Wishing Man (after a pause, drawls). Well?
Dumpling and Tootsy (frightened, down R.). Well? (They look at each other, pause, then repeat.) Well!
Snookums (comes in front of them, stands facing the Wishing Man, arms akimbo). Well?
Wishing Man. Well, I'm here.
Dumpling. Who's here?
Wishing Man. Why, I am here. You said you would like to see me and so I have come. I'm here.
Tootsy. Are you the Wishing Man?
Wishing Man. That's my name. (Sings to the tune of "Wearing of the Green." He sings briskly, shaking head in time and dancing a step or two.)
I'm the friend of all the children,
And I'll help you if I can,
Just tell me what your wishes are,
For I'm the Wishing Man.
I have wishbones on my fingers,
I have myst'ry in my eyes,
My clothes are trimmed with horseshoes,
And they're stained with magic dyes.
My pocket's full of rabbits' feet,
And clover leaves and charms,
For luck I've got a big black cat
All tattooed on my arms,
I'm a friend of all the children,
And I'll help you if I can,
So tell me what your wishes are—
For I'm the Wishing Man.
I come from a distant country
Away up near the pole,
But the things that I am telling you,
You mustn't tell a soul.
I know every witch and goblin,
And if you would believe!
I have fortunes in my pocket-book,
And wonders up my sleeve.
When any little boy or girl
Says, "Wishing Man, appear!"
I jump right up from underneath,
And here I am, my dear!
I'm a friend of all the children,
And I'll help you if I can,
So tell me what your wishes are—
For I'm the Wishing Man.
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Dumpling. And can you really grant us anything we wish for?