ter. Ho! Ho! Ho! He goes off into a roar of laughter, and
everybody else begins laughing, and they laugh more and more, until
they have to lean up against the wall and the table, and wipe their
eyes.

When the laughing has stopped, SANTA CLAUS says, There's only one
person I don't believe I can quite forgive, and that's the sly puss of
a fairy, who gave me the plum pudding. She knew what would happen well
enough. Where is she? He looks around for her. Why, she's gone.

So she has, says GERTRUDE, looking around. They've both gone.

And the brownies, too, says WALTER.

And I must be going this very minute, exclaims SANTA CLAUS. Goodness
knows how late it is. He goes toward the door. Good-bye, everybody.
Good-bye till next Christmas. Just at the door he turns, and says,
By the way, I've got some more of those hazel nuts at home. What do
you think I'd better do with them?

Santa Claus, says GRANDMOTHER, bring them with you next Christmas,
and let's do it all over again.

Shall I? asks SANTA CLAUS, looking around at them all.

Yes, yes, they ALL cry.

It's a bargain, says SANTA CLAUS. Don't forget. Next Christmas.
Good-bye. He opens the door to go out.

Good-bye till next Christmas, they ALL call after him, and they
wave their hands to him as the Curtain closes.

And this is the end of the Play.

Characters And Costumes

SPEAKING PARTS

MOTHER GOOSE--The conventional costume; full skirt, peaked hat, cane,
spectacles, mitts. It is effective for her to draw her lips tight over
her teeth so that her speech is that of a toothless old woman.

GRANDFATHER--} simple indoor clothes
GRANDMOTHER--} suitable for farmer folk.

FATHER--At first in working clothes; afterwards a bit spruced up; cap
and gloves for first entrance.

MOTHER--At first in working clothes and apron; better clothes for the
third scene.

WALTER--A boy; at first outdoor clothes; indoor clothes underneath.

GERTRUDE--A girl, a little younger than Walter; at first outdoor
clothes; indoor clothes underneath, different in the third scene.

SILENT PARTS

BROWNIES--Two little boys; dressed all in brown.

HOUSE FAIRIES--Two little girls; conventional fairy costumes, with
gauze wings.

TRANSFORMED GROWN-UPS--Three boys and two girls: the smallest and
fattest boy, representing Santa Claus, should be dressed in white with
red bow necktie and red stockings, the others in ordinary children's
clothes.

Scenery And Scenic Effect