ey all flew like the down of a thistle;
But I heard him exclaim e'er he drove out of sight:
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

--_Clement C. Moore._

CHILDREN. Oh, that was just lovely.

TOOTSY. I just wish I could see him. Just once!

DUMPLING. And so do I. I'm going to catch him some Christmas Eve.

SNOOKUMS. Me, too!

_Enter from L._, MOTHER _and_ GRANDMA, _wearing winter coats and hats.
They carry coats and hats for_ FATHER _and_ GRANDPA.

MOTHER. Here, Grandpa, put on your coat and hat, or we'll be late for
the dinner. (_Helps him._)

GRANDPA. I'd rather stay here and talk to the children.

FATHER (_putting on his coat_). But Aunt Clara is expecting us.

GRANDMA. And the auto is at the door.

GRANDPA. Dumpling, are you sure you got everything you wanted for
Christmas?

DUMPLING. I can't think of anything else.

GRANDPA. If you didn't, and if all three of you children can agree on
anything else, it shall be yours if money can buy it.

TOOTSY. Money can buy everything, can't it, Grandpa?

GRANDPA. No, my dear, not quite everything.

DUMPLING. But suppose we wish for something that money can't buy?

GRANDPA. I'd try to get it for you some other way.

TOOTSY. How, Grandpa; how?

GRANDPA. Why, I'd tell the Wishing Man. He'd get it for you.

GRANDMA. Come along, John; don't put such nonsense in the children's
heads.

FATHER. We must hurry along to Aunt Clara's, children. But this is
Christmas night. You may all stay up tonight just as long as you wish.

DUMPLING. Oh, can we? Can we?

MOTHER. Yes. Cecelia will look after you. Cecelia?

NURSE MAID. Of course I will, mum.

MOTHER. Come along, now. We must hurry. (_Kisses the children and goes
out R. with_ GRANDMA, GRANDPA _and_ FATHER.)

TOOTSY (_dancing around_). Oh, we can stay up just as long as we wish!
Goody, goody! Why that is the very best gift of all.

NURSE MAID. Now you children be good, and if you want me, call out.
I'll be down in the kitchen with the cook. (_Goes out at L._)

DUMPLING. Now we're left all alone.

TOOTSY. I don't see why Aunt Clara couldn't have invited us to her
dinner party, too.

SNOOKUMS (_playing with doll_). Snookums likes dinner party.

DUMPLING. It's 'cause we ain't big enough.

TOOTSY. My, I wisht I was a great, great, great big girl.

DUMPLING. There, that's a wish that money can't buy.

TOOTSY. Grandpa said he'd get us anything we wished for.

DUMPLING. What d