THE SCENERY.

(Rear curtains are drawn back, showing the Cratchit family at the table.Tiny Timstands on table.)

Tim.God bless us everyone!

(All unite in singing Christmas Carol to—)

Slow Curtain.

scenery

No. 1. A room. Barrel up L. for fiddler. Desk at R. Sign on wall "Fezziwig and Company." Garlands of green.

No. 2. Ebenezer and Bella. Same scene as No. 1.

No. 3. Cratchit's kitchen. Table at C. and home-made fireplace at rear C. are the only essentials, with a few stools or chairs. Fireplace made of a few boards covered with red paper marked like bricks with white chalk or paint.

No. 4. White sheets hang at back and sides. Two small evergreen trees nailed in position, white cotton hanging from them. Grave at C. covered with snow. Wooden headstone painted white and small footstone. The headstone may be in the form of a cross or a slab.

Scrooge—Should be played by a thin man of middle age, if possible. Gray hair. Shabby dark suit. Face lined. No jewelry or colors. If desired to costume the play in the middle Victorian period, Scrooge should wear very tight dark trousers, brown low cut vest, shabby black full-dress coat, soft white shirt, black stock tie, high collar made by taking an ordinary turn-over collar and turning it up.

Bob Cratchit—Very shabby dark suit. Long white woolen muffler. Old cap. Suit should be the same style as that worn by Scrooge, but much shabbier. Clothing neatly patched. He wears a sprig of mistletoe or holly in Staves 1 and 2.

Fred—Bright, cheerful young man of 22. Overcoat and top hat. Ruffled shirt, stock tie and collar as for Scrooge.

Mission Lassies—Dark skirts, capes, blue poke bonnets with red ribbon across front.

The Ghost of Jacob Marley—Long black robe. Black hood. Chains around waist, with toy money banks on chains. Take a skeleton false face and with gray and black and white grease paint make up your own face like a false face. Or if desired, wear the false face. Speak in low monotone.

First Spirit—A little girl of 10. Long light hair. White Grecian draperies trimmed with tinsel. Crown of tinsel.

Second Spirit—Man dressed in a red robe, trimmed with sprigs of green pine. White cotton border to represent snow. Cap of white cotton.

Third Spirit—Use same costume and make-up as Marley's Ghost.

Waits—White smocks, ragged trousers. Felt hats twined with red and green ribbon. Carry branches of holly.

Mr. Fezziwig—Low shoes with pasteboard buckles covered with tinfoil. Short black trousers. White stockings. Fancy colonial coat and hat. White colonial wig. A short, stout man of middle age. Always laughing, moving around, etc.

Mrs. Fezziwig—Middle-aged lady in gay colonial tuck-up dress. White colonial wig.

EbenezerandDick—Two young men in colonial costume. No wigs.

The Fiddler—White wig and whiskers. Long white smock. Hat trimmed with ribbons.

Bella—Neat colonial costume of pink and white. Hair in curls.

The Cratchit Family—Old-fashioned costumes, faded and worn, but bright with cheap lace and gay ribbons. Peter wears a large white collar.

characters

Enlarge

Time of Playing—About Forty-five Minutes.

Scene:Living room in an apartment house. Furnishings as desired. Several Christmas wreaths adorn the room.Kittyis discovered comfortably seated down L. reading a fashion magazine. The door bell at R. rings.

Kitty. Come in.

EnterEddie,the colored elevator boy. He carries several Christmas packages.

Eddie. Yas'm, I'm in.

Kitty. Eddie!

Eddie. Yas'm, it's me. I 'clare I's loaded up like a reg'lar old Santa Claus. (Laughs loudly.) Yas'm, I sure am.

Kitty. Anything for us, Eddie?

Eddie. Two packages for you and one for Mr. Williams. Santa Claus is sure liberal to you-all.

Kitty(taking the three packages). Thank you, Eddie.

Eddie(briskly). I don't usually bring up de mail, Mis' Williams, but this is Christmas Day and mos' everybody is anxious to git all dat's comin' to 'em. I knows I is.

