(All sing the first verse and chorus of "Follow Me, Full of Glee," accompanied by the children in the audience. At the end all dance off the stage at R.)
(All sing the first verse and chorus of "Follow Me, Full of Glee," accompanied by the children in the audience. At the end all dance off the stage at R.)
Scene:The Wishing Land. Green or dark colored curtains at rear and at sides. Use all the large palms and potted trees available. A trumpet vine is attached to curtains at the rear. This is made of branches pinned on curtain to simulate a vine. Several tin trumpets are tied to the branches and many trumpets of various sizes made of paper. These stick out of the vines like blossoms.Fig. 1At rear right is a large tree with buds made of tissue paper and toy drums showing in the buds. See diagram. The leaves forming these buds shouldbe pointed oval in shape and vary in size as they represent buds or open flowers. The drums hang down from the branches and the petals, when open, hang open and partly cover them. Another tree stands at rear L. This is hung with candy or bits of colored paper simulating candy. Candy canes are on this tree andJim Dandyis sleeping at bottom of tree.At R. about half-way back are branches arranged to look as if growing, and about three feet high, hung with balls of various sizes and colors.At L. about half-way back are three little girls dressed as French dolls. They stand in a row facing the audience. At either end of the row is a frame to support the cheesecloth curtain that hides them from the audience. They must stand stiffly with arms held out straight in front of them.At L. front are several rows of flower pots or boxes containing growing plants with dolls fastened among the leaves. These are branches about eighteen inches high, with green paper buds partly enveloping the dolls.At R. front is a large square box (a pasteboard cracker box or breakfast food box covered with red tissue paper will answer) in which isKa-zin-skiconcealed by the lid.At R. half-way back just in front of the ball-trees stand three little boys dressed as toy soldiers. They stand erect and do not move.Curtain rises to mysterious music played by piano. This continues some little time until the audience "takes in" the scene.After a pause, enter theWishing Man,followed by the threeBig Children.
Scene:The Wishing Land. Green or dark colored curtains at rear and at sides. Use all the large palms and potted trees available. A trumpet vine is attached to curtains at the rear. This is made of branches pinned on curtain to simulate a vine. Several tin trumpets are tied to the branches and many trumpets of various sizes made of paper. These stick out of the vines like blossoms.Fig. 1
At rear right is a large tree with buds made of tissue paper and toy drums showing in the buds. See diagram. The leaves forming these buds shouldbe pointed oval in shape and vary in size as they represent buds or open flowers. The drums hang down from the branches and the petals, when open, hang open and partly cover them. Another tree stands at rear L. This is hung with candy or bits of colored paper simulating candy. Candy canes are on this tree andJim Dandyis sleeping at bottom of tree.
At R. about half-way back are branches arranged to look as if growing, and about three feet high, hung with balls of various sizes and colors.
At L. about half-way back are three little girls dressed as French dolls. They stand in a row facing the audience. At either end of the row is a frame to support the cheesecloth curtain that hides them from the audience. They must stand stiffly with arms held out straight in front of them.
At L. front are several rows of flower pots or boxes containing growing plants with dolls fastened among the leaves. These are branches about eighteen inches high, with green paper buds partly enveloping the dolls.
At R. front is a large square box (a pasteboard cracker box or breakfast food box covered with red tissue paper will answer) in which isKa-zin-skiconcealed by the lid.
At R. half-way back just in front of the ball-trees stand three little boys dressed as toy soldiers. They stand erect and do not move.
Curtain rises to mysterious music played by piano. This continues some little time until the audience "takes in" the scene.
After a pause, enter theWishing Man,followed by the threeBig Children.
Wishing Man.Well, here we are in the Wishing Land. My kingdom and not a soul to welcome me!
Big D.Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful place.
Big S.See 'ittie bitsy teeny weeny trumpets gwowing in twees.
Big T.And the dolls. The lovely, lovely dolls.
Wishing Man(clapping his hands). What, ho! Is there none to welcome me?
EnterTeddy Bearfrom L.
Teddy Bear(comes toWishing Manand bows low).
Big D.Oh, see the Teddy Bear.
Big T.And he's the biggest one I ever saw.
Big S.Nice pussy, nice, nice pussy! (StrokesTeddy Bear.)
Teddy Bear(growls).
