Читать книгу St. Nicholas Book of Plays & Operettas онлайн

10 страница из 35

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.]

Betty.

Oh, Dicky, come!

Dick. [Running to her.]

What for?

Betty. [Pouting.]

Behind that tree—

I’m sure I saw somebody wave at me!

Dick. [Scornfully.]

A puff of wind, that blew the snow about,

Or maybe just a rabbit, jumping out!

Betty.

I thought perhaps—it made me feel so queer—

’Twas some good fairy, come to help us here!

Dick. [With superior wisdom.]

That’s silly! Don’t you know, you can’t depend

On fairies, ’cause they’re only just “pretend”?

Betty. [With conviction.]

I b’lieve they’re real! [Wearily.]

Oh, Dicky, can’t we sit

Upon this mound, and rest ourselves a bit? [Sits down.]

Dick. [He sits beside her, and she leans

her head against him.]

Only a moment; for we’ll need the light

To find our path; you see, it’s almost night.

Betty. [Drowsily.]

I wish that fairy’d come—the path to show—