Edna I. MacKenzie

“ Helen— (interrupting) Oh, Edith, do tell us about some of the jolly times you had at Erskine College. I’m just aching to hear about them. (Draws chair closer to Edith) .
Margaret—Yes, please do! (Draws her chair closer) .
Edith—Why, I could tell you lots, but really I wouldn’t know where to begin and once I began, I wouldn’t know where to stop. For one thing we used to have midnight suppers whenever one of the girls would get a box from home. We’d all meet in one room and have nothing but candles for a light and when we heard anyone coming, we would have to blow them out, quick as wink. ”

“ Helen—Why, what is the matter with you? What are you mad about? (Aside, It seems to me she is always in hot water or a stew about something.)
Margaret—Well, sit down and I’ll tell you about it. (They sit down on a couch.) It seems that dad has some country relations somewhere in the backwoods. He’s had them ever since he was born but he’s just remembering them now. Well, it seems that there’s a girl about my age and dad was looking over some old photos last night and came across one of her when she was six years old. ”

“ The girls were just saying they didn’t know you. (Margaret and Helen both stand in amazement.) That’s funny.
Elizabeth—Oh, helloa Edith! I didn’t know you knew my cousin. I’m just staying here until to-morrow and then I’m going to your place for awhile.
Edith— (aside in horror) , So this Margaret Neilson is the snob Beth is to take down a peg. Good gracious, but I’ve put my foot into it. (Edith and Beth go to one side and eagerly converse in low tones) .
Margaret— (to Helen) , Lizzie, Beth Norton! Why whatever does it mean anyway? (thinks) , How can she be one and the same person? ”

“ A recitation may be a recounting of incidents, but a monologue has action; it becomes alive, and you are carried along with intense interest. A great variety of subjects. Also twenty-eight selections as follows: For Washington’s Birthday (4) . For Labor Day (4) . For Memorial Day, Flag Day, and other Patriotic Occasions (3) . For Thanksgiving Day (8) . For Christmas (9) . Price, thirty cents.
RECITATIONS FOR PRIMARY GRADES, ORIGINAL AND UNIQUE. By Elizabeth F. Guptill. A collection of an unusual sort. Every one is as interesting as a story, and every one has a very decided point. ”

“ Margaret—And pray, who is Beth Norton?
Helen—Don’t you know? Why, she is the girl that all the girls at Erskine College were just crazy about. Why, they say there’s never been a girl there before who was as popular. And act! Why, she took the chief parts in all their [6] plays and the girls said she had any professional actress beaten all to pieces. Oh yes, we must manage to get in with them if we can. Now about your cousin, say, why can’t you have her up for just a couple of days and keep her out of the way?
Margaret—Dad is bound that I’ll invite her up for two weeks anyway. ”

“ Edith—Oh call me Edith, it’s more sociable and I’ll call you Margaret. Why yes, (shaking hands with Helen) , I have met you several times, haven’t I? Coming to a new [19] city it takes a person quite awhile to get acquainted, but I’m managing not too badly.
Helen—Why, I should say not. You have made hosts of friends already from all accounts.
Edith—Yes, everybody has been awfully kind to me and then I’d met several people when I was at Erskine. (All girls take seats, Edith sitting where she can see the exit by turning slightly.) I hope you girls weren’t expecting me any sooner. ”

“ The author has brought out with skill the humorous incidents that help make up the life of the country girl and woman, while the fashionable woman of the city, who is interested in parties, teas and golf, is just as truthfully depicted. ”

“ The girls carry garlands of evergreen while the boys carry wreaths of the same. After a spectacular drill and fancy march they all sing a beautiful Christmas song, which accompanies the drill. Following the song they wind a spiral to the center of the stage, unwind same and march off. Complete instructions are given. It is the best Christmas drill ever published; easy to produce and decidedly novel. Price, 15 cents.
PEARL’S CHRISTMAS. Original, pleasing and interesting Christmas dialogue with an excellent moral, for 3 boys and 4 girls. ”

“ Helen— (aside dramatically) , Behold the expanding of Miss Margaret Neilson’s character. She is actually wakening up to what I am trying to do for her and has even expressed one grain of gratitude. Well I guess I’ll hang on to the grain, perhaps it will sprout. (Sees Lizzie’s hat and fancy work.) Goodness I’d better get these out of sight or they’d be a sure giveaway. (Runs and thrusts fancy work under a cushion and throws hat behind couch. Margaret appears arm in arm with Edith who is well but quietly dressed. Helen goes to meet them.) ”

“ As for Maggie, our black and white spotted cow is called that and she gives more milk than any of them. (Margaret looks more and more disgusted and Helen amused.) Say, aint you going to interduce me to your friend? At hum we always interduce everybody to everybody else.
Margaret—I beg your pardon. This is my friend, Miss Helen Montgomery. (Helen raises her hand very high and Elizabeth pulls it down and shakes it heartily.) [13]
Elizabeth—Please ter meet you, Helly. I suspect I’ll get real acquainted with yer before my visit’s over. Yer don’t look quite as stuck-uppish as my cousin there. ”

“ Helen— (going over and putting her arm around her.) Oh, cheer up! Things might be worse. You can manage to avoid the girls for awhile and you can give Lizzie books to read or something to keep her in the background and out of mischief.
Margaret— (drying her eyes.) It’s a good thing she isn’t coming today for you know I’ve invited Edith Browning for tea and I want to be on my best behavior and be as nice as I can so as to make a good impression. If Lizzie were here, I would be mortified to death. (bell rings behind stage.) Oh, there’s the bell. It’s too early for Edith. ”

“ THE LITTLE BIRD’S SECRET. Here is just the song for those two little folks to sing together. They won’t have to be coaxed to sing it, especially when they find that the whole school is to whistle the chorus. This is a decided novelty, and will prove a rare treat to your audience.
A GARDEN ROMANCE. This is a dainty little song telling of the romance and wedding of Marigold and Sweet William. It is just the song for dainty little girls to sing. ”

“ Elizabeth—Sure and he must have got a good squint at what was in it, too, for he looked so funny. Well he told me to get into one of them street car things, and the feller who was all dressed up in brass buttons and took the tickets told me when to get into another so it was real easy. But I think the people here are dreadfully imperlite. They kept [15] giggling and giggling. I asked one what the joke was and she grew awfully red and didn’t answer. I think it’s mighty rude not to tell other folks the joke, why down to hum— (looks up just as the girls are turning up their noses) . ”

“ LITTLE PIECES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE. Each set has twenty cards containing twenty-nine bright, pretty recitations for boys and girls, from five to ten years of age. Teachers like the pieces because of their convenient form. Being printed on cards, all wearisome copying is avoided. ”

“ In the midst of the fun, Elsie’s lost father walks in, and the finale is a general rejoicing. Price, 25c.
CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES. By Cecil J. Richmond. A book full of the choicest new and original dialogues for Christmas, parts for both boys and girls being well provided for. Some are for the little folks, in rhyme, some are for intermediate grades, and others for older children. Every dialogue in this book is decidedly to the point and easy to prepare. They will delight young and old alike. Contents: Is There a Santa Claus? ”