All. Hurrah! He’s going to! he’s going to!
[Jack, with the other boys, brings over the pack and sets it down before Santa Claus, who opens it and begins to feel about in it. He pulls out a new little stool or hassock.]
Santa Claus. Here, Miss Muffet! Here’s your new tuffet. Sit down and see if it fits you. [Miss Muffet sits down between his knees, facing audience. Santa takes out large yellow spider on string, and dangles it down over her head, lowering it slowly until she catches sight of it. She screams, and runs to the far corner of the room.]
Santa Claus. Why, Miss Muffet! I thought you said you wanted a yellow spider!
Miss Muffet. [Coming slowly back.] I was used to a black one. [Takes new spider by the string, gingerly, and sits down on new tuffet at Santa’s feet.]
Santa Claus. Here, Jack, here’s a new pail. And be more careful with it this time. Don’t bang it around downhill so. [Jack takes it, starts to carry it over to Jill, stumbles, and falls flat, flinging pail all across room.]
Santa Claus. There you go again! What’s the use of giving you a new pail? Jill, take care of it for him! [Takes out fresh ribbon.] Here, Bo-Peep, here’s your ribbon. [Bo-Peep takes it, curtseys, and goes back beside Jill, who helps her take off the old ribbon and tie on the new one.]
Santa Claus. Here, Mistress Mary, here’s a new watering-pot for you. Now let me see you smile. [Mistress Mary smiles and curtseys.] Here, Jack Horner. [Giving him a pie.] There are lots of plums in this. But you mustn’t pick them all out first. You must take it just as it comes. Didn’t your mother ever tell you that?
Mother Goose. Of course I’ve told him.