Part 10 (1/2)

_Mother Hubbard._ That's May Day and a very good day for a party out-of-doors. Well I must go home now. Good-by! If I can help you, please call upon me.

_Mother Goose._ Thank you, Mother Hubbard! Good-by, and thank you again for coming over.

SCENE IV.--_At the Party_

_Mother Hubbard._ What a lovely day you have for your party, Mother Goose! The sun s.h.i.+nes so bright and warm, and the flowers are lovely. Is there anything I can do?

_Mother Goose._ No, thank you. I'm glad you came early. Have you seen the tables?

_Mother Hubbard._ They are lovely! Where did you get such pretty flowers?

_Mother Goose._ From Mistress Mary, quite contrary. You know she has a garden

With c.o.c.kle sh.e.l.ls, and silver bells, And pretty maids all in a row.

_Mother Hubbard._ I see some one coming.

_Mother Goose._ Why, how do you do, A-Dillar-a-Dollar! Are you always in such good time?

_A-Dillar-a-Dollar._ I'm afraid not, Mrs. Goose. They call me

A ten o'clock scholar, Why did you come so soon?

You used to come at ten o'clock, And now you come at noon!

_Mother Goose._ And here comes Mary with her little lamb. Do you like the lamb better than a Teddy Bear, Mary?

_Mary._ Yes, indeed, I do. Because the lamb loves me, you know.

It followed me to school one day, Which was against the rule; It made the children laugh and play, To see the lamb at school.

_Mother Goose._ Here comes the Old Woman who lives in a shoe, and her two oldest boys. Dear Mrs. Shoe-woman, I am very glad to see you! How did you leave all of your children?

_Mrs. Shoe-woman._ Oh, dear, Mother Goose! I have so many children I don't know what to do: when they are naughty I give them some broth without any bread, and whip them all soundly and put them to bed.

_Mother Goose._ Here are all the children coming to the party! Come, children, let us have a dance. All stand around the Maypole as I call your names:

Little Miss m.u.f.fet and Boy Blue;

Little Bo-Peep and Jacky Horner;

Nancy Etticoat and Jack-be-nimble;

Mary and the little Boy who lives in the Lane.

All take ribbons and stand around the Maypole. Are you all ready?

_Children._ Yes, Mother Goose, we are all ready when the music begins.

_Mother Goose._ Old King Cole, will you have your three fiddlers play for the dance?