Kitty.Have you had a merry Christmas, Eddie?

Eddie.No'm, not yet. All I got is a yaller and green striped necktie from (insert local name). He's been wearin' it for more'n a year.

Kitty(has opened smaller package). Oh, it's from Rannie Stewart. (Takes off tissue paper, disclosing a small bit of white embroidery tied with a huge pink bow.) Mercy! Another pin-cushion cover. That makes six I have already. Cost about twenty cents, and I sent her a perfectly lovely doily embroidered with scarlet forget-me-nots. I'll never send Rannie Stewart another present as long as I live. (Throws box and wrappings into waste basket.) Pink! And she knows my rooms are in blue and yellow. Eddie!

Eddie.Yas'm.

Kitty.Here's a little Christmas present for you. (Hands it to him.)

Eddie(reads card on it). "Merry Christmas to my Darling Kittens." Is dat for me?

Kitty.Oh, no; not the card, just the embroidery.

Eddie(holding it up). Lawdy, Mis' Williams, what is dis yere? A dust cap?

Kitty.It's a cover for a pin-cushion. Isn't it a dear?

Eddie.I hopes you'll excuse me, but honest Ihain't got no more use for dat thing dan a pussy cat has for a hot water bottle.

Kitty(opening larger package). Throw it in the waste basket, Eddie. This is from Warren. I know the handwriting. It looks like a hat. (Opens box and removes wrappings, disclosing a hideous red and orange hat.) Heavens, what a nightmare! Red and orange and a style four years old. It must have come from the five and ten cent store. Look at the plume! Oh!

Eddie(admiring it). Um-um, dat shore am a fine present. Your husband certainly am a man ob taste, he shore am.

Kitty(sarcastically). Yes, he has wonderful taste, hasn't he? A little bizarre. No, it's more than bizarre; it's baroque.

Eddie.It looks like a hat to me.

Kitty.I know what I'll do. (Wraps it up and puts it back in box.)

Eddie.Dat certainly was a nice present, Mis' Williams. Must have cost a heap of money.

Kitty.It probably did. But it isn't my style. And Madame Brunot never exchanges hats. What a shame! I suppose he paid an enormous price for it and I could have satisfied myself with one for half the money. If only men would allow their wives to select their own Christmas presents.

EnterLaura Laceyfrom R.

Laura.Hello, Kittens. I saw your door open and came right in.

Kitty(kisses her). That's right, Lolly. I was just going over to your apartment. I have a little present for you.

Laura.A present? You dear! (Kisses her again.)

Kitty.Yes. Here! (Gives her the box containing the hat.) I hope you'll like it.

Laura.A hat? Oh, you darling! (Kisses her again.)

Warren(outside L.). Kitty!

Kitty(goes to door at L.). Yes, Warren?

Warren.I can't find my collar button.

Kitty.Did you look on the dresser?

Warren.Of course I did. I've looked every place except in the refrigerator.

Kitty.I'll be back in a minute, Laura. Excuse me. (Hurries out L.)

Laura(opens the box hastily and takes out the hat). Red and orange! Horrors! And I gave her a cut glass cold-cream jar that I got at the auction. I wouldn't wear this to a dog fight. Eddie!

Eddie.Yas'm.

Laura.You've been a good boy to us all year. I'm going to give you a lovely Christmas present.

Eddie.Is you?

Laura.I'm going to give you this duck of a hat. (Holds it up.)

Eddie(delighted). Dat red and yaller hat?

Laura.Yes. Hurry and put it in the box. I don't want Kitty Williams to know I gave her Christmas present away. (They put it in box.)

Eddie.Um-um! Dat shore am some Christmas present. Won't ma lady-love be delighted with all dat gorgeousness? I certainly am much obliged to you, Mis' Lacey; I shore am.

Laura.When Kitty comes back tell her I was called to the 'phone. (Goes to door R.) I'll nevergive Kitty Williams another present as long as I live. (Exits R.)

EnterWarren Williamsfrom L.

