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diff --git a/14786-0.txt b/14786-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c44076d --- /dev/null +++ b/14786-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,946 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14786 *** + +Up The Chimney + +BY + +SHEPHERD KNAPP + +[Illustration] + + + + +Preface + + +This play is intended, not only for acting, but also for reading. +It is so arranged that boys and girls can read it to themselves, just +as they would read any other story. Even the stage directions and the +descriptions of scenery are presented as a part of the narrative. +At the same time, by the use of different styles of type, the speeches +of the characters are clearly distinguished from the rest of the text, +an arrangement which will be found convenient when parts are being +memorized for acting. + +The play has been acted more than once, and by different groups of +people; sometimes on a stage equipped with footlights, curtain, and +scenery; sometimes with barely any of these aids. Practical suggestions +as to costumes, scenery, and some simple scenic effects will be found +at the end of the play. + +What sort of a Christmas play do the boys and girls like, and in what +sort do we like to see them take part? It should be a play, surely, in +which the dialogue is simple and natural, not stilted and artificial; +one that seems like a bit of real life, and yet has plenty of fancy and +imagination in it; one that suggests and helps to perpetuate some of +the happy and wholesome customs of Christmas; above all, one that is +pervaded by the Christmas spirit. I hope that this play does not +entirely fail to meet these requirements. + +Worcester, Mass. + +SHEPHERD KNAPP. + + + + +The Introduction + + +_Before the curtain opens_, MOTHER GOOSE _comes out, and this is +what she says_: + +Good evening, dear children. I see you are all expecting me to show you +a Christmas Play. Well, I have one ready, sure enough. And now let me +see, what shall I tell you about it? For one thing it will take place on +Christmas Eve, and then it will be all about Christmas, of course. The +first scene will be in the house, where a little girl and a little boy +live, with their father, who is a doctor, and their mother. It is +evening and the weather is very cold outside. The little girl and boy +are writing letters--can you guess to whom they are writing?--and the +mother is knitting, and the father is reading his newspaper; as you will +see in a moment for yourselves. So be very quiet, for now it is going to +begin. + + + + +Up The Chimney + + +The First Scene + + +_The curtain opens, and you see a room in a house and four people, +just as Mother Goose promised. On one side is a fire-place, and notice +the stockings hanging by it. At the back is a window, looking out into +the street, but you cannot see anything there, because it is dark out of +doors. The little girl's name is Polly, but the first one to speak is +her brother, named_ JACK, _who looks up from his letter and +says_: + +Mother, how do you spell "friend"? + +MOTHER _answers_: F, r, i, e, n, d. Have you nearly finished your +letter, Jack? + +Yes, _says_ JACK, _still writing. Then he stops, straightens up +and says_, There! It's all done. Shall I read it to you, Mother? + +Do, MOTHER _answers. And Father puts down his newspaper to listen, and +Polly stops writing. Mother goes on knitting, because she can knit and +listen at the same time_. + +_So_ JACK _reads_: "Dear Santa Claus, I have been very +good this year--most of the time; and I wish you would +bring me a toy soldier. I am very well and I hope you are. +Your loving little friend, Jack." Is that all right, Mother? + +It is a very good letter, _says_ MOTHER; only I thought you were +going to speak about that pair of warm gloves for Father. + +Oh, I forget that, _says_ JACK, _looking a little bit +ashamed_. I'll put it in a postscript. _So he goes on writing, and +so does Polly_. JACK _says his words aloud while he writes +them_: "P.S.--Fa--ather--would--like--a--pair--of--warm--gloves." + +MOTHER _looks over at Polly, who seems to have finished, and says_: +Polly, let us hear your letter. + +_So_ POLLY _reads_: "Dear Santa Claus, I am so glad that +tomorrow is Christmas. We have all hung up our stockings, and I think I +would like best to have a doll in short dresses. I love you very much. +Your little friend, Polly. P.S.--I think Mother would like a ball of +white knitting cotton." I had to put that in a postscript, Mother, +because I forgot, too. + +_And now_ FATHER, _who has been listening all this time, +says_: Where will you put the letters?