Mrs. Skaggs—Now, Billy, you set right where you be an’ stop your fussin’.
Billy (boo-hooing out loud)—I—want—to set—by—maw.
Mrs. Skaggs—Wal, lan’ sakes, teacher, I spose he’ll cry himself sick ef he can’t set by me. Can he come set here? He’s an awful hand fer his maw, Billy is (the children giggle).
Teacher (taking Billy by hand and leading him)—Yes, he may sit up here (she fixes a chair beside his mother for Billy). Now, children dear, we will sing our nice welcome song (she beats time with long ruler, Mr. Judd beats time with his hand and keeps time with his head; the two visitors beat time with foot. The children sing with a great deal of spirit).
Tune: Just Before the Battle, Mother
Welcome, welcome, Merry Christmas,
Joyfully we welcome you;
Welcome, welcome, Merry Christmas,
With a welcome glad and true;
Welcome, welcome, Merry Christmas,