ith Father
Christmas! My goose must have known there was going to be a reunion
of the Goose and Christmas families! She was so obliging as to lay
another egg in honor of the occasion. You shall have it, Father
Christmas, and may good luck go with it. (_Hands egg._)

_Father Christmas_: Thank you, Jack. That's a present worth having! I
wish my son Santa Claus had as fine a gift to put in every poor body's
stocking. He is out on his rounds now, but expects to be back, as he
said, "before the fun begins."

_Jack_: Santa's always ready for fun!

_Mother Goose (taking Jack's hand, as he stands beside her_):

"This, my son Jack,
Is a smart-looking lad;
He is not very good,
Nor yet very bad."
_(Sound of voices outside_.)

_Jack_: Dear me, mother! I can't stir without those young ones
following me! _(Sound of voices and knocking.)_

_Children (outside):_ Jack! Jack!

_Jack (calling):_ All right. Come in. I'm here, and Mother Goose and
Father Christmas, too. Surprise us all by being good, won't you?

(Enter, two by two, Little Bo-Peep with a bundle of lamb's
wool suspended from a shepherdess crook; Little Jack Horner,
carrying carefully a deep pan covered with paper pie crust;
Little Miss Muffett, carrying a bowl and spoon; Peter Pumpkin
Eater, with a pumpkin under his arm; Curly Locks, with a
piece of needlework; Little Boy Blue, with a Christmas horn;
Contrary Mary, with a string of bells for bracelets, and
carrying shells; Little Tommy Tucker, with a sheet of music;
Jack and Jill, carrying a pail; Simple Simon, finger in mouth,
looking as idiotic as possible; Polly Flinders, in a
torn dress, sprinkled with ashes. The children march
and countermarch to music around Mother Goose and Father
Christmas, bowing as they pass them. When Mother Goose
claps her hands the children group themselves on her side of
platform, not in a stiff row, but as naturally as possible.
As one after another comes forward for his or her speech, the
others appear to be conversing among themselves, making the
by-play in keeping with their characters.)

_Mother Goose:_ Tell Father Christmas your names now, my pretty ones,
and give him the presents you have brought in his honor.

_Little Bo-Peep (coming forward)_: I'm little Bo-Peep who lost her
sheep. I bring you some fine lamb's wool to keep you warm, Father
Christmas.

_(Father Christmas receives with a grac