Both—And Aaron8 and Moses will stay as they be,
And come9 hand in hand, to this fine10 Christmas tree.11
(Motions—1, hit nose with forefinger, with downward stroke. 2, smooth nose, and down on cheeks with both forefingers, holding head up, rather haughtily. 3, cross forefingers, work them back and forth, like shears. 4, take tips of ears between thumbs and forefingers. 5, wipe first one eye, then the other, with corner of handkerchief. 6, clap hands together. 7, nod. 8, join hands. 9, walk to corner where tree is to stand. 10, spread hands apart, motioning toward corner, and looking up. 11, stand a moment in position. 10, then turn and bow, hands still apart. 11, join hands, march to front, bow, and take seats.)
Miss P.—Well, of all the poems I ever heard!
Miriam—Yes, warn’t it a nice one, teacher? Hanner Ann Jenkins is goin’ to hang ’em each a present for speakin’ it, ’n ma’s goin’ to hang one for Hanner Ann for writin’ it. She wouldn’t take a cent, ’n it took her three hours. It’s wuth ten cents an hour, ma says, ’n that there present’s goin’ to be wuth every bit of thutty cents.
Miss P.—But—
Aunt Hepsey—Least said soonest mended, child. Best keep still, and go on with the programmy.
Miss P.—Music by the orchestra. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night.” (Peter, Jacob, Rhoda, Miriam, Betsey, and Sammy come out.) (Sammy has a drum, Peter “bones” or “clappers,” Jacob a jewsharp, or harmonica if he can play the tune on it, Rhoda has a triangle, and Miriam and Betsey have paper covered combs.)
Hiram—(from doorway) Shell I come, teacher? I’m all rigged out in these doodads.
Miss P.—Yes, come and take your part. Santa Claus has a right to whistle at a Christmas entertainment.