you
have done.
Temptation it is ever best to shun!

_Joe's M._ So laudable his wish, I would not cross it--
(_Mysteriously._) He knows not there are jam-pots in yon
closet!

_Chorus._ Away we go tripping,
From boughs to be stripping
Each pear, plum, and pippin
Pomona supplies!

When homeward we've brought 'em,
Those products of Autumn,
We'll carefully sort 'em
(_One of our old Music-hall rhymes_),
According to size! [_Repeat as they caper out._

[JOE'S Mother, _after one fond, lingering look behind, follows: the
voices are heard more and more faintly in the distance. Stage darkens;
the last ray of sunset illumines key of jam-cupboard door._

_Joe._ At last I am alone! Suppose I tried
That cupboard--just to see what's kept inside?
[_Seems drawn towards it by some fatal fascination._
There _might_ be Guava jelly, and a plummy cake,
For such a prize I'd laugh to scorn a stomach-ache!
[_Laughs a stomach-ache to scorn._
And yet (_hesitating_) who knows?--a pill?... perchance--a powder!
(_Desperately_). What then? To scorn I'll laugh them--even louder!

[_Fetches chair and unlocks cupboard. Doors fall open with loud clang,
revealing Interior of Jam Closet_ (_painted by_ HAWES CRAVEN). JOE
_mounts chair to explore shelves. Vide poem, "How sorry I am, He ate
raspberry jam, And currants that stood on the shelf!"_

_Joe_ (_speaking with mouth full, and back to audience_).
'Tis raspberry--of all the jams my favourite;
I'll clear the pot, whate'er I have to pay for it!
And finish up with currants from this shelf....
Who'll ever see me?

_The Demon of the Jam Closet_ (_rising slowly from an immense pot of
preserves_). None--except Myself!

[_The cupboard is lit up by an infernal glare_ (_courteously lent by the
Lyceum Management from "Faust" properties_); _weird music;_ JOE _turns
slowly and confronts the Demon with awestruck eyes;_ N.B.--_Great
opportunity for powerful acting here._

_The Demon_ (_with a bland sneer_). Pray don't mind _me_--I will await
your leisure.

_Joe_ (_automatically_). Of your acquaintance, Sir, I've not the
pleasure.
Who _are_ you? Wherefore have you intervened?

_The Demon_ (_quietly_). My name is "Jim-Jam"; oc