Chapter C: L.--We'll go in single file this time (2)

M.--Oh, fie! How can you be so cruel with the darling child!

F.--We'll wait and see how much work he can do, and if he doesn't succeed, Jack will have to go.

M.--Ah, Jack, it is a great pity you're too stupid to make yourself useful, or else you might have gone, and saved your dear brother the trouble.

J.--I could do it quite well.

M.--No, you wouldn't, you are a great deal too stupid. (_To Tom._) Come, let me lace your boots for you, darling.

CURTAIN.

SCENE II. _A wood._ TOM _alone, a large hamper by his side_.

T.--Well, this isn't such bad fun after all, as long as one can rest. I haven't chopped much wood yet, I thought I'd do it after luncheon. I shall feel so much stronger then, and be able to work twice as hard. Let me see, it must be time to lay the table. (_Opens lid of hamper and looks in._) Ah, this does look good! Sausage rolls, chicken sandwiches, a salad, jam tarts, all kinds of nice things! I am so glad there is no one to share it with me! I How much nicer it is to lunch by one's self.

VOICE.--Ahem! (_From behind the tree._)

(TOM _shuts the lid of the hamper quickly, and looks round_.)

T.--What's that?

(_The sound is repeated. He looks round. A little old man,
dressed all in grey, with a pointed hat, appears._)

GREY MAN.--Good morning, young sir.

T.--Good morning, old creature.

G. M.--You seem to be having a picnic all by yourself.

T.--Yes, fortunately I am all alone. I don't like picnics with other people.

G. M.--That's a pity. I was just going to ask if I might join you.

T.--You!

G. M.--Yes, the fact is I am a long way from my home, and I am hungry, and seeing that large hamper I thought you might be able to spare some food for the tired wayfarer.

T.--Well, I am sorry to say I can't; there happens to be just enough for myself in that hamper.

G. M.--What, can you not even spare me a crust of bread?

T.--No, I shall have to eat it up all myself in order to keep up my strength while I am cutting wood this afternoon.

G. M.--(_Lifting up his hand and speaking in a loud, warning tone._) Take care, young man, lest your meal and your wood-cutting come to an untimely end. (_He goes away._)

T.--Tiresome old creature! He's gone, at any-rate. Now I can lunch in peace. (_Opens lid of hamper. Starts._) Oh, what has happened? Where has everything gone? My beautiful luncheon has disappeared! The sausage rolls have turned to sticks! (_Throws out sticks, leaves, etc., as he speaks._) The salad into dead leaves! The chicken sandwiches and jam tart into brown paper! Oh, what an unfortunate youth I am! Now I shall have no luncheon. It is all because of that horrid grey man. He was an enchanter, I suppose, or a fairy of some kind. Why didn't he say so at once? Then I might have given him a piece of chicken. Well, it's too late now, I suppose. Perhaps I had better cut some wood, there's nothing else to do. There's a tree that would be easy enough.

(_Goes out_ R. _carrying his axe over his shoulder_. _A cry is
heard._)

Oh, dear! Oh, dear me! (_Comes in again holding his arm._) Oh, I've chopped my hand nearly off! Oh, what a day of misfortunes this is! I must go home and send for the doctor, while my mother makes me some jelly and arrowroot.

(_Ties handkerchief round his neck as a sling. Puts left hand
into it. Exit carrying hamper and axe._)

CURTAIN.

SCENE. III. _The same._

_Enter_ JACK _with a small basket_.

J.--Ah, now I think I'll sit down and have my luncheon. Working so hard has made me rather hungry. (_Looks off_ L.) That's a great heap of wood, I must say, to have cut in two hours. I wonder what my mother has put into the basket? Tom took such good things away with him yesterday--but my mother said she had nothing for me except some bones the dog had left, and some stale pieces of crust that had been thrown away. (_Looks into basket._) Never mind, a good appetite and a good conscience make everything taste well. So here goes!

(_Sits down. Draws handkerchief over his knees._)

VOICE (_Heard behind him._)--Ahem!

J.--(_Looks round._) What's that? Somebody about? I am going to have a companion it seems.

G. M.--(_Coming out._) Good morning, young gentleman.

J.--(_Getting up and taking off his hat._) Good morning, sir.

G. M.--What! Were you picnicking alone in the wood?

J.--I was, yes.

G. M.--Do you object to be joined by a companion?

J.--On the contrary, I should like it--the more the merrier.

