dilocks._ How can we when I don't know the way? I'm tired, and I
think I'll rest awhile in this nice big rocking-chair. But it's too
high; I can't get into it.

_Dollie._ Don't move it out of its place.

_Goldilocks._ Never mind! I'll try the middle-sized chair. I don't like
this, it is too low.

_Dollie._ Well, Goldilocks, you must not put chairs out of their places!

[Illustration]

_Goldilocks._ Oh, it won't hurt them. Now let us try this pretty little
chair. Come, Dollie, I'll sing you a song:

Rock-a-bye, Dollie, in the treetop,
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock;
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come Dollie, cradle and all!

[_Chair breaks._]

_Dollie._ Well, something broke then!

_Goldilocks._ Yes, the cradle and all came down that time. Dear, O dear!
I wish I hadn't rocked you so hard. I wish I hadn't run away!
[_Crying._]

_Dollie._ Don't cry, dear Goldilocks. Let us see what we can find in the
next room. Perhaps some one is in there who will take us to your dear
mother.

_Goldilocks._ O Dollie! I'm a naughty girl not to mind my mother. If I'd
only stayed at home in the garden!

_Dollie._ Oh, see the big bed!

_Goldilocks._ I'm so tired I believe I'll climb in and go to sleep. But
I don't like it. This big bed is too hard.

_Dollie._ And this middle-sized one is too soft.

_Goldilocks._ But this little one is _just right_.
Go--to--sleep--Dollie--

SCENE II.--_The Bear Family in the Wood_

_Father Bear._ Well, little son, aren't you about ready to go home?

_Sonny Bear._ Oh, no, father! Let me play just a little longer. Here are
such good places to hide in the shady wood.

_Mother Bear._ No, dear little sonny, we must go home now. It is getting
late. It's time for you to have your supper and go to bed.

_Sonny Bear._ All right, mother dear. I believe I am hungry, and your
porridge is always so good.

_Mother Bear._ Most children like porridge. Perhaps you can have a nice
red apple, too.

_Sonny Bear._ Oh, goody! Little sonny bears always like apples, don't
they, papa?

_Father Bear._ Yes, my dear. Mother, let me take your knitting basket.
What are you making now?

_Mother Bear._ A warm cap for sonny. Isn't it pretty?

_Father Bear._ Very pretty, and he should be very glad he has such a
good mother.

_Sonny Bear._ She _is_ a good mother, and you are a very good father,
too.

_Father Bear._ Well, here we are at home again. But th