--on the mantel-piece or in the +stockings? + +Oh, on the mantel-piece, _answers_ JACK. We always put them on the +mantel-piece. Don't you remember that, Father? + +Yes, I believe I do, now that you speak of it, _says_ FATHER. + +_Then the children put the two letters on the mantel-piece, standing +them against the clock, so that they can be easily seen. While they are +doing this, some one passes the window, walking along the street, and +there comes a knock at the door_. + +Come in, _says_ FATHER; _and in comes a little woman, rather old, +and rather bent, and rather lame_. + +Why, if it isn't little Nurse Mary, _cries_ FATHER, _and they all +rise up to greet her. She kisses both the children, and shakes hands +with Father and Mother._ + +Here's a chair for you, Nurse Mary, _says_ JACK. + +Let me take your cloak and hood, Nurse Mary, _says_ POLLY. + +_When they were all seated again_, FATHER _says_, I am afraid +I shall have to give you a little scolding, Mary, for coming out on such +a cold night. It really don't do, you know. + +Now, Doctor John, NURSE MARY _answers_, What do you expect? +Haven't I seen you every Christmas Eve since you were half the size of +Master Jack here, and didn't I knit with my own hands the first little +stocking you ever hung up for Santa Claus, and don't I remember how +frightened you were that time when we heard the reindeers on the roof, +and when the handful of walnuts came tumbling down the chimney? And do +you expect me to stay away on Christmas Eve, like some lonely old woman, +who never was nurse to any children at all, let alone two generations of +them? What are you thinking of, Doctor John? + +I am thinking, _says_ FATHER _smiling_, that if you hadn't +come, we should have missed you dreadfully. But tell me, Nurse Mary, how +are you feeling? + +Well, _answers_ NURSE MARY, to speak the truth, Doctor John, I +think you must give me some medicine. + +Medicine? _cries_ MOTHER. + +Are you sick, Nurse Mary? _asks_ POLLY. + +Yes, Miss Polly, sick, and very sick, too, NURSE MARY _answers_. + +But how? _asks_ FATHER. What's wrong? Where is the trouble? + +First of all, in my back, Doctor John, _says_ NURSE MARY. Today, +after sweeping and scrubbing a little, and baking a Christmas cake, I +just ironed out a few pieces, my best cap and apron, and the likes of +that, and before I had finished, I give you word my back began to ache. +Now what do you make of it? And then, my joints--stiff! Yes, Dr. John, +stiff! How am I to do my work with stiff joints, I'd like to know? + +I see, _says_ FATHER, _shaking his head._ This is a serious +matter. But cheer up, Nurse Mary; I believe I have the very thing that +will help you. _He opens his medicine case, which stands on the table, +and takes out a little bottle._ Here it is, _he says_, and let +me tell you how to take it; for with this medicine that is the most +important part. You must find some children to give it to you. If you +take it from grown-up people, it will do you no good at all, so you must +find a child somewhere, or two would be better, one to pour it out and +one to hold the spoon-- + +Oh, let me pour it out, _cries_ JACK. + +And let me hold the spoon, _cries_ POLLY. + +Why, that will do finely, _says_ FATHER, _and hands Jack the +bottle._ And now I must go out, _he continues_; for old Mrs. +Cavendish is sick and has sent for me. It may be quite late, when I come +home. _He begins to put on his overcoat._ + +And I, _says_ MOTHER, have some Christmas bundles to tie up. If +Nurse Mary goes before I come back, will you both go quietly to bed like +good children? + +Yes, Mother, _cry_ POLLY _and_ JACK _together._ + +Well, good night, then, Mary dear, _says_ MOTHER. + +Good night, Nurse Mary, _says_ FATHER. _Then Mother and Father +both go out, the one to her own room and the other to the street._ + +Come, Nurse Mary, _says_ JACK, you must take your medicine. + +Do you suppose it is very bitter? _asks_ NURSE MARY. + +I think it is, _says_ JACK, _looking into the bottle and smelling +it_. It looks bitter and it smells bitter. + +But you mustn't mind that, Nurse Mary, _says_ POLLY; because it +will make you well. + +All right, _says_ NURSE MARY. Pour it out. + +_Then Polly holds the spoon, and Jack carefully pours the medicine +into it. Nurse Mary opens her mouth, swallows the dose, and makes a wry +face, shuddering._ + +Was it horrid? _asks_ JACK. + +Horrid! _answers_ NURSE MARY. + +Do you feel better? _asks_ POLLY. + +I can't tell yet, _answers_ NURSE MARY. I suppose I must wait a +little for the medicine to work. + +And while we are waiting, _says_ JACK, tell