ry.

FEZZIWIG (_flinging them a handful of coins_). That's right, my lads.
Sing away. Merry Christmas to you.

WAITS (_outside_). Thank ye, sir. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank ye, sir. (_They sing and the song dies away in the distance._)

SCROOGE (_down R. with_ FIRST SPIRIT). Why, it's old Fezziwig. Bless
his dear, old heart. It's Fezziwig alive again.

FEZZIWIG (_comes merrily down C._). Yo ho, my boys! No more work for
tonight. Christmas Eve, Dick! (_Throws his arms over the shoulders of
the two boys._) Christmas Eve, Ebenezer! God bless Christmas.

DICK. Ay, ay, sir.

EBENEZER. Ay, ay; God bless Christmas.

FIRST SPIRIT. Did you hear that, Scrooge? That is yourself--and you
said God bless Christmas.

SCROOGE. That's true. That was thirty years ago.

FEZZIWIG (_bustling about_). The missis and the girls are down stairs,
so let's clear away before you can say Jack Robinson. (_They push desk
back, and decorate rear stage with strings of Christmas greens_,
FEZZIWIG _talking all the time._) Yo ho! That's right, Dick. String
the Christmas greens. Here you are, Ebenezer. We're going to have the
merriest time in all the kingdom. (_Dancing a step or two._) I'll
show ye how to enjoy life. That's it. Now we're all ready. (_Sings._)
"Wreathe the holly, twine the bay!" Let's have lots of room. Clear
away, Dick. Here comes the fiddler now.

_Enter_ OLD FIDDLER. _He sits on barrel at rear and starts to "tune
up."_

OLD FIDDLER. Merry Christmas, sir.

FEZZIWIG. The same to you, granfer, and many of 'em.

_Enter_ MRS. FEZZIWIG _from L._

MRS. FEZZIWIG. Lawsy, lawsy, I thought we'd be late. (_Goes to the two
boys and puts her arms over their shoulders._) And how's my merry boys
tonight?

DICK. Finer'n a fiddle.

EBENEZER. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Fezziwig.

MRS. FEZZIWIG. The same to you, dear lads.

FEZZIWIG. Where's the girls, mother?

MRS. FEZZIWIG. Here they come, Flora, Felicity and little Fanny May.

_Enter the_ THREE FEZZIWIG _girls with their escorts. Everybody
bustles around shaking hands, wishing each other "Merry Christmas."_

FEZZIWIG. And here's the housemaid and her cousin the baker. (_They
enter and are greeted by all._) The cook and the milkman, and the
lonesome little boy from over the way! And Ebenezer's young lady, Miss
Bella. (_They enter and are merrily greeted._) And now, mother, what
do you say to a rollicking game of Puss in the Corner.

(_They play Puss in the Corner with