The airs mentioned may all be found in “Folk Songs and Other Songs for Children”; Oliver Ditson Company.
[_The_ QUEEN _and_ FAIRIES _enter, dancing, to the air of “Come, Lasses and Lads.” The_ HOLLY ELVES _dance in from opposite side, and, with the_ FAIRIES, _form a circle about the_ QUEEN, _singing_:]
Come fairies and elves, bestirring yourselves, Take hands in a joyous ring! With step so light, in our woodland white, We’ll merrily dance and sing. No sorrow or care we know; Through forest and field we go— Then trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it, Over the sparkling snow; Then trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it, Over the sparkling snow!
[_The_ QUEEN _seats herself upon the mound as a throne, while the rest group themselves about her_. CRYSTAL, PEARL, _and several others step to left, looking off intently, as though something attracted their notice_.]
QUEEN. What see you, loyal subjects? Speak, I pray!
CRYSTAL. [_Returning and bowing before the_ QUEEN.] Your Majesty, two mortals come this way!
PEARL. Two children, trudging hither through the snow, Toward our band, with lagging steps and slow.
QUEEN. Two children? Coming here? ’Tis passing strange! Few mortals through our lonely woodland range. [_Rises._] Away, my band! We’ll hide, until we see Who these unwonted visitors may be!
[_They all hide, behind tree, in wings, etc. Enter, from left_, BETTY _and_ DICK, _dragging evergreen boughs. They move wearily, and pause near center, to look about them._]
BETTY. O, Dicky dear, when _are_ we going back? It must be time to take the homeward track! The snow’s too deep—the holly grows so high; And I’m so tired—I almost want to cry! Which is the path?
DICK. [_Looking about doubtfully._] I guess it’s this one—no, It’s that—they all look puzzling, in the snow!
BETTY. [_Dismayed._] Dick, aren’t you sure? I thought you _always_ knew! Oh, if we’re lost, whatever shall we do?
DICK. [_With boyish impatience._] Now, little goosie, don’t you dare to cry! Wait here—I’m sure to find it, if I try. [_Walks about, searching._] It’s somewhere near; I’ll find it in a hurry! [_Aside._] I mustn’t let poor little Betty worry!
[BETTY _standing facing R., wiping her eyes, but evidently trying to be brave. The_ QUEEN _peeps at her from behind the Christmas tree, and she gives a startled cry._]