Nursery Comedies

Mr. F. – You can't possibly mistake the road. Directly you get out of here, you will see a dark path to the right, that looks rather like the entrance to a cavern. However, you may be sure it leads to London, and you'll find the Queen sitting at the other end of it.

T. L. – Ah! that's capital! Oho! Aha! Hurrah!

Mr. F. – You all go on in front, and I'll bring up the rear, in case a lion comes up behind us.

C. L. – We'll go in single file this time.

(Exit, each making his own noise. Fox follows, slyly dancing.)

(After a minute all their voices heard together, then a pause. Fox re-enters covered with feathers. He crosses the stage silently, with a smile.)

Mr. F. – Henny Penny was the nicest! The others were rather tough!

Curtain

LITTLE PETSY

CHARACTERS

MRS. SIMONDS.

MRS. ROBERTS.

PETSY.

LITTLE PETSY

Mrs. Roberts discovered, in walking things

Mrs. R. – I wish Mrs. Simonds would appear! It is so rude to keep people waiting in this way when they come to see you. (Looks at books, etc.) Well, I wonder how much longer she's going to be. I would not have come if I had not wanted to explain to her about that bazaar we are getting up.

Enter Petsy with toys

Ah, how do you do, darling? How are you? Will you shake hands? (Petsy turns away.) You don't know my name, do you?

P. – I do, then.

Mrs. R. – You do? Who am I?

P. – You're Mrs. Roberts. I know it, because the maid came and told Mamma so, and then Mamma said, "Mrs. Roberts, bother!" and she told me to come and say she would be here in a minute.

Mrs. R. – (Aside.) Delightful child, this. (Aloud.) Then as you know my name, won't you shake hands?

P. – Shan't.

(Makes a face at Mrs. R., and turns her back to her.)

Enter Mrs. Simonds

Mrs. S. – Ah, my dear Mrs. Roberts, I am so glad to see you.

Mrs. R. – (Aside.) So I understand!

    (They shake hands.)

Mrs. S. – I am so sorry to have kept you waiting. I was just taking off my things.

    (Draws forward chair for Mrs. R., they sit.)

Mrs. R. – Oh, not at all. I've not been here very long.

Mrs. S. – I sent down my little Petsy to amuse you.

Mrs. R. – Oh, thank you, yes, she came.

Mrs. S. – It is impossible to feel dull where she is. Such an original child, so full of life!

Mrs. R. – Oh, indeed! I came to see you, Mrs. Simonds, about the charity bazaar at Wandsworth.

Mrs. S. – The bazaar, yes.

P. – (Loud.) Ma! Ma! How long is she going to stay?

Mrs. S. – (Smiling.) Oh, dear, dear, Petsy, Mrs. Roberts will be quite shocked at you! She will really, won't you, Mrs. Roberts?

Mrs. R. – (Tries to smile.) Oh, dear no! Sweet child!

(Petsy goes on making a noise with drum, while Mrs. Roberts tries to speak.)

Mrs. R. – (Obliged to shout.) It seems – there has been some difficulty – about the hall.

Mrs. S. – About the hall – yes. (Looking round at Petsy.) She is such a merry child, it makes one quite happy to see her!

Mrs. R. – (Aside.) I am glad it has that effect upon some one!

Mrs. S. – You were saying about the hall —

P. – Ma! Mamma!

Mrs. S. – Yes, darling, yes. About the hall —

P. – Ma! Ma! Ma!

Mrs. S. – I don't know why there should be any difficulty —

P. – Ma! Ma!

Mrs. S. – What is it, my dear one? What do you want?