Warren.Hello, Eddie. Are you acting as Santa Claus?

Eddie(who has put the hat on floor at rear). Yas, sah; yas, sah. I's old Santa Claus to most everybody 'cept maself. Looks like old Christmas done passed me by.

Warren(sees package on table). Hello, here's a present for me.

Eddie.Yas, sah. I brung it up.

Warren(opens it). Cigars! From my wife. (Looks at box dubiously.) She must have got them at a bargain sale. (Reads cover.) Santas Odoriferous. (Passes box to Eddie.) Have a cigar, Eddie.

Eddie.Yas, sah. Thank you, boss.

Warren(lighting one). Now, that certainly is a sensible present. So many women don't know how to select a cigar, but Kitty—

Eddie(smoking). Yas, sah. Your wife certainly am a lady ob discernibility. She shore am.

Warren.So many women give their husbands such foolish presents.

Eddie.De lady in Apartment B done give her husband a pearl La Valliere for Christmas.

Warren(takes cigar from mouth, looks at it a moment, replaces it and smokes furiously). You like a good cigar, don't you, Eddie?

Eddie(removes his cigar, looks at it, replaces it). Yas, sah. I likes agoodcigar.

Warren.I tell you these are something like cigars, aren't they?

Eddie. Yas, sah. Dey's sumpin like 'em, boss, but not quite.

Warren(chokes and then throws cigar in cuspidor). I don't believe I care to smoke just now.

Eddie(does the same). Neither does I, boss; neither does I.

Warren. You wouldn't like a nice box of cigars for a Christmas present, would you, Eddie?

Eddie(slowly). No, sah, I don' 'spects I would. Ma lady-love don't like to hab me smoke no cigars, kase she says it contaminates ma presence. Well, I's got to go and deliber de res' ob my Christmas packages. Merry Christmas, boss. (Exit R., carrying the hat in the box.)

EnterKittyfrom L.

Kitty. Warren, I've laid out the costumes in your room. They're too lovely for anything.

Warren. Well, did you get it?

Kitty. Get it?

Warren. Your Christmas present.

Kitty. Oh, yes, I got it. (Looks around.) Why, where is Lolly?

Warren. She probably got tired of waiting and went back to her apartment. How did you like the hat?

Kitty. It was a dream. You're such a good boy and you have the most wonderful taste in the world.

Warren. Your cigars were just what I wanted.

Kitty. Why aren't you smoking one?

Warren. I did. Just one.

Kitty. Just one?

Warren(hastily). I mean—I only smoke one cigar in the afternoon, you know. But where is your hat?

Kitty.I'm going to have it fixed over a little, Warren. Just enough to suit my own individuality, you know.

Warren.Jack Dawson gave his wife a cook stove.

Kitty.Speaking of impossible presents, I just got the most horrible pin-cushion cover from Rannie Stewart. I threw it in the waste basket.

Warren.That's what comes of promiscuous giving. I told you how it would be. First I decided not to buy anything at all, but I couldn't resist that hat. Your tickets to the masquerade dinner and ball are the rest of the present.

Kitty.But I told Lolly we'd take tickets from her.

Warren.I know. I haven't bought the tickets yet. I meant the money for them was the rest of your present. That and the hat. All my presents are beautiful practical things that every one wants.

Kitty.Yes, that's so. You have wonderful taste.

Warren.I didn't even give Eddie anything.

Kitty.It doesn't matter. Oh, Warren. (Sits on arm of his chair.) I'm so glad we're going to have tonight all to ourselves. Aunt Minerva would have spoiled everything.

Warren.Is she so very awful?

Kitty.Not awful; just good. Real downright good. And so intellectual. I'm sure she'd never approve of a Christmas masquerade.

(Ring at the bell at R.)

Kitty.See who it is.

WarrenadmitsMaginnis Googinfrom R.

Googin.Merry Christmas, sor.

Warren. The same to you, Googin.

