In the Children's Room

"

"This is such wonderful fun!" said little Anna.

"Quiet, quiet!" said Grandfather. "Silent approval will show that you belong to the educated public in the front rows. Now Miss Glove sings her great aria with a break in her voice:

I have no voice;

I can crow, but that's all;

Caw, caw-in the lofty hall!

"Now comes the really exciting part, little Anna. This is the most important scene in the whole play. Mr. Waistcoat unbuttons himself and addresses his speech to you out front, so that you will applaud. But don't do it; it's more refined not to. Hear how his silk cloth rustles.

" 'I am driven to extremities! Take care of yourself! Here's my plot! You are the pipe head, and I am the good head. Zip! and away you go!'

"Did you see that, little Anna!" said Grandfather. "That's a most delightful comic scene; Mr. Waistcoat seized the old Pipe Head and put him into his pocket! There he lies, and Mr. Waistcoat speaks:

" 'Aha, you are in my pocket now, in my deepest pocket! You will never come out unless you promise to unite me to your daughter, Miss Left-hand Glove. I hold out my right hand!' "

"My, that's awfully pretty!" said little Anna.

"And now old Pipe Head replies:

I'm getting so awfully dizzy!

Unlike before, I'm not busy.

Gone is my humor, I fear.

Never have I felt so queer.

Without my stem here I feel so frail.

Take me from your pocket without fail,

And you shall have my daughter here,

To marry and to hold dear.

"Is the play over already?" said little Anna.

"Certainly not," said Grandfather. "It's just all over with Mr. Boot. Now the lovers kneel and one of them sings:

Father!

and the other:

Mr. Pipe Head, do as you oughter,

Bless your son and daughter!

"They receive his blessing and celebrate their wedding, and all the furniture sings in chorus:

Clinks and clanks,

A thousand thanks,

And now our play is over!

"And now we can applaud," said Grandfather. "We'll bring them all out for a curtain call, and the pieces of furniture, too, for they're made of mahogany.