Big S.(much frightened). Oh, naughty, naughty, naughty!
Wishing Man.Hello, Teddy Bear. Where's your brother?
Teddy Bear(shakes head as if he does not know).
Wishing Man.Go out and find him for me. Have you been a very, very good Teddy Bear while I was away?
Teddy Bear(nods his head).
Wishing Man.That's good. Now go out and find Jimmy Bear.
Teddy Bear(nods head and ambles out at R.).
Wishing Man(looking around). Everything is growing fine. I think the bicycle trees need a little more water. Well, children, what do you think of the Wishing Land?
Big D.It's awfully pretty.
Big T.It's perfectly gorgeous.
Big S.Wunnerful, simply wunnerful.
Wishing Man.Here's where I grow my toys. See, there is the trumpet vine, and the candy tree and the dolly flowers. Whenever a little child makes a wish for anything like that, all I have to do is to come in here and pick a toy. See?
Big D.Oh, lookee at the tin soldiers. They're awful big. Can I have one, Mr. Wishing Man?
Wishing Man.I don't think they're quite ripe yet.
Big S.Me want a twumpet. Want a nice, big twumpet to blow.
Wishing Man(picks a trumpet). There you are, my little man.
Big T.I want one, too. A nice loud one.
Wishing Man(picks one). And there's one for you, Tootsy.
Big D.Believe I'll take a drum.
Wishing Man(picks a drum). There you are. Right off the tree.
Big D.Now we'll have a parade. (They march around stage playing trumpets and drums.)
Wishing Man.Here, here, wait a minute. You're making enough noise to wake the dead. Hold on, there. Quiet, quiet!
Big T.Oh, dear! Just as we were having such a lovely time.
Big S.Oh, whee! See the funny box. (Goes toKa-zin-ski'sbox.) What is in it, Mr. Wishing Man?
Wishing Man.You'd better let it alone. That's Ka-zin-ski, and Ka-zin-ski doesn't like babies.
Big S.But I wish to see him.
Wishing Man.Is it a wish?
Big S.Yes, sir; it's a wish.
Wishing Man.Then pull the string.
(Big S.leans over the box, pulls a spring, the lid flies up andKa-zin-skipops out almost in the baby's face.Big S.screams and falls flat down on the stage.)
(Big S.leans over the box, pulls a spring, the lid flies up andKa-zin-skipops out almost in the baby's face.Big S.screams and falls flat down on the stage.)
Big S.Oh, whee! Take him away! I'm fwightened, I am. Vill he come after me?
Wishing Man.No, no. Get up, 'ittie Snookie Ookums, he won't hurt you.
Big D.Say, Mr. Wishing Man?
Wishing Man.What is it, my little boy?
Big D.Can we have anything we wish for here in the Wishing Land?
Wishing Man.Of course you can. That's what the Wishing Land is for.
Big D.Then I wish I was a little boy again. I'm too big to enjoy myself.
Big T.And I wish I was a little girl again. Everybody laughs at me, 'cause I'm so big.
Big S.And I wish I was a 'ittie, teeny, weeny baby again. Being so big fwightens me so.
Wishing Man.Oh, ho! So you all want to be little again?
The Three.Yes, sir, if you please.
Big T.Why, I'm so big that I can't get all of me into bed. I'll have to let my feet hang outside.
Big S.And if I get in my baby buggy, I'll bweak it all down.
Big D.And my mamma won't recognize me at all, 'cause I'm grown so big.
Wishing Man.That's all very well, but it will be quite a job to make you all little again. It willtake three magic fern seeds, and I don't think I have any ripe yet.
(Music, a march.Teddy Beardances in in time to the music. He goes up to theWishing Man,pulls his head down and whispers something in his ear. Then hands him a little box.)
(Music, a march.Teddy Beardances in in time to the music. He goes up to theWishing Man,pulls his head down and whispers something in his ear. Then hands him a little box.)
Big D.Oh, what is it, Mr. Wishing Man? Is it the fern seed?
Wishing Man(looks in the little pill box). Yes, but it's only one fern seed. Only one of you can be made little again.
Big D.Give it to my sister, Tootsy. She's a girl.
Big T.No, give it to Dumpling. He's the oldest.