Googin. I jest drapped in to see if you naded any more heat or anything like that. My, my, but I've been working hard the day. Sure, to be the janitor of an apartment house is no cinch at all, at all. And paple are not as liberal as they used to be, aven at Christmas time.

Warren. Have a cigar.

Googin. Thank ye, sor. (Smokes one.)

Kitty. Warren, you'd better try on your costume. I might have to change something, you know.

Warren. But I—

Kitty. Please. We haven't got much time. It's after four.

Warren(crosses to left). All right. (Exits L.)

Kitty. Now, Mr. Googin, I want you to go down stairs and tell your wife to come up. I have a nice little present for her.

Googin(brightening). Have ye, now? A prisint for Honoria? Sure, it's a kind and thoughtful lady ye are.

Kitty. She's at home, isn't she?

Googin. She is that.

Kitty. Ask her to come up here and wish us a merry Christmas.

Warrenappears at L.

Warren. Kitty, how does that ruffle thing work? I can't get it around my head at all. I don't know the combination.

Kitty. Oh, I must have sewed it together. Can't you get it over your head?

Warren. Not without choking myself.

Kitty. Wait a minute. I'll rip it for you. (Exits L.)

Warren(gets box of cigars and hands it to Googin). Here's a little Christmas present, Googin. They're awfully good. I smoked two of them.

Googin(lights one). Thank ye, sor.

Warren.Don't let my wife see you smoking in here. She doesn't like it.

Googin(chokes, takes cigar from mouth, looks at it). What kind of a stogie is it, Mr. Williams?

Warren.It's pure Havana. Santas Odoriferous.

Googin(smells it). It's odoriferous all right, all right. Begorry, it smells like someone had been burnin' the beans.

Warren.That's the way all pure Havanas smell.

Googin.I think I'll chop 'em up and smoke 'em in me pipe. Much obliged, sor, and merry Christmas to the both of yeez. Tell yer wife that me and Honoria will be right up. (Exits R.)

EnterKittyfrom L.

Kitty.It's all right now. I left an opening. And I sewed on the last pompon. Warren, don't you think we ought to remember the Googins?

Warren.I do remember them. When people have faces like the Googins one never forgets them.

Kitty.He's such a good janitor. Really, I think we ought to make them a little present.

Warren.But I'm busted, Kitty. Those masquerade tickets will take our last cent.

Kitty.We might give the Googins some little thing here. (Looks around.) I have it!

Warren.Yes?

Kitty.We'll give them Aunt Minerva's picture.

Warren.Thank goodness. At last we've found a use for Aunt Minerva's picture. Ever since youhung it up there it's haunted me. But the Googins don't want it.

Kitty.I'm sure they will. They're frightfully poor and it would just match their furniture, I'm sure. Henceforth Aunt Minerva shall shed her light in the basement.

EnterMrs. Googinfrom R., followed byGoogin,smoking a cigar.

Mrs. Googin.A merry Christmas to the both of yeez. (ToKitty.) Me man Maginnis tould me ye wanted to see me.

Kitty(at R.). Yes, indeed; come right in.

Mrs. Googin.I know what it is, darlin'. Sure it's a bit of a prisint fer me and the childer, now ain't it, Mrs. Williams? (Smiles.)

Kitty(at R.). What a good guesser you are.

Mrs. Googin.The Widow O'Toole, her in Apartment C, was after givin' me one of her ould worn-out waists. But I took her down a peg as quick as a wink. I'm a lady, I am, and me mother was a lady before me, and I don't accept cast-off clothes fer Christmas prisints.

Kitty.You don't. (At R.C. near front withMrs. Googin.)

Googin(at rear L. withWarren). And nather do I.

Mrs. Googin.The ould bachelor in Apartment F gave me a fine prisint. I brung it up to show yeez. (Shows fancy waste basket, tied with ribbon bows.) It's a new bunnet. (Puts it on her head.) Sure, that's a Christmas prisint that touches me heart.

Kitty.I'm going to give you that picture. (Points to crayon portrait.)

Mrs. Googin.The picture of the ould lady, is it?

