Chapter M

I hold in hand a great big M,
It suits me to a T;
M stands for mother, money, too,
And, yes, it stands for me.

(_All now stand close together and hold their letters at the same height. Then the following lines may be given in concert or spoken by the leader [S] alone_.)

Now if you read our letters down
From left hand to the right,
You'll find a Christmas greeting
For one and all to-night.

Then beginning at the the left, each child may name his letter--

M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S.

(_Exit_.)

* * * * *

=Under the Christmas Tree.=

A DOLLYDRAMA.

BY ARTHUR GUITERMAN.

TIME: Christmas Eve. CHARACTERS: _Arabella_, a heartless
French doll; _Koko_, a melodramatic Japanese doll;
_Jackski-in-the-Boxovitch,_ the Muscovite Mystery. SCENES: The
children's room. A Christmas tree, properly decorated, L. A
box or hamper with a hinged cover, large enough to contain
_Jack_, center. An entrance, R. _Arabella_ is costumed as
a lady doll should be. _Koko_ is attired in Japanese style,
either old or modern military, and wears a sword. _Jack_
should have abundant black hair and beard and should
be provided with a gilded club. When the curtain rises,
_Arabella_ is discovered seated under the Christmas tree,
eating comfits. The action should be stiff-jointed and
doll-like throughout.

_Arabella (rising)_: Oh, marvelous is Nature! Only see
How bounteous the spreading Christmas tree
That bears upon its branches sugar-plums,
With candy canes and baskets, balls and drums
And trumpets, whistles, candles, pop-corn strings,
And countless kinds of gilt and tinsel things!
Beneath its shade I'll sit me down a while
And read, an idle moment to beguile,
These tender letters penned by suitors three
Who seek my hand--What _can_ they see in me?
(_Seating herself, she takes out three letters, opening one_.)
That sailor doll! He talks of foreign lands
And sings; but I can't bear his tarry hands!
Besides, 'tis rash to trust these roving men.
(_Tearing the letter_.)
So, Bobbie Shafto, go to sea again.
(_She opens another letter_.)
Poor Koko! How that soldier boy does tease!
To tell the truth, I like that Japanese:
But, no! 'twould never do. I can't afford
To wed a doll with nothing but a sword.
(_She sighs, folds the letter, and opens the third_.)
A crest! The Marquis!--Yes, he's dull, alas!
But think!--the Marchioness of Carabas!

(_Rising, she marches majestically_ R. _Koko enters hurriedly. He throws himself at her feet and seizes her hand_.)

_Koko_: Hail, Arabella. (_She draws away_.) Nay, be not so nice!
Though I said "Hail!" yet do not turn to ice.
That chilly manner fairly makes one freeze.
Behold me down upon my Japan knees!
He bends to thee who never knelt before!
Thou art my all.

_Arabella (aside)_: Oh, sawdust! What a bore!

_Koko_: One word from thee would lift me to the skies.
Pray speak that word!

_Arabella_: I'll try to, sir. Arise!

_Koko_: Nay, mock me not! You know the word I mean.

_Arabella_: Oh, Captain Koko! please don't make a scene.

_Koko_: What! Do you spurn me?

_Arabella (soothingly)_: Now, I wouldn't care
To put it that way. Captain, don't despair!
That German doll would make a model wife.
But, frankly, I don't fancy army life.

_Koko_: Ha! scorned! I know what brings it to this pass.
That stupid Marquis--he of Carabas.
False girl, beware! You'll find, ere years have rolled,
That honest steel is better far than gold.
Farewell! (_Exit tragically_.)

_Arabella_: Good-by! Drop in some night for tea.
(_She stands_ L. _of box, musing_.)
I wonder what an "honest steal" can be!
Perhaps he'll soon return to make it clear.
I hope he does; it's awful lonely here.

(_Jack springs up in the box, holding his gilded club in his right hand. With his left he seizes Arabella by the hair_.)

_Jack_: Be mine! be mine! I'm handsome, wise and rich;
My name is Jackski-in-the-Boxovitch!
In token of my boundless wealth, behold
This weighty war-club, made of massy gold.
My noble castle's built of wood and glue;
Within its walls is ample room for two;
Then be my bride and all my treasure share!
You know, I always fancied auburn hair.

_Arabella_: Help! help! Oh, save me from this horrid fright!

_Jack_: Now, don't call names; it's dreadful impolite.

(_Re-enter Koko_.)

_Koko_: What cries are these? What horror meets my view?
Unhand her, caitiff giant!

_Jack_: Not for you!

_Koko_: Then draw! (_Unsheathing his sword_.)

_Jack_: I can't. I'm not an artist, man. But I can fight.

_Koko_:'Tis time then we began.

_Jack_: Come on!

_Koko_: Come on!

_Jack_: Come on! I said it first

_Koko_: False traitor!

_Jack_: Feeble pigmy, do your worst!

(_They fight. Koko strikes the club from Jack's hand and drives him down into the box_.)

_Koko_: Down! down! In the vile casket whence you sprung
Remain, unwept, unhonored, and unsung!

(_He picks up the golden war-club_.)

_Arabella_: My hero! (_She falls into Koko's arms_.)

_Koko_: Lady, thus the Fates reveal
How conquered gold is won by honest steel.
The tyrant's hoard is ours; and, if you'll deign
To say your Koko's suit is not in vain,
Within this lordly castle, warmed by steam,
We'll live on sugar, strawberries, and cream.

(_Jack pops up with a white handkerchief in one hand and stretches his arms over the pair in front of his box_.)

_Jack_: Bless you, my children!

_Koko (hands on sword)_: What, again!

_Jack (waving the handkerchief)_: Hold, hold!
A truce to war! I would a tale unfold;
So, never let your angry passions rise.
In me you see a fairy in disguise--
A kindly fairy. Thus, with open hands,
I give to valiant Koko wealth and lands.
Fair Arabella! Nature, Fortune, Art,
Have made her perfect--lacking but a heart;
So let her take, that want to cure, I say,
These pleasant tablets, three times every day.
(_He gives her a handful of heart-shaped sugar-candies which she
obediently begins to eat_.)Now for your futures: Koko shall belong
To Master Lee; and, being very strong,
He won't be broken for a month or so.
But Arabella,--her I do bestow
On Baby Maud. Them shall you serve by day;
But oft at night, when toys are tucked away,
When all the house is hushed and no one sees,
We'll here enact such pleasant plays as these
Beneath the Christmas tree.
You've held the floor

_Arabella_ and _Koko (shutting down the cover)_:
For half an hour, Jack. Don't be a bore!

[QUICK CURTAIN.]

End of Project Gutenberg's Christmas Entertainments, by Alice Maude Kellogg