Jim. I'll tell you what. Let's try singing. Perhaps that's just as warming. Let's sing Granny's Christmas song. [They sing a verse of "God rest ye, merry gentlemen," or some other old-world carol.]
Polly. Jim, is to-morrow Christmas?
Jim [gloomily]. Yes, to-morrow's Christmas. [Aside.] And if somebody don't buy these papers pretty soon, I won't have enough pennies to get [counts on his fingers] that penny paper doll; nor the penny washtub, nor the jumping Jack, nor the paint box, 'cause that's three cents. [Enter man.] Here's your evenin' paper, sir! [Man stops and takes one. Exit.]
[Enter Dick and Dot, cross stage, and sit
down as before.
Dot. Wasn't that a nice coast, Dick?
Dick [absently]. Yes. [Rests his chin in his hands and elbows on his knees.] Dot, I do wish we lived in an orphan asylum.
Dot [jumps]. Oh-h! Why, Dicky Browne, you wouldn't have any papa nor mamma nor Aunt Jennie, nor anybody, nor anybody.
Dick. But just think what lots of brothers and sisters we'd have.
Dot. Well, you're all the brothers I want; 'nd I wouldn't give up Papa and Mamma for all the sisters in the world; so now.
Dick. Well, neither would I, but can't you see how much nicer times we would have if there was a lot of us, on holidays especially?