Kitty.Yes. It's a lovely frame.

Mrs. Googin.And it's a nice lookin' ould lady, too. She looks a little like me own mother, who before she was married to a Mulvaney was a McShane.

Kitty.Warren, take it down.

Warren.With pleasure. (Takes picture down.)

Mrs. Googin(taking the picture). Sure, I have no picture of me own mother at all, at all. More's the pity. I'll jist take this picture and then I'll be after tellin' all me frinds that it is a likeness of me mother who was a McShane from County Kilkenny. (Sits R.)

Googin.Would ye decave yer frinds, Honoria?

Mrs. Googin.A little deception is the spice of life. And besides it looks enough like herself to be her own photygraft. Don't it, Maginnis?

Googin.Sure it looks like a chromo to me.

Mrs. Googin(angrily). A chromo, is it?

Googin.Yis, or wan of them comic valentines.

Mrs. Googin.Listen to that now. He says me own mother looks like a chromo and a comic valentine. I'm a lady, I am, and me mother was a lady before me, and if I wasn't a lady, sure I'd break the picture over yer head, Maginnis Googin. Insulted am I and right before me face! (Weeps.) Oh, wurra, wurra, that me own ould mother, who was a McShane, should live to see that day whin her daughter's own husband would call her a comic valentine. (Weeps and rocks back and forth.)

Googin(close to her). I said nawthin' about yer mother, Honoria Googin. I only remarked that the picture resimbled a comic valentine. And it do. And I'll lave it to Mr. Williams whither I'm right or no.

Mrs. Googin(rises with dignity, goes toKitty). I thank ye kindly fer yer prisint, Mrs. Williams, and I wish yeez all the compliments of the season. (Turns toGooginsavagely.) As fer you, Maginnis Googin, ather ye beg me mother's pardon fer yer insults, or it's nather bite ner sup ye'll git in my house this night. (Sails out at R. carrying picture and waste basket.)

Googin.Wait a minute. Listen to me, Nora, darlin'. Let me explain. (Follows her out at R.)

Warren.Well, there goes Aunt Minerva.

Kitty.And she sent it to us last Christmas.

Warren.I'm glad she decided not to visit us this year. Money is scarce at the end of the month and she's better off in Kankakee. New York isn't any place for Aunt Minerva on Christmas Day.

Kitty.I'm afraid auntie's gait is not quite up to New York in the holiday season.

Warren.I think I'll try on my costume. Are you sure I can get into the ruff now?

Kitty.Oh, yes. Wasn't that stupid of me? Just like making a skirt and then sewing up the top of it. (ExitWarrenat L.)

EnterGooginfrom R.

Googin.Sure, it's a sad time we're havin' down in the basement.

Kitty.What has happened?

Googin.Herself has locked the door of the apartment and divil a bit will she open it at all.

Kitty.Why, Mr. Googin!

Googin.I'm in a pretty pickle now. All me money is locked up in me house with Honoria. You could be doin' me a great favor, if ye would, Mrs. Williams, mum.

Kitty. What is it, Mr. Googin?

Googin. Go down to the basement and tell me wife to open the door to her lawful wedded husband.

Kitty. Why, of course I will. (Exits R.)

Googin(sits down comfortably and lights a cigar from his box). Sure, it's a sad Christmas for me, so it is, whin Honoria lets an ould picture come bechune a man and his wife. (Smokes.) Begorry, I smell something. (Sniffs.) It's awful. (Rises.) Some wan is burning some rubber. Maybe I've got too much hate on in the radiators. (Sniffs.) My, my, what an awful smell. (Removes cigar and looks at it, smells it, makes horrible grimace.) Oh, ho, so it's you, is it? (Throws it in cuspidor.) No wonder they call it Santas Odoriferous. If that cigar came from Havana they'd ought to take it back there again and give it a dacent burial.

EnterEddiefrom R. with the hat in box.

Eddie. Say, Mr. Googin!

Googin. What is it, Eddie?

Eddie. Does you want to buy a nice Christmas present for a lady?