G. M.--To tell you the truth, I am very hungry. I have been out all day, and am far from my home.

J.--I only wish I had some food for you more worthy of your acceptance--but such as it is, you are heartily welcome to it. Pray take it all. There is not much, but what there is you are quite welcome to have--I can wait till I get home again.

G. M.--Generous youth! Your kindness of heart shall be rewarded. Look again at the contents of your basket, and you will find them better than you imagined.

J.--(_Looking into the basket._) Oh, how exciting! What do I see? Mutton cutlets, cold partridge, cheese-cakes, grapes, bananas! Oh, how delightful! Now you will share with me, won't you?

(_Holds out the basket to the old man._)

G. M.--No, my dear boy. I only asked you for some to prove you--and seeing how deserving you are, I will reward you still further. (_Points off_ L. _at the wood_.) Take your axe and cut down that tree. You will find a bird at the root: she is yours. Farewell, and luck go with you. (_Exit._)

J.--Why, he must be a magician! What a delightful person to meet! I must go and cut down that tree at once. I'll just have a cheese-cake to keep me going.

(_Crams a cheese-cake into his mouth and goes out. Sounds of
chopping heard._ JACK _rushes in again with a golden goose in
one hand and a nest with golden eggs in the other_.)

J.--It was a golden goose, sitting on a nest of golden eggs! Oh, how splendid! Now my father need never cut wood again--we shall all be rich. I must rush home, and show them what I have found. (_Exit hurriedly with the goose and the nest._)

CURTAIN.

SCENE IV. Same as Scene I.

FATHER, MOTHER, TOM (_lying on a couch_).

M.--How are you, my dear boy? Feeling better?

T.--A little better. I think I could eat a jam puff now, and some almonds and raisins.

M.--You shall have them at once.

F.--In the meanwhile, I hope Jack is cutting more wood than you did, or I don't know what will happen.

M.--It's very unlikely that Jack should do anything better than Tom. If he has, it will be the first time it has ever happened.

_Enter_ JACK.

F.--I think I hear him. Well, have you brought us back any wood?

J.--Indeed, I have. But first, I must show you this glorious bird--my golden goose!

M.--A golden goose! Where did you find it?

J.--It was sitting at the root of a tree I cut down.

M.--Why, Tom, how was it you didn't find it?

T.--Because of my accident, of course. If I hadn't hurt my hand I certainly should have found it in another minute.

J.--It was a little grey man with a pointed cap who told me where to look for it.

T.--(_Aside._) Horrid little creature! I wish I had offered him some luncheon! (_Aloud._) He told me all about it. He intended it for me, so you had better hand it over.

(TOM _grasps at the goose_. JACK _pulls it away_. TOM _gets up
with it_.)

T.--What has happened to the thing? I can't get away from it!

M.--Oh, my dear boy, what can have happened!

(_Tries to drag_ TOM _away, but sticks_.)

T.--Go away, Mother. Don't hold on to me any more.

M.--I can't get away. (FATHER _tries to drag them away_.)

M.--Go away, Father!

F.--I can't, I'm stuck fast.

M.--I knew something stupid would happen if Jack went into the wood! bringing birds you stick to like fly-paper instead of proper faggots.

J.--(_Smiling._) You shouldn't have tried to take my goose away from me.

T.--Well, now, you have had your joke, call your goose off, please.

J.--I can't call it off! I don't know how.

(_Enter_ GREY MAN.)

G. M.--I am the only person who can do it, because I am a powerful magician, and that golden goose is mine.

M.--Yours!

G. M.--Yes, and I gave it to Jack to reward him for a good, hard-working, generous boy, instead of being a lazy, selfish, unmannerly one like his brother yonder.

T.--Of course, if I had known who you were, I should have been civil to you.

G. M.--I daresay, yes, but you will find it more useful as you go through life to be civil to strangers, even when you don't know who they are. And now Jack, come with me and you shall live in a beautiful palace, where you shall marry a princess. As for you, you may let go the golden goose for ever (_they all fall back_), for you will remain humble wood-cutters all your lives. And, remember, it is only the deserving--especially the polite--who find the Golden Goose.

CURTAIN.

CINDERELLA.

A PLAY IN FOUR SCENES.

CHARACTERS.