Wishing Man.I think I'll give it to 'ittie Snookie Ookums. Here, Snookums, take that little seed and go down by the pump and get a drink of water. Put the seed in the water and swallow it and you'll be the original 'ittie Snookums again.
Big S.Oh, goody, goody, goody! (Takes box and skips out at R.)
(Music again, a march.Jimmy Beardances in, whispers to theWishing Manand gives him a pill box.)
(Music again, a march.Jimmy Beardances in, whispers to theWishing Manand gives him a pill box.)
Wishing Man.Here's another fern seed. Ladies first, Dumpling. I'll give it to Tootsy.
Big T.Oh, you dear, good Wishing Man. I'll give you a nice hug and kiss for that. (Does so, takes box, skips out at R.)
(Music again. EnterBaby Jumbo,dancing in time to the music.Wishing Manbends down and whispers to the elephant.Jumboraises one foot, a front one, and gives him a pill box.)
(Music again. EnterBaby Jumbo,dancing in time to the music.Wishing Manbends down and whispers to the elephant.Jumboraises one foot, a front one, and gives him a pill box.)
Wishing Man.And here's the third magicalfern seed. Here you are, Master Dumpling. Hurry along and grow little again.
Big D.Oh, thank you, sir. (Takes box and skips out at R.)
Jumboand theTwo Bearsdance out at L. in time to the music.
Wishing Man(goes to the doll bushes). The dolly plants don't seem to be doing very well. (Picks a doll.) Here's a ripe one. I'm going to give that to (insert some little girl's name) for a Christmas present. And here's another for ——. I wonder how my big French dolls are doing. They're dreadfully hard to raise. They require so much attention. I have to keep them under cover to protect them from the sun. The wax melts so easily and the pretty red cheeks are apt to run down over their pretty French dresses. (Removes cover.) How nice they look. There's Annette, Olivette and Babette. Three as pretty little French ladies as ever came out of Paris. I think they're just about ready to pick. They're such pretty dollies that I think I'll give them to little boys instead of little girls. I'll give Annette to (insert little boy's name) and I'll give Olivette to ——, and little Babette I'll give to ——. My, my, I was forgetting all about the children and the mysterious fern seed. I wonder if it has changed them back into real little children again. (Looks out at R.) Yes, here they come.
Enter from R.Dumpling,TootsyandSnookums.
Dumpling.Oh, thank you, Mr. Wishing Man. I feel ever so much better now.
Tootsy.Yes, indeed. My clothes are a perfect fit and nobody will laugh at me now.
Snookums.I feel perfectly fan-tas-a-ma-gor-ious.
Tootsy.Oh, see the pretty French dollies. I wish they would talk to me.
Wishing Man.If that's your wish, they can.
Tootsy(pressesAnnette). Can you talk?
Annette(imitates talking doll). Pa-pa, pa-pa, pa-pa!
Tootsy(pressesOlivette). And what can you say?
Olivette.Ma-ma, ma-ma, ma-ma!
Snookums(pressesBabette). Go on and talk to me.
Babette.Mer-ry Christ-mas! Mer-ry Christ-mas!
Tootsy.I wish you could wind them up so they could walk around and play with us.
Wishing Man.Is that your wish?
Tootsy.Oh, yes. Do you think you can do it?
Wishing Man.I can try. (Takes large clock key and winds each doll. The sound of winding should be imitated by a rattle behind the scenes.)
Annette.Pa-pa, pa-pa, pa-pa! (Walks forward without bending knees.)
Dumpling.Here, stop her. She'll fall down. (Grabs her.) Here, turn around. Walk this way. (Walks with her.)
Olivette.Ma-ma, ma-ma, ma-ma; (Starts to walk.)
Tootsy(catches her). Oh, I think you are a darling. (Walks with her.)
Babette.Mer-ry Christ-mas! Mer-ry Christmas. (Starts to walk.)
Wishing Man.Here, wait for me. (Takes her arm and they walk together.)
Dumpling.Wind up the soldiers. Then each dolly can have a partner.
Wishing Man.Just a minute. (Winds up the soldiers.)
(The dolls continue walking around with jerky steps.)
Private Black(asBabettepasses him). Allow me. (Offers her his arm.)
Private Jack(asAnnettepasses him). Allow me. (They promenade.)
Private Mack(asOlivettepasses him). Allow me. (They promenade.)
