_Childhood:_ I have to do very funny things, because I am Childhood, you know. (She dances backward and forward across the room, with merry step; pirouettes and points finger into audience.) Some one out there must laugh, or the Jesters will not think we are merry. Laugh, someone, laugh! Harder! I am Childhood! Laugh with me! (As she speaks some one in the audience laughs; others join.)
_Childhood_ (runs to door):
Jester big, jester small,
Come at Childhood's merry call!
(Jesters enter--stand near door.)
_Chorus:_ Welcome--welcome!
_Childhood_ (to Jesters): Go--find and bring us the biggest Christmas stocking in the world! It must be filled with fairy gifts! (Jesters hurry out.)
_Goodwill:_ How will we know which gifts to give each person?
_Childhood:_ Oh, I will look in my Book of the Past! You see I have to keep careful records of everybody!
_Spirit:_ Why it's just like Santa Claus used to do when the old-fashioned children believed in him! _Happyheart:_ He was a fine man!
_Spirit:_ Ah, here they come!