THE MOTHER.
THE FAIRY GODMOTHER.
MABEL.
THE PRINCE.
LUCY.
HERALD.
PEGGY (called CINDERELLA).
LORDS and LADIES at BALL, etc.

CINDERELLA.

SCENE I.

(_The mother sitting with daughters._)

MOTHER.--(_To_ LUCY.) What are you reading, my darling child? How sweet you look, lying there, buried in your book.

LUCY.--Yes Mamma, I thought I did. It's the story of a beautiful prince.

M.--Delightful, my dear! The story of a prince--yes, just the story for you to read. (_To_ MABEL.) And you, my poppet, what is it you are doing?

MABEL.--I am thinking, Mamma.

M.--Thinking? Yes, that is just like you. Ah, you were always so clever, my chickabiddy. (_To_ PEGGY.) As for you, what are you doing here, plain, stupid girl, wasting the time, when you ought to be doing your work?

PEGGY.--I am very sorry, I thought there was nothing to do at this present moment.

M.--Nothing to do indeed! A pretty story! Is all the house-work done?

P.--Everything.

L.--Are the buttons sewn on my long white gloves, for the ball to-night?

P.--Yes, they are.

MAB.--And is my beautiful ball-dress laid out on the bed?

P.--Everything is ready.

M.--Very well, my children, you had better go and dress.

L.--(_Jumping up with joy._) Oh, how delightful! Come along, Mabel!

MAB.--(_Delighted._) Oh, what fun it will be!

M.--Now, Peggy, what are you doing? Go and help them to dress, you know their frocks lace behind.

P.--(_Going._) Very well. (_Stopping at door._) Mamma!

M.--Well, what is it? What a long time you waste in chattering always!

P.--I suppose I might not go to the ball for a little while?

M.--You, Peggy, you at the ball? (_Laughs._) I never heard anything so absurd.

L.--And what would you wear, pray? A dish-cloth, trimmed with dusters?

MAB.--No, no, my dear girl, you are very well in your place--that is, the chimney-corner. I would stay there if I were you.

M.--Now, come along, stupid, and don't forget the safety-pins.

P.--Oh, I wish I were going too!

CURTAIN.

SCENE II. _The Same._

(PEGGY _alone_.)

P.--I had better go to bed, I suppose--there is nothing else for me to do. Well, I do think it is a shame to leave me here alone, while they are enjoying themselves at the ball! I should so like to have a smart gown that laced behind--it would make one feel so grand to have a gown one couldn't fasten one's self. But, alas! that is a pleasure I shall never know. (_Hides her face in her hands._)

_Enter_ GODMOTHER.

GODMOTHER.--Why Peggy, you little Cinderella! What's the matter now?

P.--Oh!

G.--Do you know who I am?

P.--I am sorry to say I don't.

G.--Well, I'll tell you presently who I am. In the meantime, you tell me why you are sitting all by yourself in this way, looking into the fire in that dismal manner.

P.--I am unhappy because I am not at the ball. I should like to have a fine dress, and drive off in a coach with the others.

G.--Nothing is easier. I'll manage that for you in five minutes.

P.--You! Oh, how delightful! Is it possible?

G.--Certainly. I am your fairy godmother, so I can give you anything you wish for.

P.--Oh, how enchanting! Then, the first thing I wish for is a beautiful dress.

G.--You shall have it. Go inside that dark cupboard, close your eyes, then turn round three times, while I repeat a spell--and come out and see what has happened.

P.--Well, this is exciting! (_Goes into cupboard._)

(GODMOTHER _waves her wand and repeats verse_.)

Wavy, wavy, Wando Wum,
Fairy powers hither come,
Come to turn the world about,
Topsy-turvy, inside out,
Turn the darkness into light,
Turn the rags to silver bright.
Wavy, wavy, Wando Wum,
Fairy powers quickly come.

(CINDERELLA _comes out in a beautiful dress_.)

P.--Oh, am I not like a princess?

G.--You are indeed! Now, what next?

P.--Next, I must have a coach to go to the ball in.

G.--Of course. Look out of the window, and tell me what you see, and if there is anything we can make a coach of.

P.--I'm afraid not. I can only see a pumpkin lying on the ground, and two large brown rats behind it, and six little mice darting in and out.

G.--The very thing! That will do perfectly. Now, I am going to repeat another spell, and while I wave my wand, you look out of the window and tell me what happens.