Tootsy(very much excited, runs toWishing Man.) Oh, I wish they were all alive.
Wishing Man.You do? Is that your wish? (She nods.) Then I'll make them all alive.
(The dolls and soldiers twirl around and chatter merrily in pantomime. Their actions from now on are as natural as possible.)
(The dolls and soldiers twirl around and chatter merrily in pantomime. Their actions from now on are as natural as possible.)
Snookums(suddenly sees the candy tree). Oh, lookee! Candy!
Wishing Man.That's alive, too. (Jim Dandymarches down.) Mr. Snookie Ookums, let me introduce you to Mr. Jim Dandy, a stick of candy.
Snookums.Would he mind if I'd take a bite out of his leg?
Jim Dandy.You bet he would. I'm alive now.
Wishing Man(looks off at L.). And here comes Teddy Bear and Jimmy Bear. They're alive, too. And look at the Baby Elephant.
EnterTeddy Bear,Jimmy BearandBaby Jumbo.The piano plays a march. All march around the stage, first theWishing Man,thenBlackandBabette,JackandAnnette,MackandOlivette,Jim DandyandTootsie,Teddy BearandDumpling,thenBaby JumbowithSnookumsriding on his back, thenJimmy Bearcapering in the rear. March around several times. A simple folk dance may be introduced at this point. All sing two verses of "Follow Me, Full of Glee."
EnterTeddy Bear,Jimmy BearandBaby Jumbo.The piano plays a march. All march around the stage, first theWishing Man,thenBlackandBabette,JackandAnnette,MackandOlivette,Jim DandyandTootsie,Teddy BearandDumpling,thenBaby JumbowithSnookumsriding on his back, thenJimmy Bearcapering in the rear. March around several times. A simple folk dance may be introduced at this point. All sing two verses of "Follow Me, Full of Glee."
Curtain.
The room was all in shimmering white with a background of small pine trees in large wooden pots. The floor was covered with white muslin and scattered with leaves, pine needles and cones.
In one corner was a giant snow pile, made of a frame covered with cotton. This was presided over by the Snow Queen and her Maids and white-wrapped bundles were on sale for five cents.
Jack Frost and his boys presided over a large tree in another corner. Small toys wrapped in white tissue paper were attached to this tree and sold for five cents. Or Santa Claus may preside at the sale.
Snowballs of white popcorn and snowballs filled with candy were on sale at another booth, presided over by red and white Striped Candy Girls. Candy canes were also sold here.
In the fourth corner a snow scene in the woods was depicted. A local acrobat, dressed as a Snow-man, did stunts, assisted by several boys dressed as clowns. They pelted the Snow-man with snowballs and then sold bags of white confetti. The Snow-man also ran a game where snowballs were thrown at a target. The target was a circle of black cambric, the snowballs were rubber balls covered with raw cotton and rolled in flour. Balls sold three for five cents.
A postoffice in charge of Mrs. Santa Claus is recommended, where each pays five cents postage due for packages and postcards.
If snowballing the target is too "mussy," a large holly wreath with a cluster of sleighbells in the center may be suspended from the ceiling with red and green streamers. Three balls of soft rubber are provided and the contestants try to throw the balls through the wreath and ring the bells.
Stuffed stockings on a clothesline may be offered for sale. This should be presided over by Moll Pitcher and her colonial wash-maids.
A rummage sale of toys added quite a large sum to the general fund. There was a 5-cent table, a 10-cent table and a 25-cent table.
The rear of the stage should be hung with dark curtains. Arrange the trumpet vine and the trees in place before the play begins. Then hide them with screens, these screens serving as the "scenery" for Act I.
During the progress of Act II, in front of the front curtain, remove the screens and furniture ofAct I and arrange the stage for Act III as described in the text.
For the thunder effect in Act I rattle a large sheet of sheet-iron and explode several large fire-crackers.
The arrangement of the stage in Acts I and III is fully described in the text.
Table with long cover completely hiding the Wishing Man.
Lighted lamp on table. Chairs and sofa.
Window at rear. Two curtains can simulate a window.
Trumpet vine with tin and paper trumpets.
Drum tree with tissue paper buds and toy drums.
Candy tree.
Ball plants.
Frame to hide the French dolls.
Doll plants.
Pasteboard box with cover for Ka-zin-ski.