Googin. Maybe I do. What is it?

Eddie. A nice hat. Right in de latest style. Jes' come home from de millinery store. Mis' Lacey gib it to me for a Christmas present, and I ain't got no use for it.

Googin. Begorry, that's a good idea. I'll make peace with me wife. Eddie, I'll trade ye a nice box of cigars for the hat.

Eddie. Is 'em some ob Mistah Williamses cigars?

Googin. They are. Santas Odoriferous.

Eddie. Man, man, I wouldn't deprive you ob dem cigars for de world.

Googin. Sure it's no depravity at all, at all.

Eddie. I'll sell you de hat for two dollars cash money.

Googin. Two dollars, is it?

Eddie. Yas, sah, and it's worth 'bout ten dollars. De lady done say it's worthmore'nten dollars.

Googin. I'll take it. (Takes out old wallet, counts out two dollars in small change and gives it toEddie.)

Eddie. Yas, sah. Dat's right.

Googin. There's yer two dollars.

Eddie. And dere's yer hat. (Gives him box.) Excuse me, boss. I hears de elevator bell. (Exits R.)

Googin(opens box and looks at the hat). Begorry, I've been robbed. Eddie! Ye thavin' nagur, come here. Niver in all the world would me wife wear an orange hat. She hates orange worse ner pizen.

EnterKittyfrom R.Googinhas hat in the box.

Kitty. It's all right, Mr. Googin. I had a long talk with your wife and she's all ready for you.

Googin. Ready for me? With a flatiron belike.

Kitty. No, no. Her face is wreathed in smiles. She's waiting for you with a real Kilkenny welcome.

Googin(smiles). Is she now? Sure, Mrs. Williams, mum, it's a grand lady ye are. Excuse me, mum, but this bein' Christmas day, I was wonderin' whether you'd be after accepting a wee bit of a Christmas present from the likes of me?

Kitty. Why, Mr. Googin, how very kind and thoughtful.

Googin(hands her the box). It's here, mum. A fine hat it is. Right out of the millinery store.

Kitty.Oh, thank you so much. I'm just crazy to see it. (Takes it out.) What! (Stares at it.)

Googin.Ain't it a beauty, mum?

Kitty(recovering). Oh, yes, indeed, Mr. Googin. But it is a far too expensive present for you to give me. You'd better give it to your wife. Here, I'll wrap it all up again.

Googin.But me wife won't wear orange.

Kitty.Tell her to take off the orange and replace it with a green bow. I'll give her a nice green gauze bow.

Googin(smiling). Will ye now?

Kitty.Yes. Take it down to her now. It will please her so much. She'll welcome you with open arms.

Googin.I'll do it. (Takes box.) And I'm much obliged for your trouble, mum. (Exits R.)

Kitty.Warren!

Warren(outside L.). Yes?

Kitty.Are you dressed yet? It's nearly five o'clock.

Warren.Sure.

EnterWarrenfrom L., wearing white Pierrot costume.

Kitty.Oh, it's a dream.

Warren.I feel like a fool. Say, Kittens, you'd better get into yours.

EnterMrs. Googinfrom R. with picture.

Mrs. Googin(not seeing Warren). Sure I had to run up to tell yeez that iverything was all right, Mrs. Williams. And it's a darlin' y' are.

Kitty.Oh, I'm so glad.

Mrs. Googin(seeing Warren). Howly snakes of Ireland, what's that?

Kitty.That's Warren.

Mrs. Googin.He gave me such a start. I thought it was wan of them circus clowns got loose, mum.

Warren(gayly). Wait till you see me with my paint on. (Runs out L.)

Mrs. Googin.Me husband has given me his consint and I can hang up the picture in me drawing-room, and he furthermore says that me mother is a quane and the picture is her perfect likeness.

Kitty.Then I'm sure you'll have a very merry Christmas, Mrs. Googin.

Mrs. Googin.I brought you up a little Christmas gift, mum.

Kitty.You did?

Mrs. Googin(takes out the hat). Ain't it a beauty?

