It's no use to make a fuss!

(_Brownies dance about impishly_.)

_Tip_: Yes! In vain you squeal and cry.

We shall eat the Christmas pie!

_Snip_: Proud you may be, as Mazeppa!

But we only fear RED PEPPER!

DUET (_Prince_ and _Brownies_).

(Air: "There Lived a King."--_The Gondoliers_.)

_Prince_: If that is so, you'd better trot, For if you stay you'll get it hot!

I swear that I will thrash the lot For I'm the Prince, Red Pepper!

_Brownies (cowering, afraid)_: Now if we stay, we plainly see That very soon there'll ructions be!

Observe his hair, how fi-er-y!

Oh, yes! He's a high-stepper!

And, though he cannot make us sneeze, His sword will tickle and will tease; I think the pie we'd better seize, And run from this Red Pepper!

(_Music. Brownies seize pie_.)

_Prince_: Now, put that pie down straight away, Or very rude things I shall say, And run you through and through I may If I become excited!

_Brownies (consulting together by table)_: I really think he means it, too!

Now what on earth are we to do?

We do not care to be run through!

_(Howling pitifully)_We don't like being fighted.

_Prince_: If that is so, I think you'll see You'd better kneel at once to me, And humbly beg for clemency!

For so is vice requited!

_Brownies (repeating chorus, kneeling round Prince)_: Oh, yes, dear sir, we plainly see That we had better kneel to thee, And humbly beg for clemency!

For so is vice requited!

_Prince (brandishing sword)_: Now, one, two, three, and off you fly, Or ev'ry one of you shall die!

(_Brownies scream, and are about to run off as enter Princess_ R.

_with pepper-pot_.)

_Prince_: Princess! What brings you here?

_Princess_: They took the pepper-pot away from you! I found it underneath my ladies' pillow, because they sneezed so much it wakened me. But, oh, I see you have not needed it!

_Brownies_: Oh, no, no, no! Pray, do not pepper us! (_Brownies turn and kneel to Princess imploringly_.)

_Prince_: And you came to save me?

_Princess_: Is it not my duty to protect my scullions?

_Prince_: Princess, I am no scullion (_throws off ragged cloak_.) This was a disguise to help me gain admittance to your castle! It was the only way in which I could find a means to woo you. But my name's Prince Fairasday--or, if you like, or as my servants say--Red Pepper.

Am I forgiven?

_Princess_: Oh, yes, indeed you are! (_He embraces her_.) In the strictest confidence I don't mind telling you I'm longing to be married and get away from all these girls!

_Prince_: Then we'll be married in the morning!

_Princess_: As soon as you like--Oh (_screams_), my ladies! Look, they're coming!

(_Enter Sweeting, Greening, Kitchenmaid, Cooklet and Head Cook, in nightgowns and nightcaps, with candles. Stage light. The candles may be blown out. Prince and Princess stand in center; Brownies kneel before them humbly, backs to audience; Head Cook, Kitchenmaid and Cooklet_, R. _of Princess and Prince. Greening and Sweeting disgusted L.)_

FINALE. _Cook, Kitchenmaid, Cooklet, Sweeting, Greening (as they enter_):

CHORUS. (Air: "Bogie Man.")Dear, dear, dear!

Now, what is all this fuss?

And what's the Princess doing here?

It really puzzles us!

_Brownies_: She came to save her scullion, And found a Prince instead.

And we are kneeling down because He nearly killed us dead!

DUET (_Prince_ and _Princess_). (Air: "When We Are Married.")

_Princess_: Now all is over, you will agree The moral is plain as a moral can he: If you act kindly, rewarded you'll be.

Have a prince for your husband, and end happily!

CHORUS. (Air: "There Lived a King.")

_Prince_: And boys must be both brave and strong, And ever quick to right the wrong; And now, ere I conclude my song, I'll speak of pepper quickly!

For pepper stirs and brisks you up, And makes you more inclined to sup, And seasons many a loving cup Which else would be too sickly!

_Brownies_: And though we are not killed quite dead, With honest shame we hang our head, And much regret the lives we led, Before we met Red Pepper!

FULL CHORUS. So now our little play is done, Before you people homeward run, We hope to hear from every one That you have liked Red Pepper!

(CURTAIN.)

=A Game of Letters.=

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

BY ELIZABETH J. ROOK.

(_For fourteen little ones. Each has a large card, his letter printed on it in bright colors. As he recites, he holds it up in plain view, but drops it to his side at the close of his recitation. S takes his place to the Right, the others following in the order here given until a straight line is formed_.)