Part 2
GOODMAN. She's finer than our pastor's brood-hen! Upon my word she is! I should like to have that fowl!
TOLL-KEEPER. She is for sale.
GOODMAN. I think it would be a good exchange if I could get her for my goose.
TOLL-KEEPER. Well, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
GOODMAN. Then here is your goose.
TOLL-KEEPER. Here is your fowl.
[_Enter a_ HOSTLER _carrying a sack._]
GOODMAN (_to Hostler_). What have you in that sack, friend?
HOSTLER. Rotten apples--to feed the pigs with.
GOODMAN. Why, that will be a terrible waste. I should like to take them home to my wife.
HOSTLER (_astonished_). To your wife?
GOODMAN (_nodding_). You see, last year our old apple tree bore only one apple, which we kept in the cupboard till it was quite rotten. It was always property, my wife said.
HOSTLER. What will you give me for the sackful? Your wife would then have a great deal of property.
GOODMAN. Well, I will give you my fowl in exchange.
HOSTLER. Here is your sack of rotten apples.
GOODMAN. Here is your fowl.
[_The Hostler goes with the fowl._]
TOLL-KEEPER. Toll, Goodman!
GOODMAN. I will not go to the Fair to-day. I have done a great deal of business, and I am tired. I will go back home.
## SCENE III
TIME: _two hours later_. PLACE: _the old farmhouse_.
* * * * *
THE GOODMAN. HIS WIFE.
* * * * *
[_Enter the_ GOODMAN, _carrying the sack. The_ WIFE _waits for him in the spare room, because he has been away._]
GOODMAN. Well, Wife, I've made the exchange.
WIFE. Ah, well, you always understand what you're about.
GOODMAN. I got a cow in exchange for the horse.
WIFE. Good! Now we shall have plenty of milk and butter and cheese on the table. That was a fine exchange!
GOODMAN. Yes, but I changed the cow for a sheep.
WIFE. Ah, better still! We have just enough grass for a sheep.--Ewe's milk and cheese! Woolen jackets and stockings! The cow could not give all those. How you think of everything!
GOODMAN. But I changed the sheep for a goose.
WIFE. Then we shall have roast goose to eat this year. You dear Goodman, you are always thinking of something to please me!
GOODMAN. But I gave away the goose for a fowl.
WIFE. A fowl? Well, that was a good exchange. The fowl will lay eggs and hatch them. We shall soon have a poultry-yard. Ah, this is just what I was wishing for!
GOODMAN. Yes, but I exchanged the fowl for a sack of rotten apples.
WIFE. My dear, good husband! Now, I'll tell you something. Do you know, almost as soon as you left me this morning, I began thinking of what I could give you nice for supper. I thought of bacon with eggs and sweet herbs.
GOODMAN. But we have no sweet herbs.
WIFE (_nodding_). For that reason, I went over to our neighbor's and begged her to lend me a handful.
GOODMAN. That was right; they have plenty.
WIFE (_nodding_). So I thought, but she said, "Lend? I have nothing to lend, not even a rotten apple." Now I can lend _her_ ten or the whole sackful. It makes me laugh to think of it. I am so glad.
GOODMAN. So you think what I did was right?
WIFE. What the Goodman does is always right.
THE CAT AND THE MOUSE
TIME: _perhaps this minute_. PLACE: _perhaps your own garret_.
* * * * *
MOTHER MOUSE. HER DAUGHTER, MISS MOUSE. THE CAT.
* * * * *
[MOTHER MOUSE _and_ MISS MOUSE _are in their spare room because Mother Mouse is getting ready for a journey. Miss Mouse helps her. The_ CAT _is outside, peeping now and then through the window, but so slyly that the mice do not see her._]
MOTHER MOUSE (_going_). Now mind you keep one eye on our grease-pot, child.
MISS MOUSE. That I will, dear mother!
MOTHER MOUSE. Let no one in,--no one! no one!
MISS MOUSE. No one, dear mother!
MOTHER MOUSE. I'll not be long away. Good-by, my child.
(_Starting out; stopping._)
Mind you show no one the grease-pot, child,--no one! no one!
