First Child behind chair.--Oh! dear, how dull our street always is. I
declare nothing nice ever comes this way.
Second Child.--No, I quite agree with you. Why, I haven't seen a
"Punch and Judy" for months. I wish my mother would go and live in
another street.
Third Child.--Never mind, let us go out and have a game.
(Enter five or six children--or a lesser number, if more
convenient--carrying toy musical instruments.)
First Child.--Hurrah! Here comes a German band. Come along, children;
let's go and listen to it.
(The band groups itself at the end of the street, and the children
stand round. After tuning up, the band begins to play.)
Second Child.--Now, Mary Jane, we can dance. I'll dance with you.
Third Child.--No, I want to dance with Mary Jane.
First Child.--I don't want to dance at all.
Second Child.--You must.
Third Child.--Yes, you must.
(Band ceases playing and one of the bandsmen comes round for money.)
First Child.--I haven't any money.
Second Child.--But we haven't begun to dance yet.
Bandsman.--You shouldn't have been so long arguing then. Surely you'll
give the band a nickel, after all the pretty music it has played?
First Child.--I won't.
Second Child.--I won't.
Third Child.--And I won't.
Bandsman.--Well, you are mean. Come along. (Beckoning to the rest of
the band.) We'll go, and it will be a long time before we come down
this street again.
(Curtain falls.)