Three small pill boxes.
The Wishing Man—Dressed as a clown, white suit with red horseshoes on it. Red ruffles around arms, ankles and neck. Long, pointed, white clown cap. Face and neck should be covered with white grease paint and when it is dry apply white powder. Then blacken the nose and lips with hot black grease paint. Make tiny high eyebrows of this black paint and paint round black circles on cheek bones.
Grandpa,Grandma,FatherandMothershould be dressed in modern costume, but they must be made up and costumed to look the part.
Nurse Maid—Black dress, long. White apron, collar, cap and cuffs.
Dumpling,TootsyandSnookums—Pretty dresses suitable for Christmas.
The Big Dumpling,TootsyandSnookums—Dressed exactly like their little counterparts. Wigs, etc.
Ka-zin-ski—Tall boy dressed as a clown. False face. Bushy whiskers and wig. A regular jack-in-the-box make-up.
The Tin Soldiers—Long trousers of shiny blue cambric with red stripes at the sides. Shiny red jackets with yellow bands and buttons across front and on sleeves. Toy guns. The cheeks and lips should be very red to imitate toy soldiers.
The French Dolls—Fancy dresses and bonnets. Hair in curls. Faces painted to represent wax dollies, red cheeks, eyebrows black, eyelashes beaded with black hot grease paint.
Jim Dandy—Red and white striped stockings. From the knee to under the arms the suit is a cylindrical roll of white pasteboard striped with red. Sleeves and collar white striped with red. Pointed white cap striped with red.
Fig. 2The Bears—Costumes of brown canton flannel, fuzzy side out. Get a pattern for a child's nightdress with feet. Allow it rather loose in front, so that a folded knit shawl can be securely fastened (with safety pins) to the shoulders in front, beneath it, thus making the round body of the bear. For theback of the suit do not cut the waist part separate from the legs, as is usual in the pattern, but allow the waist to be as wide as the seat of the drawers.
Then lay a pleat from A to B on either side, tapering to form a loose fit below the waist. Sew thumbless mittens to the ends of the sleeves, padding them a little on the back and sewing on palms of a light tan, to represent paws.
Fit the seat of the drawers at the back loose enough to give freedom of motion, but no more.
For the heads, cut hoods like Fig. 3, taking a straight piece of cloth and fitting it with pleats around the face, etc. Make ears of two thicknesses of the cloth, stitched and turned like Fig. 4. Lay a box-pleat at A-B and sew them to the hood at C-D, so that they will stand out and forward. See Fig. 5. Sew this hood to the neck of the suit, so that all goes on together. Bear false faces.
Figs. 3-5
Fig. 6Baby Jumbo—Two medium sized boys form the elephant. Two four-foot sticks are fastened together with twenty-inch crosspieces, thus:rackForming a rack which two boys carry on their shoulders. Cut two pieces from gray cambric like Fig. 6 to form the head, having the trunk about a yard long; sew them together and stuff with rags; sew on white pasteboard tusks, large buttons for eyes and big ears cut out of cambric and lined with one thickness of paper. Attach strings at A and tie to the first crosspiece of the rack. Pad the rack with an old comfort sewed fast with cord to hold it in place.
Set the rack on the boy's shoulders, then standing with heads bent forward, the foremost boy supporting the elephant's head with his head and slipping his right hand into the upper part of the trunk so as to swing it. Throw over them a large, dark-colored shawl, reaching to their knees, fasten it together in the back and pin on a tail made of cambric and stuffed. Legs covered with brown burlap.
characters
Enlarge
Five Ladies, Five Gentlemen and a Little Boy for the Fezziwig Tableau
Scene:The counting house ofScroogeandMarley.A dark, dreary office, indicated by brown curtains at sides, with entrances R. and L. and brown curtains at rear. Note: These rear curtains must be arranged to be parted, showing the tableau stage back of the real stage. The tableau stage is elevated a few feet above the real stage (this makes a better picture but is not absolutely necessary). High desk at R. facing the R. wall. Tall stool at this desk; ledger, quill pen, ink, candle on this desk. Small, old desk down L., facing audience. Desk chair back of this desk. Two common wooden chairs at R.C. and L.C. Ledger, quill pen, books, candle stuck in an old dark bottle, on desk down L.Full description of costumes, a detailed illustration of the stage setting, etc., will be found at the end of the play.Before the curtain risesWaitsare heard singing off L. Curtain rises disclosingBob Cratchitseated on stool, bent over ledger at desk R., working by the light of the candle.