Miss MOUSE. No one, dear mother!
[_Mother Mouse goes out of the front door._]
CAT (_calling through window_). Oh, Miss Mouse! Oh, Miss Mouse!
MISS MOUSE (_showing alarm_). Who calls?
CAT (_very sweetly_). Only I! Will you please let me in?
MISS MOUSE (_shaking head_). Mother said--
CAT (_interrupting quickly_). 'T is a matter of business!
MISS MOUSE (_shaking head_). But mother said--
CAT (_interrupting_). 'T is most important!
MISS MOUSE (_as before_). But mother said--
CAT (_interrupting_). I wish your advice--you are so clever!
MISS MOUSE (_showing she is pleased; starting to window_). Oh, do you truly think so?
CAT (_nodding_). Every one thinks so!
MISS MOUSE (_showing she is more pleased; going to the window_). Oh, do they, truly?
CAT. Oh, truly they do!
MISS MOUSE (_showing she is most pleased; opening window_). What else nice say they?
CAT (_jumping in_). That I'll tell you by and by.
(_Sniffing about._)
There must be a grease-pot about! Am I not right?
MISS MOUSE. Mother said--
[Illustration: THE CAT AND THE MOUSE]
CAT (_interrupting_). Only tell me if I be right! 'T will do no harm!
MISS MOUSE (_hesitating_). Well--then--yes. But 't is put away for our winter stores.
CAT (_nodding_). Just so! Now, I can't decide where to keep my grease-pot when I have bought one. Won't you give me your advice? You are so wise.
MISS MOUSE. Do you truly think I'm wise?
CAT (_nodding_). Aye, and if you will tell me where to keep my grease-pot when I have bought it, I'll tell you something more.
MISS MOUSE (_greatly pleased_). About me?
CAT (_nodding_). Yes,--what every one says about your being so beautiful. But first I must know where to keep my grease-pot.
MISS MOUSE. Then listen--you must keep it, when you have bought it, in the northwest corner.
[_The Cat runs quickly to the northwest corner._]
MISS MOUSE (_in alarm_). Come away! Come away!
CAT. Why, here is your grease-pot!
MISS MOUSE (_as before_). Come away, I say!
CAT (_looking into the pot_). Truly, the fat is kept hard and cool here.
MISS MOUSE. I pray you come away! Mother does not so much as let me look into it. 'T is not yet time, she says.
CAT (_looking again into pot_). Exactly!
(_She leaves the pot and joins Miss Mouse._)
'T is just what I'll tell my kittens about my grease-pot when I have bought it.
MISS MOUSE. Ah, then you have kittens at home?
CAT (_nodding_). Such beautiful kittens! The eldest is white, with brown marks.
MISS MOUSE. He must be charming!
CAT. I've a mind to tell you his name. First, though, run out to see if your dear mother is not coming.
[_Miss Mouse nods and runs out. The Cat quickly creeps to the grease-pot and licks the top off. She crosses to the window just as_ MISS MOUSE _returns._]
MISS MOUSE. Mother is nowhere to be seen. Now what did you name your eldest child?
CAT. Top-off.
MISS MOUSE. Top-off? Why, that is a curious name! Is it common in your family?
CAT. Oh, no! My second child has a white ring around his neck.
MISS MOUSE. Remarkable!
CAT. Very!
MISS MOUSE. What did you name him?
CAT. I gave him an unusual name. I will tell you what it is. First, though, run out to see if your dear mother is coming.
[_Miss Mouse nods and runs out. The Cat creeps to the grease-pot and eats half the fat; then crosses to window._ MISS MOUSE _returns._]
MISS MOUSE. Mother is nowhere to be seen. Now what did you name your second child?
CAT. Half-out.
Miss MOUSE. Half-out? I never heard such a name! 'T is not in the calendar, I'm sure.
CAT. What does that matter, if it pleases me? Now the last child is really a wonder. He is quite black and has little white claws, but not a single white hair on his body.
MISS MOUSE. What have you named him?
CAT. I'm afraid that will please you no better than the others, but still I will tell you. First, though, run to see if your dear mother is not coming.
