TIME OF PLAYING--_About Forty-five Minutes._

* * * * *

_For description of costumes, scenery, etc., see "Remarks on
Production" at the end of the play._

ACT I.

SCENE: _A room in_ FATHER FRITZ'S _house. Doors at R. and L. Small
table down L. with three chairs around it. Sofa down R. Easy chair
down C. Lighted lamp on table. Window at rear._ DUMPLING _is seated on
a rocking-horse at rear C._ GRANDPA _stands by him helping him rock
it._ TOOTSY _is on a rocking-horse at L. front, with_ FATHER _and_
MOTHER _helping her rock it._ SNOOKUMS _is on a baby rocking-horse at
R. front, with_ GRANDMA _and_ NURSE MAID _in attendance. Very little
furniture on stage. If the rocking-horses are not easy to get,_
DUMPLING _and_ TOOTSY _may be astride of sticks with horses' heads._

_Curtain rises to bright music._

ALL (_sing_).

HOP, HOP, HOP!

[Music illustration:

1. Hop, hop, hop! Nim-ble as a top,
Where 'tis smooth and where 'tis sto-ny,
Trudge a-long, my lit-tle po-ny,
Hop, hop, hop, hop, hop! Nim-ble as a top.

2. Whoa, whoa, whoa! How like fun you go!
Ver-y well, my lit-tle po-ny,
Safe's our jaunt tho' rough and sto-ny,
Spare, spare, spare, spare, spare! Sure e-nough we're there.

3. Here, here, here! Yes, my po-ny dear;
Now with oats and hay I'll treat you,
And with smiles will ev-er greet you,
Po-ny, po-ny dear! Yes, my po-ny dear.]

DUMPLING (_dismounting_). Whoa, there, Jimmie! Oh, Grandpa, I do love
my pony. It's the best of all my presents.

GRANDPA. Well, it's time you put him in his stall.

TOOTSY (_dismounting_). I'm going to call my pony after Mr. ----.
(_Insert the name of some well known man._) 'Cause he looks just like
him.

GRANDMA (_helping_ SNOOKUMS _from pony_). And what are you going to
call your pony, Snookums?

SNOOKUMS. Going to call him Elizabeth, after you, Grandma.

GRANDMA (_kisses her_). That's my baby!

MOTHER. Grandma, we'd better get our hats and coats. It's nearly time
for the car to be after us.

FATHER. Come, Grandpa. It's nearly eight o'clock.

GRANDPA. But I don't like to leave the children.

DUMPLING. And we don't like to have you leave us, either. My, this has
been the grandest Christmas day I've ever seen.

MOTHER. Come, Grandma. (_Exits L. with_ GRANDMA.)

GRANDPA. Come, children. (_They gather around him._) I'm glad you've
had such a happy Christmas. You got e