Julia. My job is done. How about you, Isabel, is that dress pressed out yet? Oh, how I would like to see you in a dress like that. Do put it on, Isabel, do now, just for fun.
Isabel. What if Jerusha should wake up and catch me with her dress on? She would be awfully angry. No—no, I can’t do it.
Hazel. Oh, do put it on, Isabel, and the bonnet, too. We will be as quiet as mice, and Jerusha won’t know a thing about it. Come, we will help you with it.
Isabel. Well, if you all keep very quiet, I will see how it fits me. (Puts on the dress and bonnet.)
Julia. Oh, what a picture you are, Isabel. Just turn around so we can see you. How sweet you look. Great grandmother, Isabel. (All laugh and have a good time as Isabel walks around the room. Finally some one knocks the broom over on Jerusha, who wakes up with a start.)
Jerusha. Mercy me, what does this mean? Where did you all come from? Who are you all? Oh, I know you, Hazel! You who called me a cranky old maid! (Grabs the broom to threaten Hazel.)
Hazel (very much frightened). Now don’t use your broom on me, Jerusha. Please don’t. You had it all fixed up for a Christmas tree, and had presents on it for each of us, and now will you use it to drive us out of the house.
Jessie (soothingly to Jerusha, placing hand on her shoulder). Dear Jerusha, let me explain it all to you. You see we girls came here to spend the afternoon with you, and we knocked and knocked at the door, and as you did not answer, we thought that you were sick in bed. So we came right in and found you asleep, and you looked so tired we thought that we would let you sleep on, while we fixed up the things you had laid out for repairs. Now please don’t be angry with us, dear.
Jerusha (spies Isabel in the corner with her dress and bonnet on). Isabel, what are you doing with my dress on? And I declare, but you have my bonnet, too!
Isabel (timidly). Oh, Jerusha, after we got them all fixed up, we thought we would like to see how they would look. (Admiringly.) Really, dear Jerusha, this is a beautiful dress. You don’t see any like it nowadays, do you, girls? No Jerusha, we meant no offence, so you’ll excuse us, won’t you?