[_Miss Mouse nods and runs out. The Cat creeps to the pot and eats all the fat. She then crosses to the window._]
CAT. What one begins one must needs finish.
[MISS MOUSE _returns._]
MISS MOUSE. Mother is nowhere to be seen. Now tell me what you named your youngest child.
CAT. All-out.
MISS MOUSE. All-out? Why, that is more curious than the others. I have never seen it in print.
CAT (_glaring at Miss Mouse_). You never will!
MISS MOUSE (_frightened_). What do you mean?
CAT (_preparing to spring_). I mean to put you down with the fat!
MISS MOUSE. Help! help!
[_Enter_ MOTHER MOUSE _just as the Cat clutches her daughter and jumps out of the window with her. Mother Mouse crosses and looks into the empty grease-pot._]
MOTHER MOUSE (_sighing sadly_). 'T was ever thus! Show your grease-pot, and you'll go with it!
THE GIRL WHO TROD ON THE LOAF
## SCENE I
TIME: _the day before Christmas_.
PLACE: _Ingé's Mother's home_.
* * * * *
INGÉ. HER MOTHER.
* * * * *
[_The_ MOTHER _stands at the kitchen window, watching for Ingé._]
MOTHER. Ah, here she comes at last!
(_Short pause. Enter_ INGÉ.)
I have waited long for you, my child. Where have you been?
(_Ingé is silent._)
Have you been to the Elf Hill? Tell me.
INGÉ (_hesitating_). Just for a little while, mother.
MOTHER. Ingé! Ingé! What have I ever told you?
INGÉ. I thought I'd go just this once.
MOTHER (_showing sorrow_). Ah, Ingé, that's what you always say.
INGÉ. There's no harm talking with the elves.
MOTHER. And I, your mother, say there is harm.
INGÉ. But, mother,--they talk so prettily.
MOTHER (_nodding_). Aye! and that's the harm. They've put such silly ideas into your head.
INGÉ. They say 't is friendship makes them talk as they do.
MOTHER (_indignantly_). Friendship! 'T is friendship, is it, to tell you not to fetch the wood?
INGÉ. They say 't will spoil my hands.
MOTHER. Out upon them and their pretty talk! You shall go there no more. Do you hear me, Ingé?
INGÉ (_pouting_). I hear.
MOTHER. Now take this loaf of bread to your sick aunt. Say to her 't is her Christmas gift.
INGÉ. But, mother, I must cross the muddy road to go there.
MOTHER. Well, you are neither sugar nor salt.
INGÉ. I'll spoil my shoes!
MOTHER. You think of your shoes, and your aunt lies ill?
INGÉ. Wait till spring and the mud will be gone.
MOTHER. Wait till spring and your aunt will be gone! Here is the loaf--now off with you!
[_Ingé takes the loaf and goes, but not willingly._]
## SCENE II
TIME: _a few minutes later_. PLACE: _the muddy road_.
* * * * *
INGÉ. THE WICKED ELF.
* * * * *
[INGÉ _is seen stopping at the muddy road._]
INGÉ. 'T is too wide to leap!
[_The_ WICKED ELF _suddenly appears on the opposite side of the road._]
WICKED ELF. Good day to you, pretty maid!
INGÉ. Good day to you, dear Elf!
WICKED ELF. Wilt cross this muddy road?
INGÉ. I must.
WICKED ELF. Then I'll tell you how to do it and not so much as wet your shoe.
INGÉ. Oh, thank you, dear Elf!
WICKED ELF. Throw down your loaf and--
INGÉ. (_showing surprise; interrupting_). Throw down the loaf?
WICKED ELF. Why, yes,--to use it for a stepping-stone.
INGÉ. But 't will spoil the bread!
WICKED ELF. But 't will save your shoes!
INGÉ. Well, that's true--
WICKED ELF. A pretty maid ne'er wears a muddy shoe.
INGÉ. That's true, too--
WICKED ELF. Come, then, throw down the loaf!
INGÉ. Well, I'll do it!
(_She throws the loaf and steps upon it._)
'T is sinking! What shall I do?
WICKED ELF. Why, then, jump off!
