; _Santa Claus_, a stout, roly-poly
boy, if possible, wearing a long overcoat flaked with cotton
(to represent snow) and a round fur cap and mittens; an empty
pack should hang carelessly from one shoulder.)

(Enter _Father Christmas_ and _Mother Goose_, arm in arm.
While conversing, they walk up and down the platform. At the
end of Mother Goose's second speech, they seat themselves
in two large arm-chairs, which should be ready in middle of
platform.)

_Mother Goose_:

Well, well, Father Christmas, I'll do as you say,
And put off my trip for the frolic to-day.
Your thought of a Christmas reunion is fine
For all of our relatives--yours, sir, and mine;--
So, though greatly disposed at this season to wander
Afloat in the air on my very fine gander,
Instead of such exercise, wholesome and hearty,
I've come with great pleasure to your Christmas party.

_Father Christmas (bowing):_

Thanks, thanks, Mother Goose, for the honor you pay
To me your old friend now this many a day;
Tho' we may not, of course, on all questions agree,
We're alike in our love for the children, you see:
To give them delight is our greatest of pleasures,
And freely we share with them best of our treasures;
Our energies each of us constantly bends
To keep our loved title "The Children's Two Friends."

_Mother Goose_:

Ah, yes, Father Christmas, my jingles and rhymes,
The boys and girls know in far separate climes,
And sometimes I think that your son Santa Claus
Earns me more than my share of the children's applause;
For wherever he goes with his wonderful pack
Santa always has some of my books on his back;
When from Christmas-eve dreams children's eyelids unloose
Oft they find in their stockings my book, "Mother Goose."

_Father Christmas_:

Tis true, my dear madam, that I and my son
Respect most profoundly the work you have done.
The boys from our store-rooms in Christmas-tree Land,
Get the bonbons we make on the Sugar-loaf Strand;
The children enjoy them,--I cannot deny it,--
But still need your writings as part of their diet;
Your rhymes, wise and witty, their minds will retain
When their toys and their candy are done,--that is plain.

(Enter Jack, the son of Mother Goose. He carries a large
golden egg.)

_Jack_: Oh, there you are, Mother Goose, hobnobbing w