(_Repeats last two lines of spell and waves wand._)

P.--Oh, Godmother! Quick! The pumpkin has turned into a beautiful, glass coach!

G.--I thought it would! (_Waves wand again._) Anything else?

P.--Yes! Yes! The two brown rats have changed into a coachman and footman.

G.--(_Waves wand._) Anything else?

P.--Yes! Yes! The little mice have turned into six beautiful horses with long tails and harness shining with silver.

G.--Well, will that do to drive you to the ball, do you think?

P.--Oh, Godmother, how delightful! Let me get into it and drive off!

G.--One moment, Cinderella! I must make a condition before you start. You must promise not to remain at the ball after midnight. If you are there after the last stroke of twelve, your beautiful silver clothes will disappear, and you will have on your rags again.

P.--Oh, I promise, dear Godmother. Of course I will leave before twelve.

G.--Then come, Princess Cinderella! your glass coach stops the way.

CURTAIN.

SCENE III.

_A ball-room. People walking about._ LUCY _and_ MABEL, _in ball-dresses, sitting one on each side of their mother_.

L.--How very odd it is that nobody comes and asks us to dance!

MAB.--I can't understand it at all.

L.--It isn't as if we were not beautiful.

MAB.--It seems so strange we are not singled out.

M.--My dear girls, the fact is, you are so beautiful, and so well dressed, that people don't dare to ask you. I am sure that is what it is.

L.--I saw the prince looking longingly at me a little while ago, but just as he was going to invite me to dance, he was called away to meet a foreign princess.

MAB.--Of course, if she were a princess, he couldn't help going to meet her. I wonder who she was? She had on the most beautiful silver shoes.

M.--Here is the Court herald, passing through the hall, ask him her name. Oh, sir! I beg your pardon!--

(HERALD _stops_.)

Can you tell me who the lady in silver was, who was dancing with the prince just now?

HERALD.--She was announced as the Princess of the Silver Mountain.

M.--The Princess of the Silver Mountain! Indeed!

L.--She looked like it, I am sure.

M.--The reason why I ask is, the prince had been going to dance with my daughter, and he was obliged to leave her for this lady.

H.--Oh, indeed!

L.--So, you see, I have no partner in consequence.

H.--What a pity!

M.--My girls are both passionately fond of dancing.

H.--Indeed! that is a charming taste.

MAB.--It is not surprising we should like it, we dance very beautifully.

H.--I congratulate you. I hope I shall have an opportunity of seeing your performance.

(_Bows and passes on._)

L.--Oh, what a very rude man!

MAB.--I can't understand it at all. I quite thought we should have been the belles of the ball.

M.--Then suppose, my children, we go to the refreshment-room and have some ices? Perhaps we may find some partners there. (_Gets up._)

L.--Come, then.

M.--Oh, here comes the princess, leaning on the prince's arm.

(_Enter the_ PRINCE _and_ CINDERELLA. LUCY, MABEL, _and the_
MOTHER _make sweeping curtseys_.)

CINDERELLA.--What strange-looking ladies!

(_Mother and daughters start._)

PRINCE.--They are, indeed! But let us talk of yourself, princess. (_They go on speaking in low voices._)

MAB.--Did you hear her, Mother? Did you hear those insulting words?

M.--Never mind, it's no good quarrelling with princes. Come and have some strawberry ice.

(_They go out._)

P.--Now, tell me about this wonderful place where you live, for I have not heard of it before. The Silver Mountain! What an enchanting spot it sounds! It must be Fairy-land!

C.--It is, indeed, in Fairy-land!

P.--I was sure of it--a fit abode for so ethereal a being as yourself. You were nourished, I feel sure, on no mortal food--your dainty, beautiful clothes were woven by no mortal hands--they were spun by elves and fairies in some enchanted, far-away spot.

C.--Indeed, I believe they were.

P.--Adorable creature! Come, tell me where this Silver Mountain is, that I may find my way to it over every obstacle.

C.--But there is the music beginning again! We should be dancing, your highness.

P.--What delicious simplicity! Are you then so fond of dancing?

C.--I love it, but I so seldom get a chance.

P.--Of course, yes, you are hedged in, I daresay, by the etiquette of your court.

C.--Precisely.

(_Dancers waltz in._)

P.--Come, then, let us join the dance too.

(_They dance._ _The_ MOTHER, LUCY, _and_ MABEL _look enviously
at the dancers_. _They curtsey as the_ PRINCE _passes them_.
_The clock begins to strike twelve._ CINDERELLA _starts_.)