INGÉ (_trying to jump_). I can't! Don't you see I can't?
WICKED ELF. Ha, ha! You're fastened to it!
INGÉ. 'T is drawing me down! Help me! Help me!
WICKED ELF. There's no help for you.
INGÉ. No help? What do you mean?
WICKED ELF. You must go down with the loaf.
INGÉ. I pray you help me! See how I'm sinking! The mud will soon be over my shoes!
WICKED ELF. The mud will soon be over your head!
INGÉ (_weeping_). Save me! Save me!
WICKED ELF. Will you be saved by magic?
INGÉ. Yes, yes!
WICKED ELF. Listen, then--I'll change you into a bird. Are you willing?
INGÉ. Yes, yes! Quick now, before I sink deeper!
WICKED ELF (_nodding head three times_). A sparrow shall you be! Change, now change!
[_Ingé changes into a_ SPARROW, _with a tuft of white feathers, just the shape of a loaf of bread, upon its head. The Sparrow flies from the mud._]
SPARROW. Now change me back into Ingé.
WICKED ELF. You shall remain as you are.
SPARROW (_showing surprise_). Remain as I am?
WICKED ELF (_nodding_). Until you can change yourself back.
SPARROW. And when will that be?
WICKED ELF. When the loaf has gone from your head.
SPARROW. The loaf from my head? What do you mean?
WICKED ELF (_going_). Fly away to the brook and see! Ha, ha, ha!
(_She runs away, calling back._)
Fly away to the brook and see! Ha, ha, ha!
[Illustration: "'T IS SINKING! WHAT SHALL I DO?"]
## SCENE III
TIME: _the day following Christmas Day_. PLACE: _an old stone wall by a brook_.
* * * * *
THE SPARROW. THE PEASANT. GRETEL. FIRST STONE. SECOND STONE. THIRD STONE.
* * * * *
[_The_ SPARROW _sits in a hole in the wall._]
FIRST STONE. Come, come, be not so sad, little Sparrow!
SECOND STONE. Come, lift up your head and sing!
THIRD STONE. Come, sing us your Christmas song!
SPARROW. Sing! I have nothing to sing about.
FIRST STONE. Sing of your friends.
SECOND STONE. Sing of their love for you.
THIRD STONE. Sing of their kindness to you.
SPARROW. Talk not to me of friends, or love, or kindness! There's none in the world.
[_Enter a_ PEASANT _with his little_ GRETEL. _The Peasant carries two ears of corn._]
PEASANT. Now, my Gretel, we'll place the corn here on the old wall.
GRETEL. Mother thought you brought too much.
PEASANT. Well, 't is true there are only three ears left at home, but the birds must have their Christmas dinner.
[_He places the corn on the wall._]
GRETEL. There's none about to see it!
PEASANT. Oh, some bird will soon find it!
GRETEL. But will it call the others?
PEASANT. We'll wait to see. Come, we'll sit there on the log.
[_They go to a log near by._]
FIRST STONE. There, little Sparrow, say you now there is no kindness?
SECOND STONE. Or love?
THIRD STONE. Or friendship?
SPARROW. No, no! I can never say that again. The peasant's heart is full of kindness and love and friendship. I will sing of it! 'T will be my Christmas song!
[_The Sparrow leaves the hole and flies to the corn._]
GRETEL. Look, father, there is a sparrow! And hear it sing! Just hear it!
PEASANT. It is calling the other birds.
GRETEL. Why, it doesn't even touch the corn!
PEASANT. It's waiting to share it with the others. Is it not a pretty sight? Come, we must go to tell mother.
## SCENE IV
TIME: _one month later_. PLACE: _same as_ SCENE III.
* * * * *
OUR SPARROW. THE VERY OLD SPARROW. THE OLD SPARROW. THE YOUNG SPARROW. THE VERY YOUNG SPARROW. THE WICKED ELF.
* * * * *
[_All the_ SPARROWS _except Our Sparrow sit on the stone wall._]
YOUNG SPARROW. I say the stranger should be driven away!
VERY YOUNG SPARROW. So say I!
OLD SPARROW. The stranger is a sparrow, but still not a sparrow.
