LeB. [taken aback, turns away and walks down stage]. Well—this turn of affairs looks rather more like my sock than Laura's stocking! [Turns to her again.] But what about Alphonse?
M.-M. [with concentrated scorn]. Dat French nigger! Why—— [very rapidly] he cain't eben mek a fiah!
[There is a rush from the door. Enter the
children, followed by Laura. The children
throw themselves upon LeBreton
with enthusiastic shouts.
Children. Christmas gift, Uncle! Christmas gift!
Philip. We caught you, we caught you!
Laura. Merry Christmas, Henri!
LeB. I've no breath left to say Merry Christmas, you young bears! [Shakes them off, laughing.] Unhand me, villains! I want to tell you something. There is somebody else here. Minty-Malviny, this is my sister, Mrs. Courvoisier [Minty-Malviny courtesies to them all, with little bobs of her head], and these are my nieces, Miss Louise and Miss Annette. And here is my nephew, Master Philip Courvoisier. [Sits down, with Philip on his knee.] Children, when you go home, Minty-Malviny is going with you, to look after you, and play games, and tell stories.
Philip. Can she tell stories? Oh, goody!
Louise [aside]. Oh, Mother, how ragged she is!
Annette. Goody! I like stories, too!