(Motions—1, Clasp hand on breast. 2, hands together, throw them widely apart. 3, boys bow elaborately, girls courtesy. 4, hold out hands, in greeting. 5, clap hands, through two lines. 6, touch breast, with both hands. 7, gesture with right forefinger. 8, throw right hand out, forefinger pointing. 9, point to where tree is to be. 10, bend forward. 11, both hands high, drooping from wrists. 12, point to imaginary articles, making little jabs in air, here and there, as each is mentioned. 13, clasp hands. 14, throw hands widely apart. 15, clap softly. 16, shake forefinger to music. 17, hold arms to designate large pack. 18, hands high, bring down together. 19, hand to ear, listening. 20, beat time, with right foot. 21, clasp hands. 22, gesture with right hand.
Hiram sings from where Aunt Hepsy is dressing him, and Patty and Faith step inside door and sing, then pop back into entry. Patty may be partly dressed, and Fay partly undressed.)
Aunt Hepsy—(clapping) Brayvo, children, brayvo! Where ever did you find sech a proprate song as that, Miss Peppergrass? (Miss P. simpers) You never writ it your own self, did you? Wal, I guess that’ll take the wind outen Hanner Ann Jenkinses sails. I allers thought a heap o’ po’try, myself, but I s’posed it took a lot o’ brains to write it. Did it take you days ’n days? And what was all the flumadoodles with their hands for?
Miss P.—Why, motion songs are very popular in the cities, I’ve heard, so I thought we would give some at our entertainment.
Aunt Hepsy—Yes, indeedy! Punkin Holler allers did pride itself on keepin’ right up to date. We’re no hayseeders in this commoonerty.
Miss P.—Don’t you think the motions were very graceful?
Aunt Hepsy—I haint a doubt they was, Miss Peppergrass, not a mite o’ doubt; but I was so flabbergasted at hearin’ them ere new words sung to thet old tune and so dumfounded at seein’ all them young ’uns a wavin’ their paws, wild like, in the air, thet I never once noticed if it war graceful. It sure was, though, an’ that’s a fact.
Miss P.—Next will be a recitation by Lucinda Lowe. An old poem, with new variations. (Lucinda advances, bows very low, and recites. She announces the name of her piece, as do all, in the old-fashioned way.)
MARY’S LAMB AT CHRISTMAS.
Mary had a little lamb