Jack. [Seating himself.] Oh, Mother Goose, you are the best cook at the Pole. Oh, how good and cold everything tastes. But where is Santa? I thought he was too busy to leave home to-day.
Mother Goose. He went out a little while ago to see if there were any messages at the Wireless Station. He thinks he has at last got the wireless line in working order. It runs from the Pole now to every school yard in the country, you know. He expects great fun in hearing the children of the world planning for their Christmas trees and stockings. There will be no more mistakes in presents now, for every boy and girl will get just what Santa hears him or her wishing for.
Jennie. [Looking out.] Why, here comes dear old Santa now, and he looks quite sad. I wonder if the wireless line is out of order after all the trouble he has had trying to get connections made.
Santa. [Enters and flings himself in easy-chair.] Well, Mother Goose and Jennie, you can put away your needles, and Jack, just turn the reindeer loose again. There will be no Christmas gifts for anybody this year, nor any other year.
All. No Christmas gifts! Never again any Christmas gifts!
Santa. That’s what I said. Never again any Christmas gifts! Santa Claus will never be seen away from the North Pole again!
Mother Goose. Why, Santa, you might as well say there will be no more skating or coasting. Winter without Santa Claus and Christmas is unbelievable. I can’t bear to think of your never again carrying Christmas gifts to the children. How can you think of stopping that custom?
Santa Claus. I feel just as bad as you do about stopping my annual visit and my gifts. Ever since I can remember I’ve been distributing gifts to children at Christmas time; and until an hour ago I expected to keep it up always, but now Santa Claus and his Christmas rounds are at an end forever!
Mother Goose. But what has happened, Santa, to put this into your mind? Have you had a fall on the ice and do you feel a little dazed?
Jennie. This is one of your jokes, Santa.