Kitty.Indeed it is. But really you should keep that for yourself.

Mrs. Googin.Indade I'll not. I says to Maginnis, says I, "She's trated me like a lady, and I'll trate her like a lady also." So, here's yer Christmas prisint and many happy returns of the day.

Kitty.But this is such an expensive present, Mrs. Googin. Really, I—

Mrs. Googin(loftily). What's ixpense bechune frinds?

Kitty.I don't think I ought to accept such a lovely gift.

Mrs. Googin.Ye'll be hurtin' me feelings if ye don't. I'm a lady, Mrs. Williams, and me mother was a lady before me, and I have very, very sensitive feelings.

Kitty(sighs, then takes hat and box). Very well, Mrs. Googin. Thank you so much.

Mrs. Googin.And now I'll be goin' back to the basement. I hope ye have a pleasant time at yer party, mum.

Kitty.Thank you, Mrs. Googin.

Mrs. Googin.Are you goin' to fix yerself up like a circus clown, too?

Kitty.Oh, no. I'm to be Pierrette.

Mrs. Googin.Pierrette, is it? Well, look out ye don't git pinched. Merry Christmas. (Exit R.)

EnterWarrenfrom L.

Warren.Kittens, there's a poor beggar woman out on the back steps. Can't you find something for her?

Kitty.No, I haven't a thing. (Sees hat box.) Oh, yes, I have! Tell her to come in. (ExitWarrenat L.) Now, I'll be rid of my Christmas hoodoo. (Puts hat in box.)

EnterHard Times Anniefrom L., weeping loudly.

Annie.Oh, oh! On Christmas day! Just to think of it. Oh! (Wails.)

Kitty.What is it, my good woman? What's the matter?

Annie.Oh, mum, it's starving I am. A poor lone widow with sivin little children huddled up in the straw in a stable. No fire have we, no coal have we, no food have we. And on Christmas day, too. (Cries.) Could ye let me have a little money, mum?

Kitty(looks in her purse and shows audience that it is empty.) No, I haven't any money.

Annie.And it's such hard times we're having. With the cost of living so high and me with sivinchildren. No fire have we, no coal have we, no food have we.

Kitty.I'm so sorry for you.

Annie.Thank ye kindly, mum. And can you help me a little?

Kitty.How would you like a nice winter hat? It's perfectly new and has never been worn. It's red and orange.

Annie.Oh, lady, yer a fallen angel, so yer are, fallen right down from the skies. I'd rather have a nice winter hat than have a bushel of coal.

Kitty.There it is. And merry Christmas.

Annie.Thank you, mum. Has it got flowers on it or feathers?

Kitty.Feathers.

Annie.Oh, thank ye. Yer a fallen angel; indade ye are, mum.

Kitty.You'd better go out this way. (Points to R.) I don't want my husband to see what I've given you.

Annie.I know how it is, mum. I've had two of 'em meself. But nather one was a circus clown, mum. I suppose that makes 'em bad-tempered.

Kitty.Yes, I suppose so. Good-bye.

Annie(crosses to door R.). Merry Christmas, mum. And bless ye for what ye have done for me this day. Yer a fallen angel, mum; indeed yer are. (Exits R.)

EnterWarrenfrom L.

Warren.Get rid of her?

Kitty.Yes. Gave her some little things. Now I must hurry and dress. How nice you look. I'll be ready in ten minutes. (Exit L.)

(Ring at bell R.)

Warren(opens the door, admittingLaura). Hello, Lolly.

Laura.Are you all ready?

Warren.Kittens has just started to dress. Did you get the tickets?

Laura.Yes. Here they are. Jim's waiting for me.

Warren(takes the two tickets). Thank you.

Laura.I had an awful time getting the places reserved.

Warren.Ten dollars, aren't they?

Laura.Yes.

Warren.Just a minute, till I get the money. Sit down. Kittens has the money. (Exit L.)

Laura(calls after him). Hurry, please, Warren.

Warren(outside). All right.

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