Scene:The counting house ofScroogeandMarley.A dark, dreary office, indicated by brown curtains at sides, with entrances R. and L. and brown curtains at rear. Note: These rear curtains must be arranged to be parted, showing the tableau stage back of the real stage. The tableau stage is elevated a few feet above the real stage (this makes a better picture but is not absolutely necessary). High desk at R. facing the R. wall. Tall stool at this desk; ledger, quill pen, ink, candle on this desk. Small, old desk down L., facing audience. Desk chair back of this desk. Two common wooden chairs at R.C. and L.C. Ledger, quill pen, books, candle stuck in an old dark bottle, on desk down L.
Full description of costumes, a detailed illustration of the stage setting, etc., will be found at the end of the play.
Before the curtain risesWaitsare heard singing off L. Curtain rises disclosingBob Cratchitseated on stool, bent over ledger at desk R., working by the light of the candle.
Waits(outside, sing "Christmas Carol").
(Cratchitturns and listens.)
EnterScroogefrom R. in a towering passion. Slams door R.Cratchithurriedly returns to his work.Scroogecrosses to door L. and flings it open angrily.
EnterScroogefrom R. in a towering passion. Slams door R.Cratchithurriedly returns to his work.Scroogecrosses to door L. and flings it open angrily.
Listen
Christmas Carol
Christmas Carol
Christmas Carol
Scrooge(flinging open door L. at this point). Get away from my door. Begone, ye beggars! I've nothing for you.
First Wait(sticking his head in door at L.). Only a shillin', sir, for a merry Christmas, yer honor.
Scrooge.Get away from there or I'll call the police.
First Wait.Only a shillin', sir.
Scrooge.Not a penny. I have other places to put my money. Go on, now. You don't get a cent. Not a penny!
First Wait.All right, sir. Merry Christmas, just the same, sir. (Exits L.)
Scrooge(comes down to his desk at L., muttering). Howling idiots! Give 'em a shilling, hey? I'd like to give 'em six months in the work'us, that I would. Paupers! I'd show 'em what a merry Christmas is. (Cratchitgets down from stool and starts to slink out L.) Hey!
Cratchit(pauses, turns toScrooge). Yes, sir.
Scrooge. Where you goin'?
Cratchit.I was just goin' to get a few coals, sir. Just to warm us up a bit, sir.
Scrooge.You let my coals alone. Get back to work. I'm not complaining about the cold, am I? And I'm an older man than you are. Back to work!
Cratchit(sighs, pauses, then says meekly). Yes, sir. (Resumes work.)
Scrooge.You want to let my coals alone if you expect to keep your job. I'm not a millionaire. Understand? (Loudly.) Understand?
Cratchit.Yes, sir, I understand. (Shivers, wraps long white woolen muffler closer about throat and warms hands at candle.)
Scrooge.Here it is three o'clock, the middle of the afternoon, and two candles burning. What more do you want? Want me to end up in the poorhouse?
Fred(heard outside at L.). Uncle! Uncle! Where are you? Merry Christmas, uncle.
Fredenters from L. He is happy and bright and has a cheerful, loud laugh. He enters laughing and comes down C.
Fredenters from L. He is happy and bright and has a cheerful, loud laugh. He enters laughing and comes down C.
Scrooge(looking up from his work). Oh, it's you, is it?
Fred.Of course it is, uncle. Merry Christmas! God save you!
Scrooge(with disgust). Merry Christmas! Bah! Humbug!
Fred.Christmas a humbug, uncle? You don't mean that, I'm sure.
Scrooge.I don't, hey? Merry Christmas! What cause have you got to be merry? You're poor enough.
Fred(laughing good-naturedly). Come, then, what right have you got to be dismal? You're rich enough. So, merry Christmas, uncle.
Scrooge.Out upon your merry Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer? You keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine.
Fred.Keep it? But you don't keep it!
Scrooge.Let me leave it alone, then. Much good may it do you! Much good has it ever done you!
Fred.Christmas is a good time, uncle; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, whenmen and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them in the social scale. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that ithasdone me good, andwilldo me good; and I say, God bless it, God bless Christmas!
