Mother. Softly, children! [To Nurse.] Maggie, they will never go to sleep if they are so excited! [To children.] Sit down here a little while and sing some of your Christmas songs before you go to bed.
Kitty. Oh, no, Mamma, let Rosebud sing her song for us, and we'll be quiet.
Mother. Very well, dear.
Ted. Let her stand on the table, so everybody can hear. Come, Rosy! [Ted and Kitty help her up. Father stands by fire, Marjorie with her arm about Mother, Nurse in door, Kitty sits on a corner of the table, Robin in a chair, Ted leaning over the back of it. Rose sings, "In another land and time." (From "Songs for Little Children.")[15] When the song is ended, Mother comes forward, kisses Rose, and lifts her down.]
Mother. Now, Maggie, take her to bed. [Nurse leads her out.]
Father. Yes, it's high time you all went. Good-night, all of you!
Children. Good-night, Papa! Good-night, Mamma!
Robin [runs to fireplace, and bends over, shouting]. Good-night, Santa Claus!
Father. Now, scamper, every one of you! [Chases them out, Mother follows. Stage darkened somewhat. Enter the Brownie suddenly, through fireplace. Stands (Center) for a moment, finger on lips, then rushes to door, peeps out, comes back, looks under table, and then, as if satisfied, goes to stockings, and stands examining them, feet wide apart, and hands on hips. Comes to Father's, measures it with his hands, then lifts it by the toe, and points to it, grinning. Doubles up with laughter. Suddenly puts his hand to his ear, and bends over, listening. Rushes to door, runs back, and vanishes in chimney. Enter Ted.]
Ted [softly]. I just can't go to bed yet. Robin went to sleep the very minute he got into bed. Don't see how he could. Maggie thinks I'm all nicely tucked in, and she's gone downstairs. [Goes to fireplace and looks up chimney.] I do wish I could catch Santa Claus. No signs of him yet, and I don't hear the sleigh-bells. I think I'll just sit down and wait. [Crosses to his own chair, and sits facing audience, with one elbow on table.] I believe I could give Santa Claus a few pointers, anyway. [Brownie puts his head out of fireplace, and then shows himself entirely, gradually creeping nearer and nearer Ted, as if irresistibly drawn by his remarks.] He does give people pretty much what they ask for, but [slowly] if he just stopped a minute to think about it, he'd find out what silly things they do think they want, sometimes. But [sighs] he's getting so old that he doesn't find it out at all. [Brownie, behind him, raises his hands in horror, then shakes his fist at Ted.] I really think it would be a good thing for Santa Claus to choose one person in each family to help him out,—with the planning, anyway, if he doesn't like to have anyone else fill the stockings. S'posing he chose me! I could help him a lot! [Brownie springs excitedly on the table, and bends over Ted, shaking his fist in his face.]