Effa E. Preston

“ If I got put in the box with a General I wouldn’t like it any more than he would. Children are very careless. Something unpleasant might easily happen. I think it best for me to stay right here. The Brownies can use me as a pattern next Christmas.
Santa: This is very strange. I never dreamed that you toys didn’t get on perfectly well. After this I’ll put all the officers in one box and all the common soldiers in another.
Brownie brings in five girls who represent books. They sing—
Song—Air: MY BONNIE
[5]
First Book:
We’re Books filled with stories and pictures. ”

“ Doll: Does the little girl have clean hands?
Pen: I suppose the parents might appreciate my poetry.
Top: Nights are long in Alaska. They would spin me only in the daytime I suppose.
Jumping-Jack: One reason why I wanted to stay here was because of the climate. It’s cold in Alaska, too, isn’t it Santa?
Santa: Yes, my child, yes.
Books [together] : You think we ought to go, don’t you, Santa?
[10]
Santa: My dear Toys, I leave it to your consciences. Do you like to think of those two little children way up in Alaska doing without any Christmas gifts because you were selfish? ”

“ There are two children—a boy and a girl, both very small.
Mrs. Santa: Poor little things, and no presents left for them.
Santa: No, I must start in five minutes. There’s no time to make anything for them now.
Brownie: There’s nothing left in the workshop. I just looked. It’s a shame. Fleet-Foot says they are such nice children.
During all this conversation the Tree and the Toys have been listening very carefully. They come forward. ”