Nursery Comedies. Bell Florence Eveleen Eleanore Olliffe

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      C. L. – Exactly! That's what we're afraid of. We're going to the Queen of England to see what she can do.

      T. L. – A very good thing to do! I'll come with you and explain it all to her. Oho!

      C. L. – Are you sure you're not too fat to walk so far?

      T. L. – Too fat! Aha! On the contrary, I shall make you look respectable. We shall be admitted to the Queen at once. I'll just gobble first to let her know we're coming.

      (Gobbles. They prepare to start as before, Turky in front. A voice outside is heard.)

      Voice. – Stop! Stop! Good people, one moment, if you please.

      D. D. – Why it's Mr. Fox!

      H. P. – Is it safe to let him come?

      T. L. – Oh dear, yes! There are quite enough of us to be a match for him. Oho! Aha!

Enter Mr. Fox

      Mr. F. – Good afternoon, my friends. What a pleasant gathering you have here! You look as though you were going to enjoy yourselves.

      C. L. – Alas! No! Nothing so festive. We are going to London on most serious business.

      Mr. F. – To London?

      G. P. – Yes, indeed! The whole sky has got loose and is slipping about in the most dangerous manner.

      D. D. – It would have killed Henny Penny if she hadn't got under a beanstack.

      Mr. F. – Oh how horrible! What shall we do?

      C. L. – We're going to London to tell the Queen.

      Mr. F. – To London! Why, that is capital! I'm going there myself.

      D. D. – Are you, indeed!

      Mr. F. – And what's more, I know a short cut to London, that will get you there in less than half the time.

      C. L. – Oh, then, pray show it to us. Every minute is precious.

      Mr. F. – You can't possibly mistake the road. Directly you get out of here, you will see a dark path to the right, that looks rather like the entrance to a cavern. However, you may be sure it leads to London, and you'll find the Queen sitting at the other end of it.

      T. L. – Ah! that's capital! Oho! Aha! Hurrah!

      Mr. F. – You all go on in front, and I'll bring up the rear, in case a lion comes up behind us.

      C. L. – We'll go in single file this time.

      (Exit, each making his own noise. Fox follows, slyly dancing.)

      (After a minute all their voices heard together, then a pause. Fox re-enters covered with feathers. He crosses the stage silently, with a smile.)

      Mr. F. – Henny Penny was the nicest! The others were rather tough!

Curtain

      LITTLE PETSY

      CHARACTERS

      MRS. SIMONDS.

      MRS. ROBERTS.

      PETSY.

      LITTLE PETSY

Mrs. Roberts discovered, in walking things

      Mrs. R. – I wish Mrs. Simonds would appear! It is so rude to keep people waiting in this way when they come to see you. (Looks at books, etc.) Well, I wonder how much longer she's going to be. I would not have come if I had not wanted to explain to her about that bazaar we are getting up.

Enter Petsy with toys

      Ah, how do you do, darling? How are you? Will you shake hands? (Petsy turns away.) You don't know my name, do you?

      P. – I do, then.

      Mrs. R. – You do? Who am I?

      P. – You're Mrs. Roberts. I know it, because the maid came and told Mamma so, and then Mamma said, "Mrs. Roberts, bother!" and she told me to come and say she would be here in a minute.

      Mrs. R. – (Aside.) Delightful child, this. (Aloud.) Then as you know my name, won't you shake hands?

      P. – Shan't.

      (Makes a face at Mrs. R., and turns her back to her.)

Enter Mrs. Simonds

      Mrs. S. – Ah, my dear Mrs. Roberts, I am so glad to see you.

      Mrs. R. – (Aside.) So I understand!

(They shake hands.)

      Mrs. S. – I am so sorry to have kept you waiting. I was just taking off my things.

(Draws forward chair for Mrs. R., they sit.)

      Mrs. R. – Oh, not at all. I've not been here very long.

      Mrs. S. – I sent down my little Petsy to amuse you.

      Mrs. R. – Oh, thank you, yes, she came.

      Mrs. S. – It is impossible to feel dull where she is. Such an original child, so full of life!

      Mrs. R. – Oh, indeed! I came to see you, Mrs. Simonds, about the charity bazaar at Wandsworth.

      Mrs. S. – The bazaar, yes.

      P. – (Loud.) Ma! Ma! How long is she going to stay?

      Mrs. S. – (Smiling.) Oh, dear, dear, Petsy, Mrs. Roberts will be quite shocked at you! She will really, won't you, Mrs. Roberts?

      Mrs. R. – (Tries to smile.) Oh, dear no! Sweet child!

      (Petsy goes on making a noise with drum, while Mrs. Roberts tries to speak.)

      Mrs. R. – (Obliged to shout.) It seems – there has been some difficulty – about the hall.

      Mrs. S. – About the hall – yes. (Looking round at Petsy.) She is such a merry child, it makes one quite happy to see her!

      Mrs. R. – (Aside.) I am glad it has that effect upon some one!

      Mrs. S. – You were saying about the hall —

      P. – Ma! Mamma!

      Mrs. S. – Yes, darling, yes. About the hall —

      P. – Ma! Ma! Ma!

      Mrs. S. – I don't know why there should be any difficulty —

      P. – Ma! Ma!

      Mrs. S. – What is it, my dear one? What do you want?

      P. – May I play with the silver inkstand?

      Mrs. S. – If you'll take great care of it, yes. (To Mrs. R.) Did you ever hear such ideas as the child has? Such an active mind, never СКАЧАТЬ