Cratchit(who had been listening eagerly, claps his hands). Good!
Scrooge.Let me hear another sound fromyouand you'll keep your Christmas by losing your job. Get to work!
Cratchit.Yes, sir. (Resumes his work on the ledger.)
Scrooge(toFred). You're quite a powerful speaker, sir. I wonder you don't go into Parliament.
Fred.Don't be angry, uncle. Come, dine with us tomorrow.
Scrooge.Dine with you? Me? I'll see you hanged first. Dine with you? I'll see you in—
Cratchit(sneezes violently).
Scrooge.What's the matter withyou? (Turns toFred.) I'm a busy man. Good afternoon.
Fred.Come, uncle; say "Yes."
Scrooge.No.
Fred.But why? Why?
Scrooge(savagely). Why did you get married?
Fred.Because I fell in love.
Scrooge.Bah! (Resumes his work.) Good afternoon.
Fred.I want nothing from you. I ask nothing from you. But why can't we be friends?
Scrooge.Good afternoon.
Fred.Uncle I won't part in anger. My dearmother was your only sister—your only relation. For her sake let us be friends.
Scrooge(savagely). Good afternoon.
Fred.I'll still keep the Christmas spirit, uncle. A merry Christmas to you.
Scrooge(busy at ledger). Bah!
Fred.And a happy New Year.
Scrooge.Good afternoon!
Fred(goes toCratchit). And a merry Christmas to you, Bob Cratchit.
Cratchit(getting down from stool, shaking hands withFredwarmly). Merry Christmas, sir. God bless it!
Fred.Ay, God bless it! And a happy New Year.
Cratchit.And a happy New Year, too! God bless that, too!
Fred.Ay, Bob, God bless that, too. (Exit L.)
Scrooge.Cratchit, get to work!
Cratchit.Yes, sir. (Resumes work.)
Scrooge(looks at him). Humph! Fifteen shillings a week and a wife and six children, and he talks about a merry Christmas. Humph! (Works on ledger.)
Enter from L.Two Mission Lassies.They come down C.
First Lass.Scrooge and Marley's, I believe? Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge or Mr. Marley?
Scrooge.Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago this very night.
First Lass.We have no doubt his liberality is represented by his surviving partner. (Shows subscription paper.)
Scrooge.Liberality? Humph! (Returns paper to her.)
Second Lass.At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, we are trying to make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who are suffering greatly. Hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.
Scrooge.Are there no prisons?
Second Lass(sighs). Plenty of prisons, sir.
Scrooge.And the workhouses—are they still in operation?
First Lass.They are, sir; but they scarcely furnish Christmas cheer for mind and body. We are trying to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink and means of warmth.
Second Lass.We chose this time because it is a time when want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices. What shall we put you down for?
Scrooge.Nothing.
First Lass.You wish to be anonymous?
Scrooge.I wish to be left alone. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, I don't believe in it. And I can't afford to make idle people merry. They should go to the poorhouse.
Second Lass.Many of them would rather die, sir, than do that.
Scrooge(savagely). If they would rather die, they'd better do it and decrease the population. And besides, I am a very busy man.
First Lass.But, sir—
Scrooge.Good afternoon.
First Lass.I'm sorry, sir. Sorry—
Scrooge.Sorry for them?
First Lass.No, sir, I'm sorry for you, sir. Good afternoon. (Exits L. followed bySecond Lass.)
Scrooge.Sorry for me, hey? (Pause. He works. The clock strikes five.) Sorry for me!
Cratchit(closes his book, blows out candle). Is there anything more, sir? (Comes to C.)
Scrooge.You'll want all day off tomorrow, I suppose?
Cratchit.If it's quite convenient, sir.
Scrooge.Well, it isn't—and it's not fair. If I'd dock you a half a crown for it you'd think I was ill using you, wouldn't you?
Cratchit(nervously). I don't know, sir.
Scrooge.And yet you expect me to pay a full day's wages for no work.
Cratchit.It only comes once a year, sir. Only once a year.
Scrooge.A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December! But I suppose you've got to have the whole day. But you be here all the earlier next morning.
Cratchit.Oh, yes, indeed, sir. (Goes out R.)
Scrooge.I'll stay here a bit and finish up the work.