up
her stocking, and--and--and--now, I declare, I've left somebody out.
Who can it be, I wonder? Why, to be sure--Grandfather. Yes,
Grandfather hung up his stocking; and there they were, all six
stockings hanging in a row. You look for them there, when the curtain
opens. I think you'll see them. Well, then of course the children went
to bed, and by this time I think they are both asleep. And now the
rest of the family are beginning to feel sleepy, and in just a moment,
I think one of them is going to say, "It's time we all went to bed."
What happens after that you can see for yourselves, for now it's going
to begin.

The Second Scene

When the Curtain opens, you see the Kitchen again just as before,
except that now the six stockings are hanging from the mantel shelf
over the fire-place. Father is sitting beside the table reading the
newspaper. The two Grandparents are still sitting close to the fire,
one on each side. Grandfather has fallen asleep, and Grandmother is
drowsy, so that her head nods. Then she wakes up, and tries to stay
awake; but in a minute her head goes nodding again. Father yawns, puts
down his newspaper; yawns once more and stretches; then goes on
reading.

MOTHER comes in and says, The children are sound asleep.

It's time we all went to bed, says FATHER, putting down the
newspaper. I know I'm ready for it. He yawns.

Besides, adds MOTHER, the fire is almost out; and indeed it ought
soon to be put out entirely, so as to cool the chimney for old Santa
Claus, when he comes.

That's right, too, FATHER agrees. He gets up and goes to Grandfather,
laying his hand on his shoulder. Father, he says, speaking loud so
as to waken him. It's time to go to bed.

What? says GRANDFATHER, waking up with a start; and then he says,
Why, I must have been dozing. Where are the children?

They went to bed long ago, says MOTHER. Don't you remember? And now
it's bed time for all of us. Are you ready, mother?

Yes, I'm more than ready, answers GRANDMOTHER. She rises and
Grandfather, also, and with feeble steps, they go toward the door.
Good-night, GRANDMOTHER says.

Good-night, FATHER and MOTHER answer her, and FATHER continues,
Good-night, father. Pleasant dreams.

Good-night, answers GRANDFATHER, and he and Grandmother go out.

I'll be off too, James, says MOTHER, if you'll look after the fire
and the light.

Yes, I'll attend to all that, answers FATHER.

Then Mother goes out, and Father deadens