us about when Father +was a little boy. + +_So Nurse Mary sits down, and takes Polly on her lap, while Jack sits +on a stool at her feet, and then_ NURSE MARY _begins_, When Dr. +John was a very little boy-- + +But, Nurse Mary, JACK _says, interrupting_, he wasn't named "Dr. +John" then, was he? + +No, _answers_ NURSE MARY, he was just "Master John" then. Well, +when he was a very little boy, so that I could carry him upstairs to bed +without any trouble at all, he was the most beautiful boy you ever saw. +He had fat rosy cheeks, and fine big eyes, and stout little legs. + +Was he big enough to walk, when you first took care of him? _asks_ +POLLY. + +No, indeed, _answers_ NURSE MARY; and the first time he ever went +to a Christmas tree, I had to carry him. I held him up to see the +candles. + +Did he like it? _asks_ JACK. + +I think that he was just a wee bit frightened, _says_ NURSE MARY, +but I'll tell you what he did like. You know the little figures of Mary +and Joseph and the Christ Child in the manger, that you always set out +on Christmas Day, with the cows and the sheep standing all about? _The +children both nod_. Well, when your father saw that, and heard your +grandparents and all the older brothers and sisters singing "The Carol +of the Friendly Beasts"--just as you will sing it again tomorrow--he +held out his hands and danced up and down in my arms. I tell you, I +could hardly hold him. + +Nurse Mary, _says_ POLLY, won't you sing us "The Carol of the +Friendly Beasts" now? + +In my old cracked voice? _says_ NURSE MARY. Well, if you will both +help me, I'll try. + +_So the three of them together sing_: + + +THE CAROL OF THE FRIENDLY BEASTS[1] + + Jesus our brother, strong and good, + Was humbly born in a stable rude, + And the friendly beasts around him stood. + + I, said the cow, all white and red, + I gave him my manger for his bed, + I gave him my hay to pillow his head. + + I, said the camel, yellow and black, + Over the desert, upon my back, + I brought him a gift in the wise man's pack. + + I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown, + I carried his mother uphill and down, + I carried her safely to Bethlehem town. + + I, said the sheep, with the curly horn, + I gave him my wool for his blanket warm, + He wore my coat on Christmas morn. + + I, said the dove, from my rafter high, + Cooed him to sleep that he should not cry, + We cooed him to sleep my mate and I. + + And every beast, by some good spell + In the stable dark, was glad to tell + Of the gift he gave Immanuel. + + +[Footnote 1: By Robert Davis.] + + +_When the carol is finished_, NURSE MARY _looks at the clock, and +says_, My dears, it is time we were all in bed, or Santa Claus when +he comes, will find us awake, and that would never do. So I must be +going home. + +But how do you feel? _asks_ POLLY. Has the medicine done your back +good? + +My back? _says_ NURSE MARY. Why, I had forgotten all about my +back--not an ache in it. + +And your joints? _asks_ JACK. + +I wouldn't know I had any joints, _answers_ NURSE MARY. I declare, +I believe I could dance the Highland Fling. But where is my cloak? + +_Then Polly gets the cloak and hood, and helps her put them on, and as +Nurse Mary goes out at the door_, + +Good-night, Nurse Mary, _cry_ JACK _and_ POLLY. + +Good-night, my dears, NURSE MARY _answers. And the door closes behind +her_. + +_Now while the children had their backs turned, a funny thing +happened, for out of the fire-place there stepped, without making a +sound, a little man dressed all in green. Jack and Polly, when they turn +about, see him standing there._ + +Why, who are you? _asks_ JACK, _standing still, but very bravely +keeping in front of Polly._ + +_The little green man says never a word, but after waiting a moment +with his finger on his lips, he beckons to them to come forward, and +slowly, for they are a little frightened, they obey him. When they are +quite close, he looks cautiously around, and then draws a large white +letter out of his pocket, and hands it to Jack. Jack looks at it, and +shows it to Polly. Then he looks at the little green man, who nods his +head with a funny little jerk._ + +Shall I open it? _asks_ JACK. _And the little green man nods +again. So Jack opens it._ + +Shall I read it? _asks_ JACK. _And the little green man nods +again. So Jacks begins to read:_ "My dear Children all over the +world, I, who write you this letter, am your old friend Santa Claus, +and how shall I tell you the sad news, for tonight is the night when +I ought to get into my reindeer sleigh and go about filling your precious +stockings with Christmas gifts, and I cannot