P.--What, tired already!

C.--No, no, but I must go at once! instantly!

(_She rushes out, leaving a slipper behind her._)

P.--What! she has gone! and in such haste, that she has left one of her dainty slippers behind her. I must fly to restore it to her. Princess! Adored one! come back! (_Rushes out._)

CURTAIN.

SCENE IV.

_Room in the cottage, same as in_ SCENES I. _and_ II.

MAB.--(_Yawning._) Oh dear, I am so tired!

L.--I do wish you would leave off saying that. That is the ninth time you have yawned during the last five minutes.

M.--My dears, going to a ball doesn't seem to have improved your temper.

MAB.--I don't quite see why it should.

C.--I suppose it was dancing so much that tired you?

L.--Of course it was--we had to dance the whole time, from the moment we entered the room.

MAB.--There were many people we were obliged to refuse, and they were heart-broken.

L.--But, of course, when the prince asked us, we were obliged to throw over the others.

C.--(_Smiling aside._) And the prince danced with you a great deal, then?

L.--Indeed, he did, nearly all the time, till a strange princess came, then he was obliged to leave us.

C.--A strange princess! What was she like?

M.--Now I think of it, she was something like you--was she not, girls?

MAB.--(_Laughing._) Ha! ha! so she was!

L.--Only she was beautiful, and you are very ugly.

MAB.--And she had beautiful silver clothes.

C.--I should like to wear silver clothes.

M.--Peggy, do not let me hear you say such foolish things again. It's all very well for your step-sisters to wear such clothes, but for you!!

(_A sound of a trumpet heard._)

MAB.--Why, what can that be?

(_Mother and daughters rush to back to look out of window._)

C.--(_Aside._) Oh, if it were the prince!

M.--It is a magnificent herald--the herald we saw last night! He is reading a proclamation to the people, and the prince is behind him!

C.--The Prince!! (_Waves to_ PRINCE, _unseen by the others_.)

(_The_ HERALD _stops outside the window_.)

H.--(_In a loud voice._) "Be it known to all the loyal subjects of Prince Charming, our lord and master, that yesterday evening, at the ball, an embroidered silver slipper was picked up. The prince has commanded that the said slipper shall be carried through the length and breadth of his dominions, until he finds the owner of it. When the owner of it is discovered, that said owner shall become the Princess Charming, and shall share our lord and master's throne."

M.--My dear girls, what a chance for you! If you can put on the shoe, you will become the princess.

MAB.--The herald is stopping before this door. Quick! quick! Let us sit in pretty attitudes.

(LUCY _and_ MABEL _group themselves picturesquely_.)

L.--But Peggy must not be here, Mother! Go away, Peggy, quick!

M.--Rush, child, rush! Don't let any one see you.

C.--May I not stay to see the silver shoe?

M.--You! Of course not! Why the very look of you would spoil all our chances. (_Pushing her._) Quick! quick! they are just coming in.

(_Bundles_ PEGGY _out of door_ L. _just as the_ HERALD _comes
in_ R. _He blows trumpet._)

H.--His Royal Highness, Prince Charming.

(_Enter_ PRINCE. MOTHER, LUCY, _and_ MABEL _curtsey_.)

M.--Oh, your highness, this is too kind, pray sit down.

(_She advances a chair. The other two curtsey, one on each side
of him._)

H.--We wish to know if any lady in this house lost a shoe at the ball last night? For, if so, her shoe has been found.

M.--(_Eagerly._) What a singular thing! Now you mention it, one of my daughters lost a shoe--indeed, they both did.

H.--Indeed! Is it anything like this? (_Produces shoe._)

L.--Why, that looks to me like the very one.

P.--Try it on, please, madam.

L.--(_Holding out her foot, making faces while the_ HERALD _puts it on_.) Why, of course, that is mine, it fits me exactly.

M.--It fits the darling girl as if it had been made for her. Walk round the room in it, my love.

(LUCY _hobbles round the room, limping violently_.)

M.--Oh, there is no doubt, your highness, that that is hers.

P.--Didn't I notice a slight limp as she walked?

M.--Oh dear no, your highness, I don't think so.

P.--All the same, I think she had better take it off.

M.--And you, Mabel, didn't you say you had lost one of your shoes?

