(_Dorothy dusts room, while Mrs. Brown is seated at table mending._)
_Dorothy._ (_mournfully_). Well, mother, it don’t look much like
Christmas with father and Rob away. I suppose you are going to
celebrate by mending, so I’ll get out that old blue waist and see if I
can patch it up to look more respectable. (_Searches in mending basket
and brings out waist ... Holds it up to view._) It’s pretty hopeless
though! (_satirically_). What a merry lively Christmas it will be!
_Mrs. B._ (_cheerfully_). Things might be lots and lots worse,
daughter. Since your father had to be away, I’m glad that Rob could
keep him company, and we’ll have a postponed Christmas when they come
back. Thread this needle for me, please. Your eyes are better than
mine. (_Dorothy threads needle._)
_Dorothy._ (_handing needle to her mother_). A postponed Christmas is
as cheerful as a warmed over pancake! But let’s open the box instead of
waiting for father. He won’t care.
_Mrs. B._ (_hesitatingly_). I had planned to wait till he came back
but there may be something perishable in the box.
_Dorothy._ Perishable! Everything perished long before it reached us!
Wait till I get the hammer and chisel to open it.
(_Exit Dorothy._)
_Mrs. B._ (_sadly_). Poor Dorothy! How I would love to have pretty,
dainty clothes for her and how she would enjoy them.
(_Enter Dorothy with child’s shabby hat on head._)
_Dorothy._ (_smiling_). This is the hat that was sent last year, so do
you wonder I am pessimistic about this year’s box? (_Tosses hat into
corner_). Well, now for the opening, and I’ll be hopeful anyway.
_Mrs. B._ Look out for your fingers!
_Dorothy._ (_cheerfully_). O I’m a fine amateur carpenter! This lid was
nailed on to stay, though! (_Removes lid from box._)
_Dorothy._ (_surprised_). Well, I never! Mother, mother, put down that
old mending and look here! (_Takes mending from her mother._) Did you
ever see such a lovely box!
_Mrs. B._ (_also surprised_). What a beautiful box! Is it really meant
for us?
_Dorothy._ Here’s the label all right. Mrs. David Brown, and that’s
you! Just see the holly! Isn’t it Christmas-y? (_Places sprig of holly
in her hair._)
_Mrs. B._ (_hesitating_). Hadn’t we better wait till your father and
Rob come?
_Dorothy._ (_reproachfully_). Wait? O mother what outrageous cruelty!
Why my fingers just itch to open those packages. There don’t seem to be
any labels, but we can guess at them. You take the first.
_Mrs. B._ (_takes parcel, unwraps and displays white embroidered
waist_). Isn’t that exquisite?
_Dorothy._ (_enthusiastically_). Why, mother, you’ll look as pretty as
a picture in it. Stand up and let’s see how it looks on you. (_Holds up
waist upon her mother._)
_Dorothy._ Mother, you just look sweet. And now for my turn. (_Takes
parcels, unwraps, and holds up dress with flowered sash._)
_Dorothy._ (_excited_). Why mother I never had any thing like this in
my life! It’s the first thing that I’ve ever owned that didn’t look
as if some one had worn it till they were sick of it, first. I wish I
could see it in the glass. Who’s our fairy godmother?
_Mrs. B._ Why the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Meadowbrooke Church. Don’t
you remember that they wrote, saying that they were sending a box?
_Dorothy._ Well, this is surely some box! Now mother, it’s your turn!
_Mrs. B._ (_unwraps sweater_). This must be for Rob! How pleased he
will be! I’ll wrap it up again.
_Dorothy._ That may be Rob’s but I know I’m going to borrow it
sometimes! (_Tries on sweater._)
_Mrs. B._ Now it’s your turn to take a package.
_Dorothy._ It’s just like Aladdin’s lamp. (_takes package_). Now I
wonder what this is? (_Opens box_). O mother what lovely neckwear! It’s
almost too dainty to touch. That pale blue will look so pretty with
your waist. Did I ever see such a box!
_Mrs. B._ (_taking parcel_). I guess I am as excited as you are about
it, Dorothy. (_Opens package_). This scarf must be for your father, and
see, here are gloves to go with it.
_Dorothy._ Then I am going to throw away those gloves which you have
mended and mended till they are nothing but mends. (_Takes gloves from
mending basket and throws them in waste basket._)
_Mrs. B._ (_reprovingly_). It doesn’t take you long to learn to be
extravagant!
_Dorothy._ (_taking large package from box_). I wonder what’s in this
big one. The best way to find out is to open it. (_Opens package
and holds up eiderdown robe._) O mother, won’t this be nice for you,
so warm and comfy! You must try it on right away! (_Slips robe over
mother’s shoulders._)
_Mrs. B._ I’ll enjoy this I know! Now for my turn. (_Opens box of
handkerchiefs._) How dainty and pretty! We’ll divide these, but you
mustn’t lose one!
_Dorothy._ My turn for the fairy gift box. (_Opens parcel._) A fur cap
for Father! _Won’t_ he be pleased! (_Tries cap on._) This looks nicely
on me, but I mustn’t be selfish!
_Mrs. B._ I should hope not, with all the lovely gifts, that you
have! (_Takes prettily decorated package._) Candy! Well, this is for
everybody! I’ll just keep it till father and Rob come back.
_Dorothy._ (_reaching for it_). Perishable goods!
_Mrs. B._ (_firmly_). I know it will be perishable if I put it where
you can get it!
_Dorothy._ (_resigned_). Well, I’ll be patient and wait. Now I’ll put
back father’s and Rob’s presents, and then I’ll take some of this holly
and decorate with it. Dear me! We won’t recognize ourselves!
_Mrs. B._ (_earnestly_). I am going to write at once to the
Meadowbrooke ladies, and tell them what a beautiful Christmas they have
made for us.
_Dorothy._ I take back all I said about a blue Christmas, and while you
write _I’m_ going to try on my new clothes.
CURTAIN.