Hans (to Gretchen): Think of a Christmas Eve without a tree or St. Nicholas or gifts!
Irish child: But we have the yule log and the story-telling, and we dance and sing.
Hans: Was that one of your Christmas songs you were singing as you came in?
Irish child: Yes, every one sings that song at Christmas time.
Hans: Won’t you sing the rest of it for us?
(Child finishes the song.)
At Christmas time in Ireland,
How the holly branches twine,
In stately hall and cabin old and gray!
And red among the leaves
The holly berries twine—
At Christmas time in Ireland far away!
(Just as she finishes the song, the American child runs in. They all rise to greet her.)
American child: I’m late because I had so far to come. The fairy carried me high over the seas from America.
Hans: America! I’m so glad you have come! I wondered what the American children were doing to-night.