MAB.--Yes! I remember when I undressed noticing that I had lost it.

M.--Then, of course, it must be yours.

(_The_ HERALD _kneels beside her, tries to force on the shoe,
while_ MABEL _makes faces of agony_.)

MAB.--Oh, not a doubt, that is mine. (_Stands up._)

H.--Your heel is quite out of it still.

MAB.--That is how I always wear my shoes.

M.--That is what gives her such a springy, graceful walk.

(MABEL _tries to walk round the room, clattering the shoe behind
her_.)

P.--No, I am afraid that won't do at all.

MAB.--(_Shaking it off._) It's very hard not being allowed to have my own shoe back again.

P.--(_To the_ MOTHER.) Are there no more young girls in this house, whom the shoe would be likely to fit?

M.--Alas, these two fair ones are my only joys.

P.--Yet, I thought, as I passed the window, I saw another.

M.--Oh, your highness, I beg your pardon--that was only our scullion, looking out to see you. Naughty thing!

P.--I wish to see her.

L.--Oh, really, your highness!

MAB.--She is a most unprepossessing girl!

P.--Send for her instantly, or I will have you all beheaded.

M.--(_Quickly._) Anything, anything, to oblige your highness.

(_Calls_ PEGGY.)

(CINDERELLA _appears in the doorway, with her eyes cast down_.
PRINCE _jumps up and bows very low_. LUCY, MABEL, _and_ MOTHER,
_turn away their eyes in disgust_.)

H.--Sit down here, fair maiden, and try on this silver shoe.

P.--Nay, no one shall kneel here but me. (_Kneels in front of_ CINDERELLA, _who puts on the shoe without difficulty_.) There, I think, is the foot it fits, there is no doubt about that.

M.--I fear your highness is being imposed upon--that shoe could never have belonged to that ragged Cinderella.

C.--Indeed it did--I have the fellow to it.

(_Pulls the other out of her pocket. Gets up and dances round in
it._)

P.--There is no doubt to whom the slipper belongs. Come, Princess Charming, let me lead you to your palace!

M.--One moment, if you please, your royal highness! the girl is a scullion!

L.--You have only to look at her clothes!

MAB.--Mine would be far fitter to adorn a throne!

_Enter_ FAIRY GODMOTHER.

G.--The clothes are my business--I will see that Princess Charming is not dressed like a scullion.

C.--My fairy godmother!

ALL.--Her fairy godmother!

G.--The same. So, Cinderella, if you will step into that dark cupboard while I recite a magic spell, you shall be changed into a beautiful princess.

(CINDERELLA _enters the cupboard_. _The_ FAIRY GODMOTHER
_recites spell, waves wand_. CINDERELLA _comes out dressed as
she was at the ball_. _Mother and daughters start._)

G.--Now, my child, no one can say you look like a scullion.

L. and M.--The Princess of the Silver Mountain!

G.--The same, whom you left sitting in the ashes, but who went to the ball after all--

P.--And was the most beautiful princess there.

(_Bows and kisses her hand._)

M.--I wish, my darlings, I had chosen a fairy for your godmother, instead of those silly aunts of yours.

L.--I must say, it is very hard on us that a chit like that should have the best of everything.

G.--Come, if you say one word more, I will repeat my spell backwards over you, and then all your clothes will change to rags.

M.--Come, then, my pretty poppets, come away with me, you are not appreciated here as you deserve.

L.--No, we are not admired as we ought to be.

P.--Pray, madam, do not let us turn you out, as we are going ourselves. Come, my princess.

(_Offers his hand._)

H.--(_Loudly._) Bring forward the princess's golden coach!

G.--(_Waving wand._) Be happy, my Cinderella!

CURTAIN.

THE ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS LIMITED.

_By the same Author._

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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE

Missing punctuation has been silently added. The publisher's advertising was moved to the end. Three substantive changes were made to the text:

In LITTLE PETSY, "MRS. S." was changed to "MRS. R." in the stage direction in the following passage:

MRS. S.--If you'll take great care of it, yes. (_To_ MRS. R.) Did
you ever hear such ideas as the child has? Such an active mind,
never quiet!

In MISS DOBSON, "ace" was changed to "face" in the following stage direction:

(_Hides her face in her hands. The others go towards the door. A
bell is heard. They stop._)

In FOOLISH JACK, "That" was changed to "That's" in the passage:

That's just what Goody Grumbles said.