VERY OLD SPARROW. And yet she is only different by a tuft of white feathers.
YOUNG SPARROW. And such a tuft! For all the world like a loaf of bread!
VERY YOUNG SPARROW. I'd think it shame to carry such on _my_ head!
OLD SPARROW. I fear 't will shame us all to have this stranger about.
VERY OLD SPARROW. And yet we are not ashamed to eat the crumbs this stranger brings.
OLD SPARROW. Well, 't is true she has been most kind.
VERY OLD SPARROW. 'T is a hard winter! Shall we drive away the one who finds food where we find none?
YOUNG SPARROW. And calls us every time!
VERY YOUNG SPARROW. And never eats till we have come!
VERY OLD SPARROW. I've kept in mind the crumbs she has found us. Now, how many do you think?
OLD SPARROW. I cannot say, for I did not think to notice.
VERY OLD SPARROW. There only lacks two or three now of being a loaf.
OTHER SPARROWS (_greatly surprised_). A loaf?
VERY OLD SPARROW (_nodding_). A loaf.
VERY YOUNG SPARROW. Here comes the stranger now!
OLD SPARROW. She brings a crust!
[OUR SPARROW _flies up with a crust in its bill._]
OUR SPARROW. Come, friends, 't is for all of you!
VERY OLD SPARROW. Do you know, stranger bird, that, with these crumbs, you have brought us in all one loaf?
[_Our Sparrow drops the crust for the others. At once it changes into_ INGÉ. _The birds fly away frightened._]
INGÉ. Ah! Now I understand. The loaf had to be made up, crumb by crumb.
[_The_ WICKED ELF _suddenly appears._]
WICKED ELF. Come, pretty maid, come to the Elf Hill!
INGÉ. No, no! I will not!
WICKED ELF. But we have such pretty things to tell you!
INGÉ. I care not for your pretty things! I go to fetch wood for my mother. I go to walk in the mud if need be. Away with you! I'll have none of you! Away, away, I say!
THE UGLY DUCKLING
## SCENE I
TIME: _one summer morning_. PLACE: _the farmyard of the Moor Farm_.
* * * * *
MADAM DUCK. FIRST DUCKLING. SECOND DUCKLING. THE UGLY DUCKLING. THIRD DUCKLING. TURKEY. GRAY GANDER. WHITE GOOSE. PLYMOUTH ROCK HEN. RED ROOSTER.
* * * * *
[MADAM DUCK _enters the farmyard with her new brood of_ DUCKLINGS. _The other fowls approach._]
TURKEY (_showing displeasure_). A new brood of ducks! Look you all--a new brood of ducks!
GRAY GANDER (_also displeased_). As if there were not enough of us here already!
WHITE GOOSE (_likewise displeased_). True enough,--I can scarce find a corner for my afternoon nap!
RED ROOSTER. It seems to me, Madam Duck, that you should not have brought us a new brood this summer.
MADAM DUCK. What is that you are saying?
TURKEY. It seems to all of us, madam, that there is no room here for a new brood.
PLYMOUTH ROCK HEN. Friends, be just. Madam Duck has a perfect right to bring her ducklings here. Besides, the children are quite pretty.
MADAM DUCK. They are beautiful! You shall all see that for yourselves. Come, children, into a row with you!
[_The Ducklings form themselves into a row. The Ugly Duckling is last._]
MADAM DUCK. Legs wide apart! Toes out! Now speak prettily to my old friends.
DUCKLINGS (_all but the last_). Quack! Quack!
MADAM DUCK. There now--are they not charming?
GRAY GANDER (_looking down row_). Why, yes, they all seem graceful enough--here--wait a moment! Does that last one there belong to you?
[_All the fowls look at the last Duckling._]
MADAM DUCK. Oh yes! He is larger than the others and perhaps not so pretty, but--
TURKEY (_interrupting_). Make no excuses for him, madam. We can see for ourselves what he is.
GRAY GANDER. In all my life I never saw anything so ugly!
WHITE GOOSE. He is neither duck nor goose!
PLYMOUTH ROCK HEN. Nor duck nor chick!