do it because I am sick. +My back aches like a tooth ache, and every joint in my whole body is +so stiff that I can hardly move. Old Father Time, who pretends to be +something of a doctor, says the trouble is that I am growing old--the +idea of it! I sent him packing about his business, I can tell you. But +all the same I do feel mighty queer, and that's a fact. And the worst of +it is that this is Christmas Eve, and here I am shut up indoors in my +house at the North Pole, and every stocking in the world is hanging +empty. I cannot bear to have Christmas come and go without any word at +all from me, so I have gotten my good little friends the gnomes and +fairies and elves to help me out. They had some old fairy toys, that are +almost as good as new, and these they are going to carry about to all +the children; and although these gifts are rather different from what +you usually receive from me, I hope they will at least keep you from +forgetting poor old Santa Claus." + +_Jack and Polly look sadly at one another, and then at the little +green man. He reaches out his hand, takes the letter, folds it up, +replaces it in the envelope, and tucks it away in his pocket. Then he +brings out two little packages, all in green paper, tied with green +string, and gives one to Polly and one to Jack. Then, quick as a flash, +he has disappeared in the fire-place._ + +Where did he go to? _asks_ POLLY, _after a moment of +surprise._ + +Up the chimney, _says_ JACK. + +But what has he given to us? _says_ POLLY, _looking at the little +green package in her hand._ + +Let's open them, _says_ JACK. + +_So the two children untie the strings, and open the papers, and soon +hold up the things they have found inside. Jack has a pair of spectacles +with large round glasses and black rims. Polly has a curious little +brown cap. They look at them in perplexity._ + +Oh, there is some writing fastened to mine, _says_ POLLY. + +And to mine, too, _adds_ JACK. + +POLLY _reads:_ + + "A fairy wishing-cap am I; + So put me on, and away you fly. + Wherever you wish, 'tis there you'll be, + And quicker than saying three-times-three." + + +_Polly puts the cap on her head. Then_ JACK _reads_: + + "Fairy spectacles are we; + Put us on, and you shall see + Things you never saw before, + Easy as saying four-times-four." + + +_Jack puts the spectacles on his nose, and begins to go about the room +looking at everything through them_. + +Oh, Polly, _he exclaims_, I can see all sorts of queer things. I +can see what is in the table drawer without opening it, and I can see +the pictures in the books right through the covers. And oh, Polly, look +here. _He is looking into the fire-place, when he says this_. I can +see now how the little green man went up the chimney, for there are +steps in the side, all the way up. Look at them. + +POLLY _looks. Then she says_, I don't see any steps, Jack. + +It's the fairy spectacles, Polly, _cries_ JACK. Isn't it wonderful? + +Jack! _says_ POLLY _suddenly_, do you know what we must do? +We must go to Santa Claus, and carry him the medicine that cured Nurse +Mary's back and joints. You will go first up the chimney, and I will go +after, stepping just where I see you step, and then at the top I will +take tight hold of your hand, and with my wishing cap on I will wish to +be at Santa Claus' house at the North Pole. + +Splendid! Let's start this minute, _cries_ JACK. + +_Polly takes the spoon, and Jack takes the medicine bottle, and one +after the other they go up the chimney._ + +_A moment later_ MOTHER _comes in._ Children, _she begins, +looking about; but then she continues_, Oh, I see: they have gone to +bed. _She goes across to the other door and listens. Then she +says_: Not a sound! They are fast asleep already. + +_So she takes the lamp from the table, and carries it out with her, +leaving the room all in black darkness._ + +_And that is the end of the First Scene._ + + * * * * * + + + + +Interlude + + +_While the curtain is closed_, MOTHER GOOSE _comes out, and this +is what she says:_ + +Children, did you see Jack and Polly go up that chimney? Well, as soon +as they got to the top, Polly took fast hold of Jack's hand and wished +to be at the North Pole, and away they went flying through the air. They +have gotten there already, I think. Hark! Yes, they are just going in +at the gate that leads up to Santa Claus's house, and soon they will be +knocking at his door. Then you will see them come in, for you will be +there before they are; and when the curtain opens, as it will in just a +moment, you will see the inside of the house where Santa Claus lives. +You must be very quiet for Santa Claus is sick, remember, and a noise +might make his head ache. Hush! It is going to begin. + + * * * * * + + + + +The Second Scene + + +_When the Curtain opens, you again see a room, but quite different +from the first one. There is a door on one side, and at the back is +a sort of tall box with closed doors in the front of it, a kind of +cupboard. On shelves at the sides of the room are some toys and +packages, and a bag, nearly full, leans against the wall. There are two +people in the room. One of them, of course, is Santa Claus, but oh, how +sick he looks. The other person is a woman, you will see, and she must +be Mrs. Santa Claus. There are two other figures that look a good deal +like people, but they are only big toys that Santa Claus and his wife +have been making, a soldier on one side, and a doll on the other._ + +SANTA CLAUS, _who is sitting, wrapped up in a great blanket wrapper, +and is leaning his head on his hand, while he holds a cane in the other +is saying_, What is the use of working any longer, for if I can't +carry the presents to the children, what is the good of finishing them? + +But you might feel better at the last moment, _says_ MRS. SANTA +CLAUS, _who is tieing a sash on the big doll that stands beside +her._ + +That's true, _says_ SANTA CLAUS. Well, I believe I'll finish this +soldier, then. He's the last one I need to make, and he's all done +except to have his cheeks painted. I'll get my paint out and finish him. + +_So Santa Claus rises up very stiffly and painfully, and hobbles +across the room to get his paint and paintbrush. Then he sits down again +in front of the big toy soldier, and paints both its cheeks a fine +bright red. Just as he is finishing, there comes a knock at the +door._ + +Come in, _says_ MRS. SANTA CLAUS. _And in walk Jack and Polly, +hand in hand, wearing the fairy spectacles and the wishing cap, one +holding the bottle and the other the spoon._ + +Donner and Blitzen! _exclaims_ SANTA CLAUS, _laying down his +brush,_ if it isn't Polly and Jack! + +Oh, Santa, _cries_ POLLY, we got your letter and the wishing-cap-- + +And the fairy spectacles, says JACK. + +And we've brought you some of father's medicine, _continues_ POLLY, +because it made Nurse Mary quite well--her back, you know. + +And her joints, _adds_ JACK. + +And you have to take it from children, POLLY _goes on._ One of them +holds the spoon--_Here_ POLLY _holds out the spoon._ + +And the other pours out the medicine, _says_ JACK, _and with that +he pours it out._ It's very bitter, _he adds, as Polly holds it out +for Santa Claus to take._ + +_Then Santa Claus opens his mouth, and swallows the dose, with a wry +face and a shudder._ + +Is it horrid? _asks_ POLLY. + +Horrid! _says_ SANTA CLAUS. + +But it will make you well, you know, _says_ POLLY _encouragingly._ +Only you have to wait a little for the medicine to work. + +And you came all the way to the North Pole, to bring me this medicine? +_says_ SANTA CLAUS, _looking from Polly to Jack and back to Polly +again_. How did you get here? + +First, we went up the chimney, _says_ JACK, I saw the steps with +the fairy spectacles, you know. + +And then, _says_ POLLY, I held fast hold of his hand, and wished. +I had the wishing-cap, you see. + +But weren't you afraid? _asks_ SANTA CLAUS. When you climbed up the +black chimney, and when you stood on the top, in the black night under +the stars, and when you came flying through the air, weren't you +frightened? + +Well, it wasn't much fun, _says_ POLLY, but we didn't know how else +to get here. + +And we knew you were sick, _says_ JACK. + +But, _asks_ SANTA CLAUS, what difference did it make to you +children whether an old man like me was sick or not? + +Why, Santa Claus, _answers_ POLLY, we all just love you, you know. + +Well, well, _says_ SANTA CLAUS. _Then he lays down his cane on +the floor, and stretches himself, and stands up, and walks across the +room without hobbling at all._ + +How do you feel now? _asks_ JACK. + +Feel? _answers_ SANTA CLAUS, _moving more and more briskly_. I +feel as young as a snow flake; I feel as strong as a northeast blizzard. +Quick, Mrs. Santa Claus, bring me my fur cap and gloves. There's time +yet to fill the children's stockings. + +_While Mrs. Santa Claus is out of the room_, JACK _says_: +Santa, I didn't even know there was a Mrs. Santa Claus. + +Have you ever been very sick? _asks_ SANTA CLAUS. + +We've had chicken pox, _answers_ JACK. + +Oh, that doesn't count, _says_ SANTA CLAUS, but some times, when +children are very sick indeed--or, for days and days--and when they are +very good and patient, and take their medicine, and never kick the bed +clothes off, then Mrs. Santa Claus comes in the night, and brings them +a present, and when they wake up, they find it beside the bed. + +Oh, _says_ POLLY, I think she must be almost as good as you, Santa +Claus. + +And besides that, _says_ SANTA CLAUS, who do you suppose dresses +all the dolls that I put into the stockings? She does, of course. Look +here at this fine one that she has just finished. To be sure, I make the +doll part myself, and this one here is a very fine one, if I do say it: +it can talk. Would you like to hear it, Polly? Just pull that string +there. + +_Polly pulls the string and the_ DOLL, _in a very squeaky voice, +says_, Ma-ma. + +And, by the way, SANTA CLAUS _goes on_, I must put this doll and +that soldier into the shrinking-machine. + +Why, what is that, Santa Claus? _asks_ JACK. + +The shrinking-machine? _says_ SANTA CLAUS. That is it, over there. +_He points to the tall cupboardy thing at the back. Then he goes +on_. You see it's easier to make toys big, but I couldn't carry them +that way, for the sleigh wouldn't hold them, and besides they wouldn't +go into the stockings. So after they are made, I put them into the +machine, and shrink them. Open the doors, Polly, and we will shrink +these two. + +_So Polly opens the doors, and at a signal from Santa Claus the doll +and the soldier walk in; but they move in a funny stiff way, because +they haven't any joints at their knees or elbows._ + +_Then_ SANTA CLAUS _shuts the doors_. Jack, _say he,_ you +may turn the crank, if you want. _So Jack turns the crank._ + +_After a little_ SANTA CLAUS _says_: Stop! _Then he opens +the door and out walk, in the same funny stiff way, the doll and the +soldier, only now they are about half as big as they were before. They +walk down to the front._ SANTA CLAUS _looks at them, shakes his +head, and says,_ No, you must be much smaller than that. Go back into +the machine. + +_So back the doll and soldier go; and Jack again turns the crank and +this time, when_ SANTA CLAUS _cries,_ Stop, _and the doors are +opened, the toys have grown very small indeed, as you can see, when +Santa Claus holds them up. He puts the soldier into a box, and then puts +the box and the doll into his bag._ + +_And now Mrs. Santa Claus comes in with the cap and gloves; and Santa +Claus puts them on. At the same time sleighbells are heard outside, and +a stamping of hoofs._ + +We're off! _cries_ SANTA CLAUS, _taking up his pack._ Come, +Polly! Come, Jack! I'll stow you away as warm as toast down under the +buffalo robe. + +Good-bye, _cries_ MRS. SANTA CLAUS as _they go out at the door._ + +Good-bye, good-bye, _they_ ALL _call back._ + +_Then there is more stamping of hoofs outside, and a great jingling of +sleighbells, which grow fainter and fainter, as they drive away._ + +_And that is the end of the Second Scene._ + + * * * * * + + + + +Interlude + + +_Again while the curtain is closed_ MOTHER GOOSE _comes out, and +this is what she says:_ + +My dears, we must hurry back to the house where Jack and Polly live, for +Santa Claus's sleigh is going so fast through the sky, that it will be +there before us, unless we are quick about it. It is still dark night +there, and nothing has happened since we were there before, except that +Dr. John has come home from seeing sick old Mrs. Cavendish, and he has +let himself in with his key, and has felt his way in the dark to his own +door, and has gone to bed. He and Mother are both fast asleep, and they +haven't an idea but that Jack and Polly are fast asleep in their beds +too. But you and I know that they are in the reindeer sleigh with Santa +Claus. And all the time they are coming nearer and nearer. Listen for +the sleighbells, for now it is going to begin. + + * * * * * + + + + +The Third Scene + + +_When the curtain opens you can see nothing at all at first, for the +room is all dark, just as Mother left it, you remember, when she went +out and took the light with her. But after a moment you can hear +something--the sleighbells far away. Nearer and nearer they come; then +there is a stamping sound on the roof; then a sort of scrambling sound +in the place where you know the chimney is; and then Santa Claus, who by +this time is crouching down in the fire-place, turns the light of his +lantern into the room. He steps out carrying his pack, and then down the +chimney come Jack and Polly._ + +Hush! _says_ SANTA CLAUS, _with his finger at his lips._ Off +to bed with you both! And don't you dare to open your eyes until the +day-light comes. It won't be long. + +_On tiptoes Polly and Jack go out at the door. Then Santa Claus turns +to his work. First he reads Polly's letter by the light of his lantern, +and fills Polly's stocking and Mother's; then he reads Jack's letter and +fills Jack's stocking and Father's; then he puts out the light so that +the room is all dark again. You hear him climbing up the chimney, then +there is a jingling of sleighbells on the roof, which grows fainter and +fainter, and then all is still once more._ + +_After a little while you notice that you can see faintly through the +window at the back, because it is beginning to be daylight. Very, very +slowly it grows brighter. Then the door, that Jack and Polly went out +by, opens, and in come the two children in their wrappers._ + +Is it daylight now? _asks_ JACK, _but he is looking toward the +fire-place instead of toward the window._ + +Yes, I think it is, _says_ POLLY, _and she is looking in the same +direction._ + +_Then they go on tiptoe to the door of the other room, where Father +and Mother sleep; they open the door and shout:_ + +Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! + +_Two rather sleepy voices, from_ MOTHER _first and then from_ +FATHER, _answer:_ Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. _And_ MOTHER +_continues,_ All right, children; we'll be there in a moment, as soon +as we have put our wrappers on. + +_The children go over to the fire-place, and feel the lumpy stockings; +and then in come Father and Mother in wrappers and nightcaps._ + +Oh, _says_ FATHER, old Santa Claus hasn't forgotten us, has he? And +candy canes are still in fashion, I see; I'm glad of that. Bring Mother +her stocking, Polly; and Jack, get mine for me. We'll sit down and take +our time about it. + +No fair, Jack, _cries_ POLLY. You're peeking into your stocking. +I've only felt of mine. + +But my thing is in a box, _says_ JACK, so that I can't see anything +anyway. Oh, let's begin quick. + +All right, _says_ FATHER, and ladies first. Mother, you lead off. + +Shall I? _says_ MOTHER, _feeling her stocking_. Oh, I know +what this round thing is: it's an orange. No, it isn't either: it's a +ball of knitting cotton. Just what I want, and the very kind I use. Now, +Polly, it's your turn to see what is in the top of yours. + +I'm sure I know what mine is, _says_ POLLY, _and then as she +draws it out._ Yes, it is: it's a doll. + +Why, Polly, _cries_ JACK, it's the very same doll that we-- + +Hush! _says_ POLLY _quickly_. Yes, it's the very same kind of +a doll I asked for. See, Mother, she has a pink sash. Isn't she lovely? + +Now, Jack, _says_ FATHER, I think it is your turn next. What is in +that box of yours? Slate pencils, probably. + +Slate pencils! _says_ JACK, _indignantly_. You know I didn't +want slate pencils. + +But are you sure you will get just what you want? _asks_ FATHER. + +Yes, indeed I am, _answers_ JACK, _pulling out the box and +opening it_, and there it is--a soldier. I knew it would be that, +because I saw it when-- + +Hush! _says_ POLLY _quickly_. Father, it is now your turn at last. + +And I know all about mine, _says_ FATHER. It is soft and squashy, +so of course it's a sponge. Now why do you suppose Santa Claus brought +me a sponge? for my old one is quite good enough. + +But it isn't a sponge at all, _cries_ JACK, _who has been peeking +into the little bundle_. + +Not a sponge? _says_ FATHER. But what is it, then? _He opens the +paper_. A pair of warm gloves, I declare--just what I need. Well, +Santa Claus is a great old fellow, and no mistake. + +_Mother has been turning her head toward the window, as though she +were listening to something, and now she says:_ + +Hush! Is that singing that I hear, far away? + +_They all listen, and sure enough from some distance can be heard the +sound of singing voices. The children, nodding their heads, show that +they hear it._ + +What can it be? _says_ MOTHER. Why, I know; it's the Christmas +Waits, of course, singing carols from house to house. + +Oh, I wish they would sing in our street, _cries_ POLLY, _and +runs to the window. Then she exclaims,_ There they are: they are +coming around the corner. + +_The others all go toward the window, and_ JACK _says +delightedly._ One of them has a fiddle. Oh, I do hope they will stop +here. + +_Then outside the window the Christmas Waits can be seen, all in warm +caps and mittens and mufflers. They stop just in front of the window, +hold up their music before them, and begin to sing the dear old carol, +called_: + +THE CAROL OF CHRISTMAS MORNING + + God rest you merry, gentlemen, + Let nothing you dismay. + Remember Christ our Saviour + Was born on Christmas Day. + + +_When the carol is finished_, POLLY _and_ JACK _and_ +MOTHER _and_ FATHER _wave to the Waits, and cry,_ Merry +Christmas! Merry Christmas! + +_And the_ WAITS _wave back and cry_: Merry Christmas! Merry +Christmas! Merry Christmas! + +_And this is the end of the Play._ + + * * * * * + + + + +Characters and Costumes + + +MOTHER GOOSE--The conventional costume; full skirt, peaked hat, cane, +spectacles, mits. It is effective for her to draw her lips tight over +her teeth so that her speech is that of a toothless old woman. + +POLLY--A little girl } first in ordinary indoor clothes; + } +JACK--a little boy } afterwards in wrappers. + +DOCTOR JOHN--Their father; indoor clothes; also overcoat and hat; +medicine case; afterwards in a dressing gown. + +MOTHER--Doctor John's wife; indoor clothes; afterwards in kimono or +wrapper. + +NURSE MARY--A little old woman; first dressed for outdoors, in cloak and +hood; simple dark dress underneath. + +AN ELF--Acted by a very little boy, dressed all in green; he does not +speak. + +SANTA CLAUS--At first in heavy wrapper, preferably white; underneath +this his conventional costume; later he puts on fur cap and gloves. + +MRS. SANTA CLAUS--Indoor clothes of red and white, corresponding to the +conventional costume of Santa Claus. + +DOLL--Acted by two girls, one much smaller than the other, but both +exactly alike as to dress, stockings, sash, hair ribbons, and color and +arrangement of hair. + +SOLDIER--Acted by two boys, one much smaller than the other, but +corresponding as closely as possible in uniform and appearance, except +that the small one has bright red cheeks from the beginning. + +CHRISTMAS WAITS--Boys in outdoor clothes; warm caps, mufflers, gloves or +mittens; one carries and plays a violin; others hold copies of the carols. + + * * * * * + + + + +Scenery and Scenic Effects + + +SCENES I AND III. + +The stage should contain a table, a little at one side, opposite the +fire-place, and five chairs, one for each of the family, and the fifth +for Nurse Mary when she arrives. On the table a lighted lamp. For +safety, it may be lighted by an ever-ready electric torch. The lighting +of the stage must, of course, be otherwise provided for. + +There should be two doors on opposite sides of the stage, and a +practicable window at the back, through which in the last scene a view +of houses or landscape is visible, and the Waits at the close. + +As the fire-place is at the side, it is easy to arrange steps by which +the elf and the children appear to climb up and down the chimney. A box +or small step ladder, just out of sight on the side toward the front, +will serve the purpose. + +The Carol of the Friendly Beasts may be sung to the following tune: + +[Illustration: Music] + +There is also another tune composed by Clarence Dickinson. A different +carol may, of course, be substituted, if desired. + + +SCENE II. + +The Shrinking Machine stands at the back of the stage, and must be +accessible from behind, for the changing of the doll and the soldier. +There should be doors in front which can be opened wide. At one side +should be the crank. For this an ice cream freezer will serve, well +secured in place, only the handle showing through the cambric side wall +of the Machine. The sound is effective, even though the children in the +audience will announce its identity at once. + +For painting the soldier's cheeks, cranberry juice is both brilliant and +harmless. + +If gifts or candies are to be distributed, Mother Goose may enter again +immediately after the final curtain, and say something like this: + +Well, my dear children, it is all over, and I hope it has pleased you. +I heard you laugh once or twice, and that makes me think that you must +have liked it. But there is one more thing to tell you, and this you +are sure to like very much indeed. You will remember that they had only +looked at the first things, in the very top of their stockings. Well, +after the curtain closed, they had time to look at what was left. And +what do you suppose Father found in the bottom of his stocking, down in +the very toe of it? A little note from Santa Claus, telling him that +if he would look into the fire-place he would find there some boxes of +candy, one for every child in this audience: And sure enough, there they +were: and if you will sit very still, the curtain will open again, and +they will be brought out and given to you. And so, my dears, as I bid +you Good-night, I wish you all (or, I hope you have had) a very Merry +Christmas and (wish you) a Happy New Year. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Up the Chimney, by Shepherd Knapp + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14786 *** |