as we all know, whatever advice comes from the Cosey Corner must be safe to follow. Come, I’m going to open the box!
(Frank and Carol help her to raise the lid. Out come Dismal Dumps and the Bugaboo Man, but completely transformed, in new and glittering costumes, and with smiling faces. Both come forward.)
Dismal Dumps. I found, when I once got into the Sunshine Box, that I couldn’t be dismal any longer!
Bugaboo Man. And I found that it isn’t half so much fun to frighten children as it is to amuse them!
Both. So we are both going to be sunshine people ourselves, like all good Juniors.
Dorothy (shaking hands with them). I’m so glad! Now we’ll all be happy ever after.
(Bells begin ringing again. Music. March of all the characters, and final tableau.)
CURTAIN.