TURKEY. I'd be 'shamed to have a turkey look like that!
RED ROOSTER. I'd allow no hen of mine to claim him!
MADAM DUCK. Come now, come now, friends. The poor child is not pretty, but he is good, and he can swim even better than the others.
TURKEY. That he can swim well is nothing to me!
RED ROOSTER. Nor to me! He should be driven out, I say!
MADAM DUCK. Let him alone; he is not doing any harm.
FIRST DUCKLING. But, mother, no one will look at us if he stays with us!
MADAM Duck (_thoughtfully._) Now perhaps it may turn out that way.
SECOND DUCKLING. I'll not walk about with him!
THIRD DUCKLING. Nor I!
MADAM DUCK. Well, well! He must be uglier than I thought!
FIRST DUCKLING. Besides, dear mother, he will not quack.
MADAM DUCK. What is this? Did he not quack but just a moment ago?
SECOND DUCKLING. He turned his toes out, but quack he would not.
THIRD DUCKLING. 'T is true, dear mother.
MADAM DUCK (_to the Ugly Duckling_). Quack! Quack now--at once!
[_The Ugly Duckling tries to quack, but chokes. The fowls laugh and jeer at him._]
GRAY GANDER. Ha, ha! There's a "quack" for you!
WHITE GOOSE. Ha, ha!
PLYMOUTH ROCK HEN. Ha, ha!
RED ROOSTER. Ha, ha!
TURKEY. Ha, ha!
MADAM DUCK (_angrily_). Once more I tell you--quack!
[_The Ugly Duckling tries again; chokes._]
ALL FOWLS. Ha, ha, ha, ha!
UGLY DUCKLING (_weeping_). I'm sorry--I'd quack if I could.
MADAME DUCK. Ah, if you were only far away!
[Illustration: THE UGLY DUCKLING]
FIRST DUCKLING. I wish the cat would eat you!
SECOND DUCKLING. I wish the swans would kill you!
WHITE GOOSE. And they will when they see him--you may be sure of that.
GRAY GANDER (_nodding_). Aye, they'll not suffer such an ugly creature to swim in the brook!
RED ROOSTER. We must drive him off--that's clear!
(_Running at the Ugly Duckling._)
Come now, out with you!
PLYMOUTH ROCK HEN (_pecking Duckling_). Out with you!
UGLY DUCKLING. Mother, save me!
MADAM DUCK. Call not on me!
GRAY GANDER (_striking Duckling with his wings_). Out with you!
UGLY DUCKLING (_running to Ducklings_). Brothers, sisters, save me!
FIRST DUCKLING. Come not to us!
SECOND DUCKLING. We'll not save you!
THIRD DUCKLING. Away with you!
TURKEY. At him, hens to peck him! At him, geese to beat him! At him, all of you!
[_They all rush upon the Ugly Duckling, who escapes them, running out of the farmyard into the moor._]
## SCENE II
TIME: _the next winter_. PLACE: _the Peasant's cottage_.
* * * * *
THE PEASANT. HIS WIFE. ELIZABETH. THE CAT. THE HEN. THE UGLY DUCKLING.
* * * * *
[_The_ PEASANT _enters the cottage, carrying the_ UGLY DUCKLING.]
PEASANT. See what I'm bringing you!
WIFE. Why, 't is a duckling--half frozen, too!
PEASANT. I found him frozen in the pond. I had to break the ice to get him out.
ELIZABETH. Give him to me, father. I will put him behind the stove.
PEASANT (_giving Duckling to Elizabeth_). That's a good child.
WIFE. Handle him tenderly, daughter.
ELIZABETH (_taking off her shawl_). He shall lie upon my shawl. You poor, dear, ugly little duckling!
[_She places the Duckling upon the shawl behind the stove, near the_ CAT _and_ HEN.]
PEASANT. 'T is the duckling I told you of!
WIFE. The one you saw on the pond yesterday?
PEASANT. Aye, and the day before, and all winter long, for that matter. Yesterday I saw him try to join the wild ducks on the river, but they drove him back to the pond.
ELIZABETH. Poor duckling! The pond was freezing then!