Part 5 (1/2)

_Cinderella._ May I go to the ball, mother?

_Mother._ Nonsense, child! what are you thinking of? A ball is no place for a child like you. You are better off at home by the kitchen fire.

_Cinderella._ But I'm fourteen. Sister Katherine, won't you coax mamma to let me go?

_Katherine._ No, indeed, I'll not! What would you do at a ball? a silly thing like you!

_Elizabeth._ Don't be a goose. Wait till you're older and better looking. There's no room in the carriage for you, and you are too young, anyway.

_Mother._ Come, girls, it is time for us to go down town to buy our new gowns. Cinderella, go to your lessons. Don't think any more about the ball. You can't go, and so that's the end of it.

SCENE II.--_Cinderella's Home_

_Father._ Come, girls! aren't you ready yet? Is your mother coming?

_Katherine._ Yes, father, in just a minute.

_Mother._ Here we are, dear. Don't the girls look sweet?

_Father._ Yes, yes! but, come on, for we are late now.

_Mother._ Good night, Cinderella. Be a good girl and go to bed at nine o'clock.

[_All go out, leaving Cinderella alone._]

_Cinderella._ Good-by!--Now they have gone and I am all alone. Oh, why couldn't I go, too! How pretty they all looked! I would not take up much room, and I don't like to be left here by myself when they are having such a good time. Oh, dear! I believe I'm going to cry, but I can't help it. [_Cries._]

[_Enter fairy G.o.dmother._]

_Fairy G.o.dmother._ Why are you crying, Cinderella?

_Cinderella._ Who is that? I thought I heard some one speaking to me, but I can't see anybody.

_Fairy G.o.dmother._ What is the matter, Cinderella?

_Cinderella._ Oh, _lovely_ lady! who are you?

_Fairy G.o.dmother._ I am your fairy G.o.dmother, my child, and I wish to know why you are crying.

_Cinderella._ Oh, dear! I'm crying because they have all gone to the ball; and I wanted to go, too, and they wouldn't take me!

_Fairy G.o.dmother._ Never mind, my dear. Stop crying, and I will let you go.

_Cinderella._ Oh, dear fairy G.o.dmamma! will you, really? But how _can_ I go in this old dress?

_Fairy G.o.dmother._ You'll see. Tell me, Cinderella, have you a big yellow pumpkin in the kitchen garden?

_Cinderella._ Yes, I think so. I saw one there yesterday.

_Fairy G.o.dmother._ Go, get it for me.