USHERS (announcing). Mr. Robinson Crusoe! (He comes in.)
FATHER CHRISTMAS. How do you do?
CRUSOE (bowing). I'm a little late, I'm afraid, sir. My raft was delayed by adverse gales.
(FATHER CHRISTMAS introduces him to the HUBBARDS, who inform him that the weather is very seasonable.)
USHERS. Miss Riding Hood! (She comes in.)
FATHER CHRISTMAS. How do you do?
RIDING HOOD (curtseying). I hope I am in time, sir. I had to look in on my grandmother on the way here.
(FATHER CHRISTMAS makes the necessary introductions.)
MRS. HUBBARD (to CRUSOE). Do come and see me, Mr. Crusoe. Any Friday. I should like your advice about my parrot. He's moulting in all the wrong places.
MR. HUBBARD (to RED RIDING HOOD). I don't know if you're interested in wolves at all, Miss Hood. I heard a very good story about one the other day. (He begins to tell it, but she has hurried away before he can remember whether it was Thursday or Friday.)