own curtains at rear. Note: These rear curtains must be arranged
to be parted, showing the tableau stage back of the real stage. The
tableau stage is elevated a few feet above the real stage (this makes
a better picture but is not absolutely necessary). High desk at R.
facing the R. wall. Tall stool at this desk; ledger, quill pen, ink,
candle on this desk. Small, old desk down L., facing audience. Desk
chair back of this desk. Two common wooden chairs at R.C. and L.C.
Ledger, quill pen, books, candle stuck in an old dark bottle, on desk
down L._

_Full description of costumes, a detailed illustration of the stage
setting, etc., will be found at the end of the play._

_Before the curtain rises_ WAITS _are heard singing off L. Curtain
rises disclosing_ BOB CRATCHIT _seated on stool, bent over ledger at
desk R., working by the light of the candle._

WAITS (_outside, sing "Christmas Carol"_).

(CRATCHIT _turns and listens._)

_Enter_ SCROOGE _from R. in a towering passion. Slams door R._
CRATCHIT _hurriedly returns to his work._ SCROOGE _crosses to door L.
and flings it open angrily._

CHRISTMAS CAROL.

J.M. NEALE.
THOMAS HELMORE.

[Music illustration:

1. Christ was born on Christ-mas day,
Wreathe the hol-ly, twine the bay,
Light and life and joy is He,
The Babe, the Son, the Ho-ly One of Ma-ry.

2. He is born to set us free;
He is born our Lord to be;
Car-ol, Chris-tians, joy-ful-ly;
The God, the Lord, by all a-dored for-ev-er.

3. Let the bright red ber-ries glow
Ev-'ry-where in good-ly show,
Light and life and joy is He,
The Babe, the Son, the Ho-ly One of Ma-ry.

Christian men, re-joice and sing;
'Tis the birth-day of our King.

Car-ol, Christians, joy-ful-ly;
The God, the Lord,
By all a-dored
For-ev-er.
Night of sadness,
Morn of glad-ness
Ev-er-more:
Ev-er, Ev-er,
Aft-er man-y troub-les sore,
Morn of glad-ness ev-er-more, and ev-er-more.

Mid-night scarce-ly passed and o-ver,
Draw-ing to the ho-ly morn;
Ver-y ear-ly, Ver-y ear-ly, Christ was born.
Sing out with bliss,
His name is this:
Em-man-u-el!
As 'twas fore-told,
In days of old,
By Ga-bri-el.]

SCROOGE (_flinging open door L. at this point_). Get away from my
door. Begone, ye beggars! I've nothing for you.

FIRST WAIT (_sticking his head in door at