_Mother Goose:_ Tell Father Christmas your names now, my pretty ones, and give him the presents you have brought in his honor.
_Little Bo-Peep (coming forward)_: I"m little Bo-Peep who lost her sheep. I bring you some fine lamb"s wool to keep you warm, Father Christmas.
_(Father Christmas receives with a gracious air this gift and those that follow, handing them afterward to Jack Goose, who puts them into a large box or basket previously provided for the purpose.)_
_Jack Horner:_ I"m little Jack Horner who sat in a corner, eating a Christmas pie. I"ve brought you one just like it, Father Christmas.
This pie is full of plums, and I haven"t put in my thumb to pull out one! (_Goes back to place after handing pie_.)
_Miss m.u.f.fet_: I"m little Miss m.u.f.fet, sir. I sat on a tuffet, eating some curds and whey; but there came a big spider, and I was frightened away. Do you like curds and whey, Father Christmas? I hope so, for here are some in a bowl. (_Hands gift, and returns to place_.)
_Peter Pumpkin Eater_: Here come I, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater. But I"ve saved a nice pumpkin for _you_, Father Christmas, and here it is.
(_Returns to place_.)
_Curly Locks_: Just little Curly Locks who sits on a cushion and sews a fine seam, and feeds upon strawberries, sugar, and cream! Here"s some of my sewing, Father Christmas. (_Presents needlework, and returns to place_.)
_Little Boy Blue_ (_blowing several blasts on his horn as he comes forward_): Here"s Little Boy Blue! I blow my horn when sheep"s in the meadow and cow"s in the corn. I"ve brought you my very best horn for a present, Father Christmas. It"s a good one, I can tell you! (_Blows again, and hands to Father Christmas, who smilingly tries the horn before handing on to Jack_.)
_Contrary Mary_: "Mary, Mary, quite contrary," they call me, Father Christmas. I"m not contrary at all. Don"t you believe it. Only I _don"t_ like to do just the same as other folks. That"s the reason I"m not going to give you one of my silver bells or my pretty sh.e.l.ls. I"ll keep them myself for the present. Perhaps when it"s Fourth of July, or some other time when n.o.body else is thinking about giving you anything, you"ll hear from Contrary Mary. (_Flounces herself away to place_.)
_Mother Goose_: Fie, fie, my child! Give your presents to Father Christmas as you should. This contrariness grows upon you apace, and must be checked at once. _(Mary obeys Mother Goose reluctantly, pouting and muttering to herself.)_
_Little Tommy Tucker_: I am only little Tommy Tucker who sings for his supper. All I can give you is a song, Father Christmas.
TOMMY TUCKER"S SONG.
(Air: "Ben Bolt.")
Oh, don"t you remember when children were old, And money grew up on the trees, How we lived upon nothing but cake and ice-cream.
And had none but our own selves to please?
We went to bed late every night of our lives, And we played every day all day long; And we never did sums, and could spell anyhow, And n.o.body said it was wrong!
Oh, don"t you remember the naughty child grew, The good one was good all in vain, Till dear Father Christmas and Mother Goose, too, To children their duty made plain?
So now we can cipher and spell with a will, And at nine we are snug in our beds, With good Father Christmas in all of our dreams, And Mother Goose songs in our heads!
_Father Christmas_: Bravo, Tom Tucker! Be sure you shall have the supper for which you have sung so well. Bless my eyes! Who comes here?
_Jack and Jill (together):_ We are Jack and Jill, Father Christmas.
And here"s a pail for you. It is the one that we had when "Jack fell down and broke his crown, and Jill came tumbling after." _(Hands a pail_.)
_Simple Simon (drawling):_ Simple Simon, I am. I met a pieman going to the fair. Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your fare."
Says the pieman to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny." Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Indeed, I have not any."
_Father Christmas_: So you did not get the pie? My boy, let it be a lesson to you that in this world n.o.body can have something for nothing.
_Polly Flinders (sobbing):_ I don"t look fit to come to a party, Father Christmas, for I burnt my best dress sitting among the cinders.
Please excuse me this time, and let me stay, though I have no gift.
_Father Christmas_: Certainly, my dear, certainly.
_Mother Goose (severely}:_ You are entirely too indulgent, Father Christmas! Polly Flinders, who sat among the cinders, ought to have stayed at home. _(Polly begins to cry.)_
_Father Christmas_: Oh, we must overlook her appearance this time, Mother Goose. Christmas is no time for tears. Go back among your brothers and sisters. Polly. Mother Goose and I will let you stay, but don"t sit again among the cinders, Polly Flinders!
(Sound of singing outside. Children of All Nations enter, waving: flags. At the conclusion of their song they stand in a semi-circle behind Father Christmas and Mother Goose.)
SONG OF ALL NATIONS.
(Air--: "Upidee," page 68, Franklin Sq. Coll No. 1.)
Dear Father Christmas, you we greet, Tra la la, tra la la, And Mother Goose, his friend so meet, Tra la la, la la.
From every nation on the earth We hail you both with Christmas mirth.
_Chorus_.--Merry, merry Christmas, all.
Christmas gay, happy day!
Merry, merry Christmas, all!
Merry Christmas day!
(Pointing to Mother Goose and Father Christmas.)
"The Children"s Friends" their name is known, Tra la la, tra la la; Oh, long may they that t.i.tle own, Tra la la, la la.
Wherever in the whole wide world The flag of childhood is unfurled.--_Cho_.
(Taking places.)
Above our two most loving friends, Tra la la, tra la la, The banner of each nation bends, Tra la la, la la.
Hurrah for Father Christmas dear!
And also Mother Goose we"ll cheer!--_Cho_.
(Enter Thanksgiving, carrying a basket of fruit, and accompanied by her children, Peace and Plenty.)
_Father Christmas_: Why, here"s my dear niece Thanksgiving, with her two fine youngsters, Peace and Plenty! Thanksgiving, my dear, permit me to present you to Mother Goose, her son Jack, and all the rest of her family. _(Mutual recognitions.}_ Also, to the Children of All Nations. _(Bows.)_
_Thanksgiving_:
With Peace and with Plenty, my children, I bring To good Father Christmas our small offering.
_(Presents basket.)_
_Peace and Plenty (together):_
Long live Father Christmas and Mother Goose, too!
Their fame is world-wide, and their friends not a few.
(Thanksgiving, Peace, and Plenty now take places near Father Christmas, while Happy New Year enters, carrying a bunch of keys. She is accompanied by two children, Hope and Good Resolutions.)
_Father Christmas (rising to greet her_): My dear daughter Happy New Year, we are glad to see you, with Hope and Good Resolutions looking so bright and well. Permit me to introduce my guests. _(Mutual recognitions.)_
_Happy New Year_: