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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f27278 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68417 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68417) diff --git a/old/68417-0.txt b/old/68417-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 686aae1..0000000 --- a/old/68417-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1346 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The lighting of the Christmas tree, by -Selma Lagerlöf - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The lighting of the Christmas tree - -Authors: Selma Lagerlöf - Josephine L. Palmer - Annie L. Thorp - -Editor: Gertrude Buck - -Release Date: June 28, 2022 [eBook #68417] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive/American - Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS -TREE *** - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - - Text in italics is shown in _underscores_. - - Text in Small Caps was converted to ALL CAPS. - - Punctuation and text was retained as in the original except for - a change on page 17, “and exit upstairs” to “and exits upstairs”. - - - - - The Lighting of the - Christmas Tree - - In the Vassar Series of Plays - Edited by Gertrude Buck - - - Adapted by Josephine L. Palmer and Annie L. - Thorp, by permission of Messrs. Doubleday, - Page & Co., from “The Christmas Guest,” by - Selma Lagerlof. - - Samuel French: Publisher - - 28-30 West Thirty-eighth St. : New York - - LONDON - - Samuel French, Ltd. - - 26 SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY JOSEPHINE L. PALMER AND - ANNIE L. THORP - - COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY SAMUEL FRENCH - - _All Rights Reserved_ - -“THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE” is fully protected by copyright, -and all rights are reserved. - -Permission to act, to read publicly, or to make any use of this play -must be obtained from Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York -City. - -It may be presented by amateurs upon payment of a royalty of five -dollars for each performance, payable to Samuel French one week before -the date when the play is given. - -Professional rates quoted on application. - -Whenever this play is produced the following notice must appear on all -programs, printing and advertising for the play: Produced by special -arrangement with Samuel French of New York. - - - - -THE VASSAR SERIES OF PLAYS - - -Every play in this series has been written by a member of the -Play-Writing Class at Vassar College. But each play as printed is the -product of a group-activity. Not merely an individual seated at a desk, -but a community working together in a theater, is responsible for it in -its final form. - -Some of these plays have been “tried out” by the Vassar Dramatic -Workshop and some by the Community Theatre of Poughkeepsie, New -York. By the coöperative efforts of all who were associated in these -enterprises--actors, committee workers and financial supporters--these -plays have been given a sympathetic and intelligent production before -audiences also intelligent and sympathetic, whose reaction has afforded -the writers much valuable criticism. In the preliminary readings -and rehearsals, also, occasional weak points which had escaped the -ordeal of class criticism came to light and were strengthened by the -author’s revision. In fact, the plays as they appear in this series -are literally a collaboration of the writers with innumerable friendly -critics in the play-writing class, the cast and the audience. And it -would be ungracious to put the fruits of this collaboration at the -service of the public without grateful acknowledgment to all those who -have in any way helped to establish and carry on the Vassar Dramatic -Workshop or the Community Theatre of Poughkeepsie. - -In recent years there has been an increasing demand for well-written, -dramatically effective one-act plays, suitable for production by -semi-professional companies or by amateur organizations of serious -purpose and some degree of training. To aid in supplying this demand -is the purpose of the Vassar Series of Plays. Other plays written by -members of the Play-Writing Class at Vassar College may be secured in -typewritten form by application to The Workshop Bureau of Plays, Vassar -College. - -All the plays in this series are protected by copyright. A royalty of -five dollars for each production must be paid to Samuel French, 28-30 -West 38th Street, New York City, at least one week before the date of -the performance. - - - - -LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE - -PRODUCING THE PLAY - - -The beautiful Swedish national costumes should be used for this play. -Any good reference book on the costumes of various nations and many -books about travel in Sweden will furnish illustrations that may be -copied, varying the colors when necessary to produce a harmonious -relation with one another. Since this is a modern play, only the -servants, who are, of course, peasants, would be likely to wear these -costumes on ordinary occasions, but members of the upper classes -sometimes assume them for the festivities of the Christmas season. We -may, therefore, take advantage of this possibility, to increase the -picturesqueness of our play by using the colorful Swedish dress for all -the characters. - -A real Swedish interior, carefully reproduced from trustworthy -illustrations, would also be effective. Not all the furniture found -in any illustration should, of course, be used for the stage setting. -A few pieces only should be chosen, with a view to composing without -unnecessary “clutter” into a beautiful and characteristically Swedish -whole. - -The lines of this play are exceptionally simple in their phrasing and -yet so full of meaning that no word or syllable should be lost by the -audience. An intelligent, sympathetic rendering of each speech is -especially important, but clear-cut enunciation and a beautiful quality -of voice are also very desirable, particularly for Olga, Liljekrona and -the two children. - -Olga is obviously the very heart of this play. She makes a -charming picture with the little boys over the Christmas tree, the -candle-lighting in the windows, and the story of the Christ-Child’s -wanderings. Her tender love for her home and her instinctive fear of -any influence which may tend to lower its ideals or to draw Liljekrona -away from it, must be so clearly brought out in the acting (as it is -in the lines) that the audience will understand and even partially -sympathize with her anxiety to be rid of the drunken vagrant, Ruster. - -This anxiety is sharpened by the approach of the Christmas season, -which she feels should be celebrated as a beautiful home festival, -just by themselves. But even as Olga carries her point and Ruster is -about to leave the house, she is assailed by remorse for the selfish -impulse to protect her home at the unfortunate old man’s expense. This -should be clearly indicated in the tone and manner with which she asks -Liljekrona to give Ruster something extra for Christmas and to lend him -his fur coat. - -The departure of Ruster ends the first stage of the play’s action, -in which Olga has attempted to secure happiness for herself and her -household by the refusal of her hospitality to some one in sore need -of it. Ruster had seemed to her a discordant element when present, but -his absence seems to bring ten-fold more unhappiness. All the Christmas -preparations go wrong. Sigurd’s cookie-dough figure of the Christ-Child -“doesn’t look like anything,” the E string of Liljekrona’s fiddle has -snapped and he has no new one, Torstein has gone to drive Ruster and -they cannot dance without him, the sheaves for the sparrows have been -forgotten, and finally Liljekrona withdraws to his own room to play the -stormy music which Olga understands as a portent of his return to the -old life of wandering. - -In this section of the play, Liljekrona controls the action and should -dominate the scene. Olga attempts, in vain, to infuse joy into the -Christmas observances. Liljekrona’s bitterly self-reproachful speech -about the lonely and the hungry people,--“When they pass so close -as to touch our sleeve,--we do not see them, we do not stop them, -but let them plod their path alone,”--shows that he will no longer -deceive himself as to the heartlessness of their own action. And when -he says--“Your candles are too late. The door is closed. The voice is -gone,”--Olga sees that on the eve of Christmas and in the name of its -fitting observance, she has betrayed its very spirit of hospitality and -kindness. - -The sound of the music from Liljekrona’s room, full of the old, wild -passion for the open road, brings to Olga realization of the price -she must pay for this mistake, “if God does not work a miracle in the -night.” Her intense suffering at this point marks the crucial moment -in the play and must be conveyed by action and facial expression as -well as by a poignant rendering of the lines. The moment must be -held perceptibly, after she sinks into her chair, until the sound of -sleighbells, at first far off and gradually approaching, breaks the -spell. - -The bells usher in the third stage of the action, which is markedly -different in feeling-tone from the other two. Instead of the fear and -the cloaked unkindness of the first scene and the growing self-reproach -of the second, we have the exaltation of complete surrender to generous -impulse. Olga’s joy in the “miracle” which she so little deserved or -expected must shine from her face and from every word and action, as -soon as she realizes that Ruster has indeed returned and she has a -chance to repair the wrong she has done. Her inspiration to ask Ruster -to look after the children while she is out of the room should be so -acted as to show that there is something behind her simple request. -She will prove her gratitude for this chance to atone, by trusting her -dearest treasures to the man she had feared to have remain in the house -with them. - -The scene of the children with Ruster gives the actor an opportunity -to show the battered, dissipated old man, afraid of the innocent -eyes of the children, but gradually put at his ease by their -complete unconsciousness and their real interest in the one thing he -knows,--flute-playing. Ruster’s complete collapse when the children’s -absorption in reading allows him to realize his own desolate situation, -and Olga’s offer to make him their tutor, need only be played with -entire simplicity and sincerity by both actors, to bring tears to the -eyes of many people in the audience. - -Olga’s explanation to Liljekrona of her plans for Ruster and why she -is taking this great risk, bring her once more into a position of -leadership. This is emphasized by the action, as first Liljekrona, then -the children and finally Ruster, kiss Olga’s hand, while her curtain -speech to Ruster gives the needed touch of humility and graciousness to -her exaltation. - -The curtain should be raised quickly after it has been lowered, so as -to make the tableau of the lighting of the tree seem, as it is, an -essential part of the play. - - GERTRUDE BUCK. - - - - -CHARACTERS - - - LITTLE RUSTER: a flute-player. - LILJEKRONA: a violinist, host of Lofdala. - OLGA: his wife. - OSWALD } - SIGURD } his little sons. - HALLA: the cook. - TORSTEIN: the man-servant. - -First produced by the Vassar Dramatic Workshop, December 16, 1916. - - - - -THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE - - - SCENE: _The living-room of_ LOFDALA, _a Swedish manor house. It - is the afternoon before Christmas and the room has an atmosphere - of comfort and warmth; outside it is snowing. To the left is a - large Swedish fireplace, with its hanging black chimney-hood, - crane and shining kettles. A high wooden bench, a table and - armchair are drawn close to the fire. A heavy, iron-hinged door - opens outdoors at the center back. On either side are windows. At - the left a door leads into the kitchen, and at the right a flight - of stairs leads to the bedrooms. By the stairs stands a Christmas - tree as yet unlighted. There is a music cabinet against the back - wall, left; and an oblong table at the right; a carved wooden - chest stands beside the fireplace._ - - TIME: _about 1890_. - - OLGA _is discovered arranging candles on the tree. She - is slender and moderately tall, with large eyes and rich dark - hair braided about her head. She wears Swedish holiday dress._ - - (_Enter_ OSWALD _and_ SIGURD, _running downstairs with their - hands full of cotton. They are six and four years old_, OSWALD - _being a little the taller. They are bright-faced, tow-headed - little boys, and are dressed in their embroidered holiday - suits._ OSWALD _stops halfway down, and leaning over the - banisters drops bits of cotton on the tree_.) - -OSWALD. See, Mother, it’s snowing. - -SIGURD. Look, Mother--it’s snowing. (_Turns at the foot of the stairs -and runs back to_ OSWALD.) - -OSWALD. Don’t make such big flakes, Sigurd. - -SIGURD. But I’m making it snow hard. - -OSWALD. Oh, look, that fell on a candle. - -OLGA. We need some more snow over here. Come down and make it snow on -these branches. - -OSWALD. But, Mother, we need some most on this side--like this. - -SIGURD. Where is Father? - -OLGA. He has gone out with Torstein in the sledge to gather green -boughs to make the house look like Christmas. - -SIGURD. It’ll soon be Christmas, Mother. When can we light the candles? - -OLGA. When Father comes home. Have we used up all the snow, Oswald? - -OSWALD. Yes, I will get some more. (_Starts upstairs._) Oh! (_Draws -back as he discovers_ RUSTER, _who has just entered and is standing on -the landing. He is unkempt and his shabby, black coat is buttoned up -to his chin. His eyes are small and blurred and his dark hair stands -out like a cloud about his head. But he is not wholly unattractive. His -features are well-formed and his black mustache is twirled at a proud -angle. He carries his music pen and manuscript. His voice is cracked -and harsh._) - -OLGA. (_Looking up_) Why, Ruster! - -RUSTER. (_Shivering_) I thought you might be having punch. My bones -are frozen working up in that cold room. It would take a taste of -hell-fire to warm me up. (_Drinking from his flask._) - -OLGA. (_Turning toward the boys--raising her hand as if to silence_ -RUSTER) The punch has not been made yet, Ruster. Children, have you -forgotten your Christmas cookies? Halla will help you make them if you -run out to her. - -OSWALD. Oh, I know what I want to make. - -SIGURD. What, Oswald?--What? - -OSWALD. I want a raisin in mine. (_Pushing open the door._) Can I, -Halla? - - (_Exeunt to kitchen._ OLGA _crosses to_ RUSTER.) - -OLGA. If you are cold, Ruster, why not stay here by the fire and copy -your music? Is there much more to do? - -RUSTER. (_Seating himself and arranging pages_) Liljekrona says there -is no hurry. When will he be home? - -OLGA. As soon as he has filled the sledge with boughs, for he knows we -need him here on Christmas Eve. (_She goes to the window. Sleighbells -are heard._) There they are, coming up the drive. We must have some -place to put the branches. (_She spreads a cloth on the floor._ RUSTER -_steals a drink from his flask. The door opens. Enter_ LILJEKRONA. _He -is a tall, finely erect man, clad in a heavy fur coat that is covered -with snow. As he takes off his cap, he discloses a mass of light hair -brushed back from an unusually high forehead. His face is at once -sensitive and strong. He carries a load of boughs._) Well, what an -armful you have! - -LILJEKRONA. (_Gaily_) Tell the children I have brought home the whole -forest for our Christmas. - -OLGA. Put down your forest over here. Was it very cold? - -LILJEKRONA. There has been a fine flurry all morning. (OLGA _helps him -off with his coat_.) But the fire feels good! - -RUSTER. This is the warmest place in the house. - -LILJEKRONA. How is it going? (_Looking over_ RUSTER’S _shoulder_.) You -haven’t forgotten how a page ought to look, have you, Ruster? - -RUSTER. No, I can copy, but I cannot play. I have almost forgotten the -sound of my flute. Nobody wants a flute-player nowadays! They do not -care for music any more in Varmland and they do not want to learn. - -LILJEKRONA. Yes, Varmland is not like Ekeby when we knew it. - -RUSTER. It’s a pity we ever left there, Liljekrona! We have never had -such playing since--you with your violin and I with my flute. Old -Torwaldson waving his angry stick! By Heaven, he called the souls out -of us! - -LILJEKRONA. Yes, the violins sobbing--then the horns, the winds, the -basses--each breaking over the other in thundering waves. - -RUSTER. Holy Mother!--that was living! - -LILJEKRONA. And from one patron off on the road to another, and along -the way, what gay evenings in the tent and at the inn when a man was -free from care! - -RUSTER. How you could play then! Shall I forget that night in Olaf’s -garden? You made your fiddle sing as though your heart were in tune -with its strings. But now, Christ’s blood! you never play like that. - -OLGA. He plays more beautifully now than he ever did at Ekeby. - -LILJEKRONA. No, there is not so much time for practice here. - -RUSTER. And the old spirit has gone out of you. - -LILJEKRONA. I sometimes think so myself. It is hard to settle down -after a life of wandering. Something wild keeps crying in my soul, -bidding me be off again. - -OLGA. Why is not home the place for music, Liljekrona? Surely those who -love you most care most to hear. Must you seek your inspiration from -strangers? - -LILJEKRONA. No, Olga, you are more to me than a world of strangers. It -is you alone who hold me here. - -RUSTER. Yes--you have a warm fire and a full cellar to keep you at -home. (LILJEKRONA _shrugs and turns away impatiently_.) But what about -the man who has not money enough to fill his flask? (_Bitterly._) My -horse, and carriole, and fur coat--they’re all gone! (_Drinks, then -laughs boisterously._) But still I have friends--lots of friends in -Varmland, and they’re always glad to see me and give me a cup of cheer! -(_He drains his flask and wipes his mustache with the back of his -hand._ LILJEKRONA _rises disgustedly and crosses the room_.) - -OLGA. (_Pointedly_) Have you more copying to do still, Ruster? - -RUSTER. (_Blinking at her_) The “Folksong” is almost finished. I was -thinking, Liljekrona--that when that is done, there are two others you -showed me yesterday, that would go well with this. - -LILJEKRONA. It is better alone. - -RUSTER. But those two shepherd songs. I took the book to my room. Wait -till I bring it down. (_He rises unsteadily. Exit._) - -OLGA. (_Going to_ LILJEKRONA) Liljekrona, don’t give him more copying, -or we shall be obliged to keep him over Christmas. - -LILJEKRONA. He must be somewhere. - -OLGA. Our Christmas is spoiled if he stays. He is so dirty and he -drinks so. And think how bad it is for the children. - -LILJEKRONA. But he is an old friend. - -OLGA. Yet on Christmas Eve--we have kept thinking how happy we should -be, telling stories and dancing about the tree. And you would play -our favorite tunes. (_She looks wistfully about the partly decorated -room._) But now all the pleasure is gone if Ruster stays! - -LILJEKRONA. Formerly you were glad to see him. - -OLGA. Yes--we all were. But not since he has become a drunkard. And, -Liljekrona, I am afraid---- - -LILJEKRONA. Afraid of what, dear? - -OLGA. (_Impetuously_) Let him go somewhere else for Christmas. - -LILJEKRONA. How can we send him away? It would be inhospitable. Nobody -wants him any more than we do. - -OLGA. But the children, Liljekrona. - - (_Enter_ RUSTER _with book_.) - -RUSTER. Here it is. (_Handing book to_ LILJEKRONA.) - -LILJEKRONA. Yes, I remember. - -RUSTER. Shall I copy them? - -LILJEKRONA. No--I can play these from the book. - -RUSTER. This is a poor transcription. It should be written in D instead -of F. - -LILJEKRONA. Well, I can transpose it. - -RUSTER. I have not copied the words for the “Folksong.” Do you want it -done? - -LILJEKRONA. No, it will do as it is. - -RUSTER. Well then, it is finished. (_Half-heartedly._) I suppose I must -be going. (_Glances toward the window._) - -LILJEKRONA. (_Indifferently_) You had better stay where you are over -Christmas. - -RUSTER. (_Catching the note in_ LILJEKRONA’S _voice, and with -indignant pride_.) What do you mean, Liljekrona, shall I stay here -because I have nowhere else to go? Why, only think how they are -standing and waiting for me in the big ironworks in the parish of -Bro. The guest-room will be already in order and the glass of welcome -filled. I must hurry. I only do not know to whom I should go first. - -LILJEKRONA. Very well, you may go if you will. - -RUSTER. (_Emphatically_) Yes, I must go--at once. - - (_Enter_ TORSTEIN _with logs for the fire_.) - -OLGA. If you wish, Torstein will drive you down. Are the horses still -harnessed, Torstein? - -TORSTEIN. Yes, Ma’am. - -OLGA. Then bring the sledge around. - -RUSTER. And bring it at once. I have only to get my treasures and I am -ready. (_Picks up his music pen and exits upstairs._) - -TORSTEIN. He’s not going to stay over Christmas? - -OLGA. You must hurry back, Torstein. The snow is getting deep. - - (_Exit_ TORSTEIN. LILJEKRONA _looks over the music sheets on - table, and takes money from his pocket_.) - -OLGA. You will slip in something for Christmas? - -LILJEKRONA. Of course. - -OLGA. (_Taking down fur coat and warming it_) Will you lend him your -big coat? Torstein can bring it back. (_After a pause._) As long as he -wishes to go himself, it is as well to let him. - - (_Enter_ RUSTER _with his belongings tied up in a blue-striped - cotton handkerchief, and his flute under his arm_.) - -LILJEKRONA. (_Meeting him and giving him what he has earned_) That is -always poor payment for art, Ruster, but it may serve you, somehow. - -RUSTER. (_Dazedly_) Yes. - -OLGA. Will you put on this coat, Ruster? (_Helping him into coat._) You -must keep warm, and watch that your hands and face are well covered. -And tell Torstein where to take you in Bro. - -RUSTER. (_Shaking himself together and going toward door_) I’ll -be there in time for a glass of punch and the Christmas tree at -Erickson’s--or Oscar’s--or---- - - (LILJEKRONA _opens the door for him and he goes out slowly_.) - -OLGA. (_Calling after him_) A happy Christmas to you! - -LILJEKRONA. (_Faintly_) Good luck, Ruster. - -RUSTER. (_Dully, from without_) Good-bye. - - (LILJEKRONA _closes the door and they look out the window until - the sleighbells jingle off_. OLGA _turns back to the room_.) - -OLGA. Now as soon as the boughs are up, we shall be ready for our -Christmas tree. Don’t you think some holly would be nice for the table, -Liljekrona? (_As_ LILJEKRONA _does not answer, she stoops and picks up -sprigs of holly from the pile of branches, then goes to the kitchen -door and calls_.) Children, what are you doing? Come and bring your -play in here. (_She arranges the holly in a brass bowl on the long -table._ LILJEKRONA _begins to put the boughs up over the door_.) - - (_Enter_ OSWALD, _carrying with great care a board with some - dough on it, and_ SIGURD _running ahead with his fingers covered - with dough_.) - -SIGURD. (_Running to_ LILJEKRONA) Father! See my fat dough fingers. - -LILJEKRONA. What are you making, Sigurd? - -OSWALD. Christmas things for Halla to bake. - -SIGURD. Then they will be brown and we can eat them just like the round -cookies. See, Mother. - -OSWALD. Only these aren’t round cookies, Mother. (_Sits down on the -floor with the dough._) - -SIGURD. No. There is a Christmas tree. - -OSWALD. And I made a star. - -SIGURD. And I’m going to make---- (_Runs and whispers to his mother._) - -OLGA. A what, dear? - -OSWALD. (_Looking up from the floor_) A little Christ-Child we’re going -to make. - -SIGURD. A little bit of a baby Christ-Child. - -OLGA. (_Kissing his forehead_) That will be a lovely Christmas task. - -OSWALD. (_Getting up and pulling at_ LILJEKRONA, _who yields_) Look, -Father! Look at my cookie! To-night I’ll eat it for supper. - -LILJEKRONA. Yes. (_Pause._) I wonder how many little boys will be -eating their Christmas cookies to-night, and how many will be without a -bite of Christmas dinner, hungry and cold. - -OSWALD. Won’t they have any Christmas dinner, Father? - -LILJEKRONA. Some won’t. (_He turns back and continues to put up -boughs._) - -SIGURD. Why won’t those little boys have any Christmas dinner, Mother? - -OLGA. Father meant, dear, that some children are too poor to buy any. - -OSWALD. Where are the poor children? - -OLGA. I’m afraid there are some in every village, Oswald. - -SIGURD. In our valley, Mother? - -OLGA. Yes, dear, I’m afraid there are. - -OSWALD. Then, Mother, if Sigurd and I made some good cookies, could we -take them down to those poor children? - -OLGA. If only we knew just where we could find them, Oswald. It is hard -sometimes to know where the lonely people are, and the hungry ones. - -LILJEKRONA. And when they pass so close as to touch our sleeve on the -way we do not see them, we do not stop them, but let them plod their -path alone. - -OLGA. (_Stung by_ LILJEKRONA’S _remark_) It is a good thought, Oswald. -Take them out to Halla now, so she can bake them before to-morrow. - -SIGURD. I can’t make a Christ-Child, Mother. _(With a sob._) It doesn’t -look like _anything_. - -OSWALD. (_With a laugh_) It looks like a star. - -OLGA. (_Rising_) Let me see, dear. I think Mother would know what that -was. Take it to Halla and she will bake it. Then wash those sticky -hands. It is time to light the tree. (_Exeunt_ OSWALD _and_ SIGURD. -_Takes violin from the cabinet and gives it to_ LILJEKRONA.) You will -play for us to dance?--one of the old polkas, Liljekrona. - -LILJEKRONA. (_Pettishly_) My E string has snapped. - -OLGA. Well, put on a new one. Quick, before the children come back. - - (LILJEKRONA _goes slowly upstairs with his violin_. OLGA _pulls - out the tree from the corner and starts to light the candles with - a taper. Enter_ HALLA _with a punch bowl and the glasses, which - she places on the long table_. OSWALD _and_ SIGURD _follow, each - carrying a plate of cakes_.) - -OSWALD. Mother! Are you lighting the tree instead of Father? - -OLGA. Yes. Do you want to help? - -OSWALD. Oh, yes. - -SIGURD. And I want to, too. - -OLGA. You shall, dear. But first put the cakes on the table. (OSWALD -_and_ SIGURD _deposit their cakes and run to the tree_. OLGA _gives her -taper to_ SIGURD.) Here, Sigurd, first the low ones--there. (_Lighting -another taper._) Now, Oswald. Can you do it, dear? - -OSWALD. You light those, Mother. (_Pointing to higher ones._) - -OLGA. There. - -SIGURD. The top one of all isn’t lit, Mother. - -OLGA. No, Father is the only one who can reach that. We’ll have to -leave it. Come, Halla. - - (_Enter_ LILJEKRONA _by the stairs without his violin_.) - -OLGA. We’re all ready for a polka. - -LILJEKRONA. I have no new string for my fiddle. - -OLGA. But you _can_ play on three strings. - -LILJEKRONA. I can remember no polkas. - -OLGA. (_Approaching him persuasively_) Why, Liljekrona, can’t you play -anything? Sha’n’t we be able to dance at all? - -LILJEKRONA. Torstein is not back yet. He is the best dancer of all. -Perhaps it was hard to find the house. (_Goes to the window._) - -OLGA. Well then, we’ll wait our dancing for Torstein, and have our -punch and cakes while they are hot. - -LILJEKRONA. The sparrows are twittering about the window sill most -miserably. Where is the pole with the sheaves for them? - -OLGA. I did not think of it till now. Did you remember, Halla? - -HALLA. No, I didn’t. Poor little things! - -LILJEKRONA. How is it that you forgot on this day, of all days? Do old -customs mean nothing to you? Or is it the heartlessness of those who -shut their eyes to the meaning of old beliefs? At Ekeby no one ever -forgot! - -OLGA. (_Disturbed_) No, my dear, we are not heartless. The sheaves -shall be put out as soon as Torstein returns. Come, shall we have our -punch and cakes? Children, are you hungry? - -OSWALD. I am. - -SIGURD. I want a cookie from my plate. - -LILJEKRONA. And there are no candles in the windows. Nothing is done as -it used to be. (_He seats himself on the wooden bench._) - -OLGA. Oh, why--why, I had intended to light the candles. (_Goes to -mantel._) Come, children, before you have your cookies will you help -Mother? (_She takes from the shelf above the fireplace two wooden -frames, in each of which is set a row of candles. She lights them and -gives one to each of the boys._) Careful. Put them on the windowsills. - -OSWALD. I want mine in this window. You put yours over there, Sigurd. - -OLGA. Halla, take the punch to the table by the fire. (OLGA _seats -herself near_ LILJEKRONA.) Come, children. (OSWALD _and_ SIGURD _come -to her side_.) Sigurd, do you know why we put candles in the windows on -Christmas Eve? - -OSWALD. So that people can see where we live! - -OLGA. Yes--dear; and there is a story that the little Christ-Child goes -about on Christmas Eve looking for a welcome. (_She pours some punch -for_ LILJEKRONA, _who is looking intently at her_.) - -SIGURD. And if he sees our lights, Mother, will he come to our house? - -OLGA. Yes, dear, and when you hear him say: “Behold I stand at the -door and knock----” (_She passes glass of punch to_ LILJEKRONA.) - -LILJEKRONA. (_Ignoring it, and meeting her glance with a steady gaze_) -“And if any man hear my voice and will open the door, I will come in -and sup with him, and he with me.” Your candles are too late. The door -is closed. The voice is gone. (_Rises and exits slowly to his room._) - -OSWALD. (_After a pause_) Why did Father go away, Mother? - -HALLA. Is it anything the matter with the punch, Ma’am? - -OLGA. (_Hesitating_) No, Halla, it’s not the punch--I think he’s -not--very happy---- - -SIGURD. Won’t he come back, Mother? Who will tell us stories? - - (_Wild music is heard from_ LILJEKRONA’S _room. It rises and - falls in passionate rushes and casts a spell over those who - listen_.) - -OLGA. (_Rising suddenly at the sound_) He is playing. Why--he has not -played like that since he came home. It is his great heart full of -revolt from all that is small about us. “You thought to bind me,” he is -saying, “you thought to make me as small-minded as yourselves.” Oh, I -was wrong! I thought to shut out unhappiness, but with it I have shut -out love. To-morrow he will be gone, if God does not work a miracle -in the night. (_She sinks into her chair and covers her face with her -hands. The boys sit quite still and look with awe at their mother._ -HALLA _wrings her hands in a half-understanding and miserable way_.) - - (_Sleighbells are heard._ HALLA _goes to the window_.) - -HALLA. It must be Torstein come back again at last. No, there are two -of them. And yet that’s Torstein. He’s getting out. He’s helping the -other. (_In a tone of horror._) Why, it must be Ruster with him! - -OLGA. (_Until now heedless, looking and drying her eyes_) _Ruster_, did -you say, Halla? Has Ruster come back again? (_She approaches the window -and looks out._) Surely it is he! (_She opens the door. The two men -enter. They are covered with snow._ TORSTEIN _is blue with the cold, -and_ RUSTER _seems half-frozen. His mustache hangs down over his mouth. -He leans on_ TORSTEIN. _The children jump up from the floor._) Ruster, -you are welcome back to Lofdala. (_She loosens his coat and leads him, -with_ TORSTEIN’S _help, to the fire_. HALLA _draws up the armchair into -which_ RUSTER _sinks weakly. The children watch._) - -TORSTEIN. (_Apologetically_) I had to bring him back, Ma’am. At every -house they were either going away over Christmas, or were crowded with -company. They didn’t even ask him to get out of the sledge. And the -snow was so thick I thought we’d both be frozen. - -OLGA. You did well to bring him, Torstein. (_She rubs_ RUSTER’S _hands -to give them life_. TORSTEIN _stands by the fire_.) Halla, is the punch -still hot? - -HALLA. Yes, Ma’am. - -OLGA. Then pour out a glass. It will warm him. - - (HALLA _pours out two glasses. One she gives to_ TORSTEIN, _the - other_ OLGA _holds to_ RUSTER’S _lips_.) - -TORSTEIN. (_Smacking his lips_) Um! That puts life into you! (_Sets -down his glass._) Well, I must drive the horses around, or they’ll be -drifted in. - - (_Exit by front door._ OSWALD _and_ SIGURD _watch from the - window_.) - -RUSTER. (_Gaining consciousness and looking about with a sad, puzzled -expression_) How did I come here again? It is strange, all strange to -be in Liljekrona’s house--I thought---- (_Abruptly._) Why are you so -kind to me? I am only an old broken-down instrument.... - -OLGA. We are glad to see you, Ruster! And I want you to think--you have -never been away. Let me have your wet coat. (_Helps him out of it._) -Halla will dry it in the kitchen. - - (_Exit_ HALLA _with coat_.) - -OLGA. (_Refilling his glass and putting it on the table by him_) Are -you warmer now? - -RUSTER. Yes--quite warm, thank you. - -OSWALD. (_Offering the cookie he has been holding_) Here’s a cookie. -(SIGURD, _who is about to eat the last fragment of his, stops and holds -it out to_ RUSTER.) - -RUSTER. (_Starting up suddenly_) I can’t stay here! I am of no -use--here--or anywhere! - -OLGA. (_Putting a hand on his arm_) You are mistaken, Ruster. You may -help, if you will. I must attend to setting the table for dinner and -the children will be quite forsaken. Will you look after them a little? - -RUSTER. (_Rising, alarmed_) I can’t do that!--Why, I--they---- - - (_Exit_ OLGA, _resolutely_. RUSTER _looks after her, then turns, - and seeing his glass of punch on the table, starts to pick it up. - He encounters the steady gaze of the children, restrains himself - and fumbles in his pocket. He draws out his flute and blows a - note on it. The boys come closer._) - -OSWALD. How do you do that? (RUSTER _does not answer, but blows again_.) - -SIGURD. Why do you lift your fingers? - -RUSTER. To make the notes. - -SIGURD. Let me try! (RUSTER _places his little fingers over two of the -stops_. SIGURD _blows, but no sound comes_. OSWALD _laughs_.) - -OSWALD. Let _me_ try! (RUSTER _shows him also--but still no tone_.) How -do you do it? (_He tries again._) - -RUSTER. I blow in here. (_Showing them._) And I keep the holes covered -with my fingers. When I want to make a note, I lift up a finger, like -this. (_He blows._) - -SIGURD. Blow another. - -RUSTER. (_Blows another. Then both over again_) This is A and this is B. - -OSWALD. A and B. You can’t play _them_. They’re letters. - -RUSTER. Yes, and in music they are the names of the notes. (_Takes out -a score and with a crayon makes a few notes._) This is the way they -look. - -SIGURD. Let me see. - -OSWALD. No! That’s not right! That’s not what’s in our storybook! -See--I’ll show you. (_He runs to music cabinet, and from lower cupboard -pulls out a battered cloth book._) - -RUSTER. (_To_ SIGURD) Can this boy spell his name? - -SIGURD. Yes--S I G U R D! - -OSWALD. See--look at _our_ book. There isn’t any A and B like that! -That is A and that is B. (_Pointing._) - -RUSTER. Can you read that? - -OSWALD. Yes, I can read it. - - (_Enter_ OLGA _with tablecloth, glasses and silver. She smiles at - the group and quietly begins to arrange the table._) - -OSWALD. (_Reading_) “Far away, in the deep forest there once grew----” - -BOTH CHILDREN. “A pretty Fir-_Tree_. The sun shone full upon _him_, the -breeze played freely around _him_, and in the n--n----” (_Looking up -questioningly at_ RUSTER.) - -RUSTER. “Neigh-bor-hood.” - -OSWALD. “Neighborhood grew many Fir-Trees.” - -BOTH CHILDREN. “Some older, some younger.” - -OSWALD. (_Turning from the book_) Look--I’ll draw you a fir-tree. (_He -draws on_ RUSTER’S _music score--spreading it on the floor_.) - -SIGURD. (_Slowly_) “But the little Fir-Tree was not happy; he was -always long--longing to be tall; he th--th----” - - (RUSTER, _who during the last part of the reading has been paying - no attention, suddenly covers his face with his hands. His - shoulders shake a little._ SIGURD _looks up frightened_. OLGA - _crosses quickly to him_.) - -OLGA. (_Gently_) Ruster--Ruster! Don’t feel badly! - -RUSTER. (_Sobbing softly_) Yes--I am of no use any more. - -OLGA. (_Sympathetically_) I know--I know. You cannot make a living by -your music and you are destroying yourself with brandy. You have been -turned away from every door where you have knocked. But, Ruster---- - -RUSTER. Yes, I am worn out. I ought to be thrown away! Nobody needs me. - -OLGA. But don’t you see that to be with the children, as to-night, -would be something for you? If you would teach children you would be -welcomed everywhere. Look at them, Ruster! (_She places the boys in -front of him._) Look at them! - -RUSTER. (_Blinking_) I dare not! - -OLGA. (_Laughing joyously_) Then you must accustom yourself to them, -Ruster! Perhaps you could help them with their reading. They need a -schoolmaster! (_Turning to children triumphantly._) How would you like -that, children? - - (_Enter_ LILJEKRONA, _violin under his arm_. RUSTER _remains - motionless by the fireplace with bowed head_.) - -LILJEKRONA. Why are you laughing, Olga, what is it? - -OLGA. Nothing--but that Ruster has come again! - -LILJEKRONA. (_Perplexed_) Ruster here again? - -OLGA. (_Beaming_) Yes, and he is going to stay with us to teach our -little boys. - -LILJEKRONA. Ruster! (_With amazement_) You have asked him to teach----? - -OLGA. Yes, Oswald and Sigurd. He has been helping them this afternoon. - -LILJEKRONA. But--has he promised to give up----? - -OLGA. He has promised nothing. But there is much about which he must be -careful when he has to look little children in the eyes every day. - -LILJEKRONA. You’re sure he can do it? - -OLGA. (_Not heeding_) If it had not been Christmas, perhaps I should -not have ventured; but if our Lord dared to place His own son among us -sinners, surely we can dare to let our children try to save a human -soul. - - (LILJEKRONA’S _face twitches and twists. He gently kisses his - wife’s hand as if asking forgiveness._) - -LILJEKRONA. The children must come and kiss their Mother’s hand! (_They -do so, though not just knowing why._) - -OLGA. (_Going to_ RUSTER _and holding out her hand_) Ruster, it is you -who have made our Christmas happy. (_He kisses her hand._) - - - CURTAIN - - (_The lifted curtain reveals the whole family gathered about the - tree_, HALLA, TORSTEIN _and all, while_ LILJEKRONA _lights the - topmost candle_.) - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS -TREE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/68417-0.zip b/old/68417-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 34e9470..0000000 --- a/old/68417-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/68417-h.zip b/old/68417-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3fb5a34..0000000 --- a/old/68417-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/68417-h/68417-h.htm b/old/68417-h/68417-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 355ce24..0000000 --- a/old/68417-h/68417-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1862 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> - <meta charset="UTF-8" /> - <title> - The Lighting of the Christmas Tree, by Josephine L. Palmer and Annie L. Thorp—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover" /> - <style> /* <![CDATA[ */ - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1 {text-align: left; - font-weight: normal; - margin-top: 2em;} - - h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; - text-indent: 1em -} - -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.noindent {text-indent: 0em} -.hangin {text-indent: -2em; - margin-top: 1.5em; - margin-bottom: 1.5em;} -.hangin0 {text-indent: -2em;} -.charlist {margin-left: 1em; - margin-bottom: 0; - margin-top: 0;} - -.frontpage {max-width: 30em; - margin: auto;} - -ins {text-decoration: none;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -table {margin-left: 0.8em;} - -.tdl {text-align: left;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; - color: #A9A9A9; - text-indent: 0; -} /* page numbers */ - -.blockquot {margin-left: 2em;} - - -.center {text-align: center; - margin-top: 1.5em; - margin-bottom: 1.5em;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - - - -/* Images */ - -img { - max-width: 100%; - height: auto; -} -img.w100 {width: 100%;} - - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - - -/* Stage directions in italics */ -.dir {font-style: italic;} - - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -/* extra code */ -.pfs200 {font-size: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs180 {font-size: 180%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs135 {font-size: 135%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs120 {font-size: 120%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs100 {font-size: 100%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs80 {font-size: 80%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} - -.fs100 {font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;} -.fs120 {font-size: 120%; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;} -.fs180 {font-size: 180%; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;} - -.center-justified { - text-align: center; - margin: 10em auto 0em auto; - width: 50%; - font-size: 80%; - text-indent: 0em; -} - - - /* ]]> */ </style> -</head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The lighting of the Christmas tree, by Selma Lagerlöf</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The lighting of the Christmas tree</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Authors: Selma Lagerlöf</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;'>Josephine L. Palmer</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;'>Annie L. Thorp</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Editor: Gertrude Buck</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: June 28, 2022 [eBook #68417]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="max-width:30em;"> -<img class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" /> -</div> - -<div class="frontpage"> -<h1>The Lighting of the<br /> -Christmas Tree</h1> - -<p class="fs100 noindent">In the Vassar Series of Plays<br /> -Edited by Gertrude Buck</p> - -<p class="center-justified">Adapted by Josephine L. Palmer and Annie L. -Thorp, by permission of Messrs. Doubleday, -Page & Co., from “The Christmas Guest,” by -Selma Lagerlof.</p> - -<p class="pfs200">Samuel French: Publisher</p> - -<p class="pfs135">28-30 West Thirty-eighth St. : New York</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs80">LONDON</p> - -<p class="pfs180">Samuel French, Ltd.</p> - -<p class="pfs100 smcap">26 Southampton Street, Strand</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p class="p2 smcap pfs100">Copyright, 1917, by Josephine L. Palmer and -Annie L. Thorp</p> - -<p class="p2 smcap pfs100">Copyright, 1921, by Samuel French</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs100"><i>All Rights Reserved</i></p> - -<p class="p2">“THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE” is -fully protected by copyright, and all rights are reserved.</p> - -<p>Permission to act, to read publicly, or to make any use -of this play must be obtained from Samuel French, 28-30 -West 38th Street, New York City.</p> - -<p>It may be presented by amateurs upon payment of a -royalty of five dollars for each performance, payable to -Samuel French one week before the date when the play -is given.</p> - -<p>Professional rates quoted on application.</p> - -<p>Whenever this play is produced the following notice -must appear on all programs, printing and advertising for -the play: Produced by special arrangement with Samuel -French of New York.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak fs120" id="THE_VASSAR_SERIES_OF_PLAYS">THE VASSAR SERIES OF PLAYS</h2> -</div> - - -<p>Every play in this series has been written by a -member of the Play-Writing Class at Vassar College. -But each play as printed is the product of a -group-activity. Not merely an individual seated at -a desk, but a community working together in a -theater, is responsible for it in its final form.</p> - -<p>Some of these plays have been “tried out” by the -Vassar Dramatic Workshop and some by the Community -Theatre of Poughkeepsie, New York. By -the coöperative efforts of all who were associated in -these enterprises—actors, committee workers and -financial supporters—these plays have been given a -sympathetic and intelligent production before audiences -also intelligent and sympathetic, whose reaction -has afforded the writers much valuable criticism. -In the preliminary readings and rehearsals, -also, occasional weak points which had escaped the -ordeal of class criticism came to light and were -strengthened by the author’s revision. In fact, the -plays as they appear in this series are literally a collaboration -of the writers with innumerable friendly -critics in the play-writing class, the cast and the audience. -And it would be ungracious to put the fruits -of this collaboration at the service of the public without -grateful acknowledgment to all those who have -in any way helped to establish and carry on the Vassar -Dramatic Workshop or the Community Theatre -of Poughkeepsie.</p> - -<p>In recent years there has been an increasing demand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> -for well-written, dramatically effective one-act -plays, suitable for production by semi-professional -companies or by amateur organizations of serious -purpose and some degree of training. To aid in -supplying this demand is the purpose of the Vassar -Series of Plays. Other plays written by members -of the Play-Writing Class at Vassar College may be -secured in typewritten form by application to The -Workshop Bureau of Plays, Vassar College.</p> - -<p>All the plays in this series are protected by copyright. -A royalty of five dollars for each production -must be paid to Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th -Street, New York City, at least one week before the -date of the performance.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak fs120" id="LIGHTING_OF_THE_CHRISTMAS_TREE">LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE<br /> - -PRODUCING THE PLAY</h2></div> - - -<p>The beautiful Swedish national costumes should -be used for this play. Any good reference book on -the costumes of various nations and many books -about travel in Sweden will furnish illustrations -that may be copied, varying the colors when necessary -to produce a harmonious relation with one -another. Since this is a modern play, only the servants, -who are, of course, peasants, would be likely -to wear these costumes on ordinary occasions, but -members of the upper classes sometimes assume -them for the festivities of the Christmas season. -We may, therefore, take advantage of this possibility, -to increase the picturesqueness of our play -by using the colorful Swedish dress for all the characters.</p> - -<p>A real Swedish interior, carefully reproduced from -trustworthy illustrations, would also be effective. -Not all the furniture found in any illustration should, -of course, be used for the stage setting. A few -pieces only should be chosen, with a view to composing -without unnecessary “clutter” into a beautiful -and characteristically Swedish whole.</p> - -<p>The lines of this play are exceptionally simple in -their phrasing and yet so full of meaning that no -word or syllable should be lost by the audience. An -intelligent, sympathetic rendering of each speech is -especially important, but clear-cut enunciation and -a beautiful quality of voice are also very desirable, -particularly for Olga, Liljekrona and the two children.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span></p> - -<p>Olga is obviously the very heart of this play. She -makes a charming picture with the little boys over -the Christmas tree, the candle-lighting in the windows, -and the story of the Christ-Child’s wanderings. -Her tender love for her home and her instinctive -fear of any influence which may tend to lower -its ideals or to draw Liljekrona away from it, must -be so clearly brought out in the acting (as it is in -the lines) that the audience will understand and -even partially sympathize with her anxiety to be rid -of the drunken vagrant, Ruster.</p> - -<p>This anxiety is sharpened by the approach of the -Christmas season, which she feels should be celebrated -as a beautiful home festival, just by themselves. -But even as Olga carries her point and -Ruster is about to leave the house, she is assailed -by remorse for the selfish impulse to protect her -home at the unfortunate old man’s expense. This -should be clearly indicated in the tone and manner -with which she asks Liljekrona to give Ruster something -extra for Christmas and to lend him his fur -coat.</p> - -<p>The departure of Ruster ends the first stage of -the play’s action, in which Olga has attempted to -secure happiness for herself and her household by -the refusal of her hospitality to some one in sore -need of it. Ruster had seemed to her a discordant -element when present, but his absence seems to -bring ten-fold more unhappiness. All the Christmas -preparations go wrong. Sigurd’s cookie-dough figure -of the Christ-Child “doesn’t look like anything,” -the E string of Liljekrona’s fiddle has snapped and -he has no new one, Torstein has gone to drive Ruster -and they cannot dance without him, the sheaves for -the sparrows have been forgotten, and finally Liljekrona -withdraws to his own room to play the stormy -music which Olga understands as a portent of his -return to the old life of wandering.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span></p> - -<p>In this section of the play, Liljekrona controls -the action and should dominate the scene. Olga attempts, -in vain, to infuse joy into the Christmas -observances. Liljekrona’s bitterly self-reproachful -speech about the lonely and the hungry people,—“When -they pass so close as to touch our sleeve,—we -do not see them, we do not stop them, but let -them plod their path alone,”—shows that he will no -longer deceive himself as to the heartlessness of -their own action. And when he says—“Your candles -are too late. The door is closed. The voice is -gone,”—Olga sees that on the eve of Christmas and -in the name of its fitting observance, she has betrayed -its very spirit of hospitality and kindness.</p> - -<p>The sound of the music from Liljekrona’s room, -full of the old, wild passion for the open road, -brings to Olga realization of the price she must pay -for this mistake, “if God does not work a miracle in -the night.” Her intense suffering at this point marks -the crucial moment in the play and must be conveyed -by action and facial expression as well as by -a poignant rendering of the lines. The moment -must be held perceptibly, after she sinks into her -chair, until the sound of sleighbells, at first far off -and gradually approaching, breaks the spell.</p> - -<p>The bells usher in the third stage of the action, -which is markedly different in feeling-tone from -the other two. Instead of the fear and the cloaked -unkindness of the first scene and the growing self-reproach -of the second, we have the exaltation of -complete surrender to generous impulse. Olga’s -joy in the “miracle” which she so little deserved or -expected must shine from her face and from every -word and action, as soon as she realizes that Ruster -has indeed returned and she has a chance to repair -the wrong she has done. Her inspiration to ask -Ruster to look after the children while she is out of -the room should be so acted as to show that there is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span> -something behind her simple request. She will -prove her gratitude for this chance to atone, by -trusting her dearest treasures to the man she had -feared to have remain in the house with them.</p> - -<p>The scene of the children with Ruster gives the -actor an opportunity to show the battered, dissipated -old man, afraid of the innocent eyes of the children, -but gradually put at his ease by their complete unconsciousness -and their real interest in the one thing -he knows,—flute-playing. Ruster’s complete collapse -when the children’s absorption in reading allows -him to realize his own desolate situation, and -Olga’s offer to make him their tutor, need only be -played with entire simplicity and sincerity by both -actors, to bring tears to the eyes of many people in -the audience.</p> - -<p>Olga’s explanation to Liljekrona of her plans for -Ruster and why she is taking this great risk, bring -her once more into a position of leadership. This is -emphasized by the action, as first Liljekrona, then -the children and finally Ruster, kiss Olga’s hand, -while her curtain speech to Ruster gives the needed -touch of humility and graciousness to her exaltation.</p> - -<p>The curtain should be raised quickly after it has -been lowered, so as to make the tableau of the lighting -of the tree seem, as it is, an essential part of the -play.</p> - -<p class="smcap right">Gertrude Buck.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span></p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak fs120" id="CHARACTERS">CHARACTERS</h2> -</div> - -<p class="noindent charlist"> -<span class="smcap">Little Ruster</span>: a flute-player.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>: a violinist, host of Lofdala.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Olga</span>: his wife. -</p> -<table> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Oswald <br />Sigurd</span></td> -<td class="tdl fs180">}</td> -<td class="tdl">his little sons.</td> -</tr> -</table> -<p class="noindent charlist"> -<span class="smcap">Halla</span>: the cook.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Torstein</span>: the man-servant.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="p2">First produced by the Vassar Dramatic Workshop, -December 16, 1916.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_LIGHTING_OF">THE LIGHTING OF -THE CHRISTMAS TREE</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin0"><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <span class="dir">The living-room of</span> <span class="smcap">Lofdala</span>, <span class="dir">a Swedish -manor house. It is the afternoon before Christmas -and the room has an atmosphere of comfort -and warmth; outside it is snowing. To the -left is a large Swedish fireplace, with its hanging -black chimney-hood, crane and shining kettles. -A high wooden bench, a table and armchair -are drawn close to the fire. A heavy, iron-hinged -door opens outdoors at the center back. -On either side are windows. At the left a door -leads into the kitchen, and at the right a flight -of stairs leads to the bedrooms. By the stairs -stands a Christmas tree as yet unlighted. There -is a music cabinet against the back wall, left; -and an oblong table at the right; a carved -wooden chest stands beside the fireplace.</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Time</span>: <span class="dir">about 1890</span>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">is discovered arranging candles on the -tree. She is slender and moderately tall, with -large eyes and rich dark hair braided about her -head. She wears Swedish holiday dress.</span></p> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Oswald</span> <span class="dir">and</span> <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span>, <span class="dir">running downstairs -with their hands full of cotton. They are six -and four years old</span>, <span class="smcap">Oswald</span> <span class="dir">being a little the -taller. They are bright-faced, tow-headed little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> -boys, and are dressed in their embroidered holiday -suits.</span> <span class="smcap">Oswald</span> <span class="dir">stops halfway down, and -leaning over the banisters drops bits of cotton -on the tree</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> See, Mother, it’s snowing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Look, Mother—it’s snowing. (<span class="dir">Turns at -the foot of the stairs and runs back to</span> <span class="smcap">Oswald</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Don’t make such big flakes, Sigurd.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> But I’m making it snow hard.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Oh, look, that fell on a candle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> We need some more snow over here. -Come down and make it snow on these branches.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> But, Mother, we need some most on -this side—like this.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Where is Father?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> He has gone out with Torstein in the -sledge to gather green boughs to make the house -look like Christmas.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> It’ll soon be Christmas, Mother. When -can we light the candles?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> When Father comes home. Have we -used up all the snow, Oswald?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Yes, I will get some more. (<span class="dir">Starts -upstairs.</span>) Oh! (<span class="dir">Draws back as he discovers</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span>, -<span class="dir">who has just entered and is standing on the -landing. He is unkempt and his shabby, black coat -is buttoned up to his chin. His eyes are small and -blurred and his dark hair stands out like a cloud -about his head. But he is not wholly unattractive. -His features are well-formed and his black mustache -is twirled at a proud angle. He carries his music -pen and manuscript. His voice is cracked and -harsh.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Looking up</span>) Why, Ruster!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Shivering</span>) I thought you might be -having punch. My bones are frozen working up in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> -that cold room. It would take a taste of hell-fire to -warm me up. (<span class="dir">Drinking from his flask.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Turning toward the boys—raising her -hand as if to silence</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span>) The punch has not -been made yet, Ruster. Children, have you forgotten -your Christmas cookies? Halla will help you -make them if you run out to her.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Oh, I know what I want to make.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> What, Oswald?—What?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> I want a raisin in mine. (<span class="dir">Pushing open -the door.</span>) Can I, Halla?</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="dir">Exeunt to kitchen.</span> <span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">crosses to</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> If you are cold, Ruster, why not stay -here by the fire and copy your music? Is there -much more to do?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Seating himself and arranging pages</span>) -Liljekrona says there is no hurry. When will he be -home?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> As soon as he has filled the sledge with -boughs, for he knows we need him here on Christmas -Eve. (<span class="dir">She goes to the window. Sleighbells are -heard.</span>) There they are, coming up the drive. We -must have some place to put the branches. (<span class="dir">She -spreads a cloth on the floor.</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">steals a drink -from his flask. The door opens. Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>. -<span class="dir">He is a tall, finely erect man, clad in a heavy -fur coat that is covered with snow. As he takes off -his cap, he discloses a mass of light hair brushed -back from an unusually high forehead. His face -is at once sensitive and strong. He carries a load -of boughs.</span>) Well, what an armful you have!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> (<span class="dir">Gaily</span>) Tell the children I have -brought home the whole forest for our Christmas.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Put down your forest over here. Was -it very cold?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> There has been a fine flurry all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> -morning. (<span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">helps him off with his coat</span>.) But -the fire feels good!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> This is the warmest place in the house.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> How is it going? (<span class="dir">Looking over</span> -<span class="smcap">Ruster’s</span> <span class="dir">shoulder</span>.) You haven’t forgotten how a -page ought to look, have you, Ruster?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> No, I can copy, but I cannot play. I -have almost forgotten the sound of my flute. Nobody -wants a flute-player nowadays! They do not -care for music any more in Varmland and they do -not want to learn.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Yes, Varmland is not like Ekeby -when we knew it.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> It’s a pity we ever left there, Liljekrona! -We have never had such playing since—you -with your violin and I with my flute. Old Torwaldson -waving his angry stick! By Heaven, he -called the souls out of us!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Yes, the violins sobbing—then the -horns, the winds, the basses—each breaking over the -other in thundering waves.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Holy Mother!—that was living!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> And from one patron off on the -road to another, and along the way, what gay evenings -in the tent and at the inn when a man was -free from care!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> How you could play then! Shall I forget -that night in Olaf’s garden? You made your -fiddle sing as though your heart were in tune with -its strings. But now, Christ’s blood! you never play -like that.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> He plays more beautifully now than he -ever did at Ekeby.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> No, there is not so much time for -practice here.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> And the old spirit has gone out of you.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> I sometimes think so myself. It is -hard to settle down after a life of wandering.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> -Something wild keeps crying in my soul, bidding me -be off again.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Why is not home the place for music, -Liljekrona? Surely those who love you most care -most to hear. Must you seek your inspiration from -strangers?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> No, Olga, you are more to me than -a world of strangers. It is you alone who hold me -here.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Yes—you have a warm fire and a full -cellar to keep you at home. (<span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">shrugs -and turns away impatiently</span>.) But what about the -man who has not money enough to fill his flask? -(<span class="dir">Bitterly.</span>) My horse, and carriole, and fur coat—they’re -all gone! (<span class="dir">Drinks, then laughs boisterously.</span>) -But still I have friends—lots of friends in Varmland, -and they’re always glad to see me and give me a -cup of cheer! (<span class="dir">He drains his flask and wipes his -mustache with the back of his hand.</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> -<span class="dir">rises disgustedly and crosses the room</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Pointedly</span>) Have you more copying to -do still, Ruster?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Blinking at her</span>) The “Folksong” is -almost finished. I was thinking, Liljekrona—that -when that is done, there are two others you showed -me yesterday, that would go well with this.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> It is better alone.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> But those two shepherd songs. I took -the book to my room. Wait till I bring it down. -(<span class="dir">He rises unsteadily. Exit.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Going to</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>) Liljekrona, -don’t give him more copying, or we shall be obliged -to keep him over Christmas.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> He must be somewhere.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Our Christmas is spoiled if he stays. He -is so dirty and he drinks so. And think how bad it -is for the children.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> But he is an old friend.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Yet on Christmas Eve—we have kept -thinking how happy we should be, telling stories -and dancing about the tree. And you would play -our favorite tunes. (<span class="dir">She looks wistfully about the -partly decorated room.</span>) But now all the pleasure -is gone if Ruster stays!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Formerly you were glad to see him.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Yes—we all were. But not since he has -become a drunkard. And, Liljekrona, I am -afraid——</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Afraid of what, dear?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Impetuously</span>) Let him go somewhere -else for Christmas.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> How can we send him away? It -would be inhospitable. Nobody wants him any more -than we do.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> But the children, Liljekrona.</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="dir">Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">with book</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Here it is. (<span class="dir">Handing book to</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Yes, I remember.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Shall I copy them?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> No—I can play these from the -book.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> This is a poor transcription. It should -be written in D instead of F.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Well, I can transpose it.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> I have not copied the words for the -“Folksong.” Do you want it done?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> No, it will do as it is.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Well then, it is finished. (<span class="dir">Half-heartedly.</span>) -I suppose I must be going. (<span class="dir">Glances toward -the window.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> (<span class="dir">Indifferently</span>) You had better -stay where you are over Christmas.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Catching the note in</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span></span> -<span class="dir">voice, and with indignant pride</span>.) What do you -mean, Liljekrona, shall I stay here because I have -nowhere else to go? Why, only think how they -are standing and waiting for me in the big ironworks -in the parish of Bro. The guest-room will -be already in order and the glass of welcome filled. -I must hurry. I only do not know to whom I -should go first.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Very well, you may go if you will.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Emphatically</span>) Yes, I must go—at -once.</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="dir">Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Torstein</span> <span class="dir">with logs for the fire</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> If you wish, Torstein will drive you down. -Are the horses still harnessed, Torstein?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Torstein.</span> Yes, Ma’am.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Then bring the sledge around.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> And bring it at once. I have only to -get my treasures and I am ready. (<span class="dir">Picks up his -music pen and <a id="exits"></a><ins title="Original has 'exit'">exits</ins> upstairs.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Torstein.</span> He’s not going to stay over Christmas?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> You must hurry back, Torstein. The -snow is getting deep.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">Exit</span> <span class="smcap">Torstein</span>. <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">looks over the music -sheets on table, and takes money from his -pocket</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> You will slip in something for Christmas?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Of course.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Taking down fur coat and warming it</span>) -Will you lend him your big coat? Torstein can -bring it back. (<span class="dir">After a pause.</span>) As long as he -wishes to go himself, it is as well to let him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">with his belongings tied up in a -blue-striped cotton handkerchief, and his flute -under his arm</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> (<span class="dir">Meeting him and giving him what -he has earned</span>) That is always poor payment for -art, Ruster, but it may serve you, somehow.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Dazedly</span>) Yes.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Will you put on this coat, Ruster? -(<span class="dir">Helping him into coat.</span>) You must keep warm, -and watch that your hands and face are well covered. -And tell Torstein where to take you in Bro.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Shaking himself together and going -toward door</span>) I’ll be there in time for a glass of -punch and the Christmas tree at Erickson’s—or -Oscar’s—or——</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">opens the door for him and he goes -out slowly</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Calling after him</span>) A happy Christmas -to you!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> (<span class="dir">Faintly</span>) Good luck, Ruster.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Dully, from without</span>) Good-bye.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">closes the door and they look out the -window until the sleighbells jingle off</span>. <span class="smcap">Olga</span> -<span class="dir">turns back to the room</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Now as soon as the boughs are up, we -shall be ready for our Christmas tree. Don’t you -think some holly would be nice for the table, Liljekrona? -(<span class="dir">As</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">does not answer, she -stoops and picks up sprigs of holly from the pile -of branches, then goes to the kitchen door and calls</span>.) -Children, what are you doing? Come and bring -your play in here. (<span class="dir">She arranges the holly in a -brass bowl on the long table.</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">begins -to put the boughs up over the door</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Oswald</span>, <span class="dir">carrying with great care a board -with some dough on it, and</span> <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span> <span class="dir">running -ahead with his fingers covered with dough</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> (<span class="dir">Running to</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>) Father! -See my fat dough fingers.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> What are you making, Sigurd?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Christmas things for Halla to bake.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Then they will be brown and we can -eat them just like the round cookies. See, Mother.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Only these aren’t round cookies, -Mother. (<span class="dir">Sits down on the floor with the dough.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> No. There is a Christmas tree.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> And I made a star.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> And I’m going to make—— (<span class="dir">Runs and -whispers to his mother.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> A what, dear?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> (<span class="dir">Looking up from the floor</span>) A little -Christ-Child we’re going to make.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> A little bit of a baby Christ-Child.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Kissing his forehead</span>) That will be a -lovely Christmas task.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> (<span class="dir">Getting up and pulling at</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>, -<span class="dir">who yields</span>) Look, Father! Look at my -cookie! To-night I’ll eat it for supper.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Yes. (<span class="dir">Pause.</span>) I wonder how -many little boys will be eating their Christmas cookies -to-night, and how many will be without a bite of -Christmas dinner, hungry and cold.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Won’t they have any Christmas dinner, -Father?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Some won’t. (<span class="dir">He turns back and -continues to put up boughs.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Why won’t those little boys have any -Christmas dinner, Mother?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Father meant, dear, that some children -are too poor to buy any.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Where are the poor children?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> I’m afraid there are some in every village, -Oswald.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> In our valley, Mother?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Yes, dear, I’m afraid there are.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Then, Mother, if Sigurd and I made -some good cookies, could we take them down to those -poor children?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> If only we knew just where we could -find them, Oswald. It is hard sometimes to know -where the lonely people are, and the hungry ones.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> And when they pass so close as to -touch our sleeve on the way we do not see them, we -do not stop them, but let them plod their path alone.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Stung by</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona’s</span> <span class="dir">remark</span>) It is -a good thought, Oswald. Take them out to Halla -now, so she can bake them before to-morrow.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> I can’t make a Christ-Child, Mother. -<span class="dir">(With a sob.</span>) It doesn’t look like <em>anything</em>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> (<span class="dir">With a laugh</span>) It looks like a star.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Rising</span>) Let me see, dear. I think -Mother would know what that was. Take it to -Halla and she will bake it. Then wash those sticky -hands. It is time to light the tree. (<span class="dir">Exeunt</span> <span class="smcap">Oswald</span> -<span class="dir">and</span> <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span>. <span class="dir">Takes violin from the cabinet -and gives it to</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>.) You will play for us -to dance?—one of the old polkas, Liljekrona.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> (<span class="dir">Pettishly</span>) My E string has -snapped.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Well, put on a new one. Quick, before -the children come back.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">goes slowly upstairs with his violin</span>. -<span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">pulls out the tree from the corner and -starts to light the candles with a taper. Enter</span> -<span class="smcap">Halla</span> <span class="dir">with a punch bowl and the glasses, which -she places on the long table</span>. <span class="smcap">Oswald</span> <span class="dir">and</span> <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span> -<span class="dir">follow, each carrying a plate of cakes</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Mother! Are you lighting the tree instead -of Father?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Yes. Do you want to help?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Oh, yes.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> And I want to, too.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> You shall, dear. But first put the cakes -on the table. (<span class="smcap">Oswald</span> <span class="dir">and</span> <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span> <span class="dir">deposit their -cakes and run to the tree</span>. <span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">gives her taper to</span> -<span class="smcap">Sigurd</span>.) Here, Sigurd, first the low ones—there. -(<span class="dir">Lighting another taper.</span>) Now, Oswald. Can you -do it, dear?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> You light those, Mother. (<span class="dir">Pointing to -higher ones.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> There.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> The top one of all isn’t lit, Mother.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> No, Father is the only one who can reach -that. We’ll have to leave it. Come, Halla.</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="dir">Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">by the stairs without his violin</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> We’re all ready for a polka.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> I have no new string for my fiddle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> But you <em>can</em> play on three strings.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> I can remember no polkas.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Approaching him persuasively</span>) Why, -Liljekrona, can’t you play anything? Sha’n’t we -be able to dance at all?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Torstein is not back yet. He is -the best dancer of all. Perhaps it was hard to find -the house. (<span class="dir">Goes to the window.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Well then, we’ll wait our dancing for -Torstein, and have our punch and cakes while they -are hot.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> The sparrows are twittering about -the window sill most miserably. Where is the pole -with the sheaves for them?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> I did not think of it till now. Did you -remember, Halla?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Halla.</span> No, I didn’t. Poor little things!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> How is it that you forgot on this -day, of all days? Do old customs mean nothing to -you? Or is it the heartlessness of those who shut -their eyes to the meaning of old beliefs? At Ekeby -no one ever forgot!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Disturbed</span>) No, my dear, we are not -heartless. The sheaves shall be put out as soon as -Torstein returns. Come, shall we have our punch -and cakes? Children, are you hungry?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> I am.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> I want a cookie from my plate.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> And there are no candles in the -windows. Nothing is done as it used to be. (<span class="dir">He -seats himself on the wooden bench.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Oh, why—why, I had intended to light -the candles. (<span class="dir">Goes to mantel.</span>) Come, children, -before you have your cookies will you help Mother? -(<span class="dir">She takes from the shelf above the fireplace two -wooden frames, in each of which is set a row of -candles. She lights them and gives one to each of -the boys.</span>) Careful. Put them on the windowsills.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> I want mine in this window. You put -yours over there, Sigurd.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Halla, take the punch to the table by the -fire. (<span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">seats herself near</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>.) Come, -children. (<span class="smcap">Oswald</span> <span class="dir">and</span> <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span> <span class="dir">come to her side</span>.) -Sigurd, do you know why we put candles in the -windows on Christmas Eve?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> So that people can see where we live!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Yes—dear; and there is a story that the -little Christ-Child goes about on Christmas Eve -looking for a welcome. (<span class="dir">She pours some punch for</span> -<span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>, <span class="dir">who is looking intently at her</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> And if he sees our lights, Mother, will -he come to our house?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Yes, dear, and when you hear him say:<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> -“Behold I stand at the door and knock——” (<span class="dir">She -passes glass of punch to</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> (<span class="dir">Ignoring it, and meeting her -glance with a steady gaze</span>) “And if any man hear -my voice and will open the door, I will come in and -sup with him, and he with me.” Your candles are -too late. The door is closed. The voice is gone. -(<span class="dir">Rises and exits slowly to his room.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> (<span class="dir">After a pause</span>) Why did Father go -away, Mother?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Halla.</span> Is it anything the matter with the punch, -Ma’am?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Hesitating</span>) No, Halla, it’s not the -punch—I think he’s not—very happy——</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Won’t he come back, Mother? Who -will tell us stories?</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">Wild music is heard from</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona’s</span> <span class="dir">room. It -rises and falls in passionate rushes and casts a -spell over those who listen</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Rising suddenly at the sound</span>) He is -playing. Why—he has not played like that since he -came home. It is his great heart full of revolt from -all that is small about us. “You thought to bind -me,” he is saying, “you thought to make me as small-minded -as yourselves.” Oh, I was wrong! I -thought to shut out unhappiness, but with it I have -shut out love. To-morrow he will be gone, if God -does not work a miracle in the night. (<span class="dir">She sinks -into her chair and covers her face with her hands. -The boys sit quite still and look with awe at their -mother.</span> <span class="smcap">Halla</span> <span class="dir">wrings her hands in a half-understanding -and miserable way</span>.)</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="dir">Sleighbells are heard.</span> <span class="smcap">Halla</span> <span class="dir">goes to the window</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Halla.</span> It must be Torstein come back again at -last. No, there are two of them. And yet that’s -Torstein. He’s getting out. He’s helping the other. -(<span class="dir">In a tone of horror.</span>) Why, it must be Ruster -with him!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Until now heedless, looking and drying -her eyes</span>) <em>Ruster</em>, did you say, Halla? Has Ruster -come back again? (<span class="dir">She approaches the window -and looks out.</span>) Surely it is he! (<span class="dir">She opens the -door. The two men enter. They are covered with -snow.</span> <span class="smcap">Torstein</span> <span class="dir">is blue with the cold, and</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span> -<span class="dir">seems half-frozen. His mustache hangs down over -his mouth. He leans on</span> <span class="smcap">Torstein</span>. <span class="dir">The children -jump up from the floor.</span>) Ruster, you are welcome -back to Lofdala. (<span class="dir">She loosens his coat and leads -him, with</span> <span class="smcap">Torstein’s</span> <span class="dir">help, to the fire</span>. <span class="smcap">Halla</span> <span class="dir">draws -up the armchair into which</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">sinks weakly. -The children watch.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Torstein.</span> (<span class="dir">Apologetically</span>) I had to bring him -back, Ma’am. At every house they were either going -away over Christmas, or were crowded with -company. They didn’t even ask him to get out of -the sledge. And the snow was so thick I thought -we’d both be frozen.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> You did well to bring him, Torstein. -(<span class="dir">She rubs</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster’s</span> <span class="dir">hands to give them life</span>. <span class="smcap">Torstein</span> -<span class="dir">stands by the fire</span>.) Halla, is the punch still -hot?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Halla.</span> Yes, Ma’am.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Then pour out a glass. It will warm him.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="smcap">Halla</span> <span class="dir">pours out two glasses. One she gives to</span> -<span class="smcap">Torstein</span>, <span class="dir">the other</span> <span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">holds to</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster’s</span> -<span class="dir">lips</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Torstein.</span> (<span class="dir">Smacking his lips</span>) Um! That puts -life into you! (<span class="dir">Sets down his glass.</span>) Well, I must<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -drive the horses around, or they’ll be drifted in.</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="dir">Exit by front door.</span> <span class="smcap">Oswald</span> <span class="dir">and</span> <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span> <span class="dir">watch -from the window</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Gaining consciousness and looking -about with a sad, puzzled expression</span>) How did I -come here again? It is strange, all strange to be in -Liljekrona’s house—I thought—— (<span class="dir">Abruptly.</span>) -Why are you so kind to me? I am only an old -broken-down instrument....</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> We are glad to see you, Ruster! And I -want you to think—you have never been away. Let -me have your wet coat. (<span class="dir">Helps him out of it.</span>) -Halla will dry it in the kitchen.</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="dir">Exit</span> <span class="smcap">Halla</span> <span class="dir">with coat</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Refilling his glass and putting it on the -table by him</span>) Are you warmer now?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Yes—quite warm, thank you.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> (<span class="dir">Offering the cookie he has been holding</span>) -Here’s a cookie. (<span class="smcap">Sigurd</span>, <span class="dir">who is about to eat -the last fragment of his, stops and holds it out to</span> -<span class="smcap">Ruster</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Starting up suddenly</span>) I can’t stay -here! I am of no use—here—or anywhere!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Putting a hand on his arm</span>) You are -mistaken, Ruster. You may help, if you will. I -must attend to setting the table for dinner and the -children will be quite forsaken. Will you look after -them a little?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Rising, alarmed</span>) I can’t do that!—Why, -I—they——</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">Exit</span> <span class="smcap">Olga</span>, <span class="dir">resolutely</span>. <span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">looks after her, -then turns, and seeing his glass of punch on the -table, starts to pick it up. He encounters the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> -steady gaze of the children, restrains himself -and fumbles in his pocket. He draws out his -flute and blows a note on it. The boys come -closer.</span>)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> How do you do that? (<span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">does -not answer, but blows again</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Why do you lift your fingers?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> To make the notes.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Let me try! (<span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">places his little -fingers over two of the stops</span>. <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span> <span class="dir">blows, but no -sound comes</span>. <span class="smcap">Oswald</span> <span class="dir">laughs</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Let <em>me</em> try! (<span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">shows him also—but -still no tone</span>.) How do you do it? (<span class="dir">He tries -again.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> I blow in here. (<span class="dir">Showing them.</span>) And -I keep the holes covered with my fingers. When I -want to make a note, I lift up a finger, like this. -(<span class="dir">He blows.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Blow another.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Blows another. Then both over again</span>) -This is A and this is B.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> A and B. You can’t play <em>them</em>. -They’re letters.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Yes, and in music they are the names -of the notes. (<span class="dir">Takes out a score and with a crayon -makes a few notes.</span>) This is the way they look.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Let me see.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> No! That’s not right! That’s not -what’s in our storybook! See—I’ll show you. (<span class="dir">He -runs to music cabinet, and from lower cupboard -pulls out a battered cloth book.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">To</span> <span class="smcap">Sigurd</span>) Can this boy spell his -name?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> Yes—S I G U R D!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> See—look at <em>our</em> book. There isn’t -any A and B like that! That is A and that is B. -(<span class="dir">Pointing.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Can you read that?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> Yes, I can read it.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">with tablecloth, glasses and silver. -She smiles at the group and quietly begins to -arrange the table.</span>)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> (<span class="dir">Reading</span>) “Far away, in the deep -forest there once grew——”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Both Children.</span> “A pretty Fir-<em>Tree</em>. The sun -shone full upon <em>him</em>, the breeze played freely around -<em>him</em>, and in the n—n——” (<span class="dir">Looking up questioningly -at</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> “Neigh-bor-hood.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> “Neighborhood grew many Fir-Trees.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Both Children.</span> “Some older, some younger.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Oswald.</span> (<span class="dir">Turning from the book</span>) Look—I’ll -draw you a fir-tree. (<span class="dir">He draws on</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster’s</span> <span class="dir">music -score—spreading it on the floor</span>.)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sigurd.</span> (<span class="dir">Slowly</span>) “But the little Fir-Tree was -not happy; he was always long—longing to be tall; -he th—th——”</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="smcap">Ruster</span>, <span class="dir">who during the last part of the reading has -been paying no attention, suddenly covers his -face with his hands. His shoulders shake a little.</span> -<span class="smcap">Sigurd</span> <span class="dir">looks up frightened</span>. <span class="smcap">Olga</span> <span class="dir">crosses -quickly to him</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Gently</span>) Ruster—Ruster! Don’t feel -badly!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Sobbing softly</span>) Yes—I am of no use -any more.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Sympathetically</span>) I know—I know. -You cannot make a living by your music and you -are destroying yourself with brandy. You have -been turned away from every door where you have -knocked. But, Ruster——</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> Yes, I am worn out. I ought to be -thrown away! Nobody needs me.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> But don’t you see that to be with the -children, as to-night, would be something for you? -If you would teach children you would be welcomed -everywhere. Look at them, Ruster! (<span class="dir">She places -the boys in front of him.</span>) Look at them!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruster.</span> (<span class="dir">Blinking</span>) I dare not!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Laughing joyously</span>) Then you must -accustom yourself to them, Ruster! Perhaps you -could help them with their reading. They need a -schoolmaster! (<span class="dir">Turning to children triumphantly.</span>) -How would you like that, children?</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">Enter</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span>, <span class="dir">violin under his arm</span>. <span class="smcap">Ruster</span> -<span class="dir">remains motionless by the fireplace with -bowed head</span>.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Why are you laughing, Olga, what -is it?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Nothing—but that Ruster has come -again!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> (<span class="dir">Perplexed</span>) Ruster here again?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Beaming</span>) Yes, and he is going to stay -with us to teach our little boys.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> Ruster! (<span class="dir">With amazement</span>) You -have asked him to teach——?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> Yes, Oswald and Sigurd. He has been -helping them this afternoon.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> But—has he promised to give -up——?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> He has promised nothing. But there is -much about which he must be careful when he has to -look little children in the eyes every day.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> You’re sure he can do it?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Not heeding</span>) If it had not been Christmas, -perhaps I should not have ventured; but if our -Lord dared to place His own son among us sinners,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> -surely we can dare to let our children try to save a -human soul.</p> - -<p class="center">(<span class="smcap">Liljekrona’s</span> <span class="dir">face twitches and twists. He gently -kisses his wife’s hand as if asking forgiveness.</span>)</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Liljekrona.</span> The children must come and kiss -their Mother’s hand! (<span class="dir">They do so, though not -just knowing why.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Olga.</span> (<span class="dir">Going to</span> <span class="smcap">Ruster</span> <span class="dir">and holding out her -hand</span>) Ruster, it is you who have made our Christmas -happy. (<span class="dir">He kisses her hand.</span>)</p> - -<p class="center">CURTAIN</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangin">(<span class="dir">The lifted curtain reveals the whole family gathered -about the tree</span>, <span class="smcap">Halla</span>, <span class="smcap">Torstein</span> <span class="dir">and all, -while</span> <span class="smcap">Liljekrona</span> <span class="dir">lights the topmost candle</span>.)</p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="pfs120">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE</p> - -<p>The cover image was repaired to remove a library sticker and is placed -in the public domain.</p> - -<p>Punctuation and text was retained as in the original except for -a change on page 17, “and exit upstairs” to “and <a href="#exits">exits</a> upstairs”.</p></div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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