MOTHER. Now, Maggie, take her to bed. [NURSE _leads her out._]
FATHER. Yes, it's high time you all went. Good-night, all of you!
CHILDREN. Good-night, Papa! Good-night, Mamma!
ROBIN [_runs to fireplace, and bends over, shouting_]. Good-night, Santa Claus!
FATHER. Now, scamper, every one of you! [_Chases them out_, MOTHER _follows. Stage darkened somewhat. Enter the_ BROWNIE _suddenly, through fireplace. Stands (Center) for a moment, finger on lips, then rushes to door, peeps out, comes back, looks under table, and then, as if satisfied, goes to stockings, and stands examining them, feet wide apart, and hands on hips. Comes to_ FATHER'S, _measures it with his hands, then lifts it by the toe, and points to it, grinning. Doubles up with laughter. Suddenly puts his hand to his ear, and bends over, listening. Rushes to door, runs back, and vanishes in chimney. Enter_ TED.]
TED [_softly_]. I just can't go to bed yet. Robin went to sleep the very minute he got into bed. Don't see how he could. Maggie thinks I'm all nicely tucked in, and she's gone downstairs. [_Goes to fireplace and looks up chimney._] I do wish I could catch Santa Claus. No signs of him yet, and I don't hear the sleigh-bells. I think I'll just sit down and wait. [_Crosses to his own chair, and sits facing audience, with one elbow on table._] I believe I could give Santa Claus a few pointers, anyway. [BROWNIE _puts his head out of fireplace, and then shows himself entirely, gradually creeping nearer and nearer_ TED, _as if irresistibly drawn by his remarks._] He does give people pretty much what they ask for, but [_slowly_] if he just stopped a minute to think about it, he'd find out what silly things they do think they want, sometimes. But [_sighs_] he's getting so old that he doesn't find it out at all. [BROWNIE, _behind him, raises his hands in horror, then shakes his fist at_ TED.] I really think it would be a good thing for Santa Claus to choose one person in each family to help him out,--with the planning, anyway, if he doesn't like to have anyone else fill the stockings. S'posing he chose me! I could help him a lot! [BROWNIE _springs excitedly on the table, and bends over_ TED, _shaking his fist in his face._]