nnis,
they've pinched me ould mother.

GOOGIN. It's all a mistake, Hogan.

HOGAN (_to_ MISS M.). Ye say a man ran into you in the street and left
this hat in your hand?

MISS M. Yes, sir.

HOGAN (_to_ KITTY). And you say it's your hat?

KITTY. Of course it is.

WARREN (_goes to_ HOGAN, _gives him a five-dollar bill_). I think that
will be all, officer. Merry Christmas.

HOGAN. Merry Christmas to all of yeez. (_Exits L., followed by_
EDDIE.)

KITTY. Mrs. Googin, this is my aunt, Miss Mockridge from Kankakee.

MRS. GOOGIN. Sure, I thought it was me ould mother from Kilkenny. Ye
look enough like her to be her own twin sister, ye do.

GOOGIN. I came up to inform yeez that the taxi do be waiting.

MISS M. Taxi? Are you going out?

KITTY (_looks at_ WARREN). Well--er--that is--er we--

WARREN. Yes, er--we thought you weren't coming.

MISS M. Where are you going?

KITTY. We were going to a masquerade dinner dance, but now that you've
come we'll stay at home.

GOOGIN (_to_ MISS M.). Ye'd better go to the dance, mum. Ye'll have
the time of yer life. Faith, they've nothin' like it in Kankakee.
Come on, Honoria.

MRS. GOOGIN. All of yeez come down and take tea wid me in the marnin'
fer breakfast. Merry New Year and happy Christmas to all. I'm a lady
and me mother was a lady before me, and I knows a lady whin I sees
her. So I wish yeez all a happy Christmas and many of them. (_Exits R.
with_ GOOGIN.)

WARREN. Shall I send the taxi away, Kittens?

MISS M. I should say not. I'm going to that masquerade ball, if it's
the last thing I ever do. That's why I came to New York. (_Takes out
purse._) Here's a hundred and twenty dollars. That's enough to see us
through until breakfast, isn't it?

KITTY. We mustn't keep the taxi waiting. Come on, auntie. We're going
to show you the time of your life.

MISS M. But I haven't any costume.

KITTY (_puts the hat on her head_). There you are. Now you're all
fixed. I knew I could make some use of my Christmas hat. Hurry,
Warren. (They hurry out R. as curtain falls.)

CURTAIN.

NOTES ON THE PRODUCTION.

This little satire on Christmas giving has been written to provide
forty-five minutes of amusement for a holiday audience. The stage
settings are very simple, a room with two doors being all that is
required.

COSTUMES.

WARREN--A brisk young business man of about twenty-five. Ordinary
winter suit for first entrance. Change to white Pierrot costume with
white