Scene 1: A Street
Reading edition
This can be made by placing a row of chairs with open backs near the wall facing the audience; a child is stationed behind each chair, and, looking through the open back, pretends to be looking out of a window.
BAND
First Child behind chair.—Oh! dear, how dull our street always is. I declare nothing nice ever comes this way.
Second Child.—No, I quite agree with you. Why, I haven't seen a "Punch and Judy" for months. I wish my mother would go and live in another street.
Third Child.—Never mind, let us go out and have a game.
(Enter five or six children—or a lesser number, if more convenient—carrying toy musical instruments.)
First Child.—Hurrah! Here comes a German band. Come along, children; let's go and listen to it.
(The band groups itself at the end of the street, and the children stand round. After tuning up, the band begins to play.)
Second Child.—Now, Mary Jane, we can dance. I'll dance with you.
Third Child.—No, I want to dance with Mary Jane.
First Child.—I don't want to dance at all.
Second Child.—You must.
Third Child.—Yes, you must.
(Band ceases playing and one of the bandsmen comes round for money.)
First Child.—I haven't any money.
Second Child.—But we haven't begun to dance yet.
Bandsman.—You shouldn't have been so long arguing then. Surely you'll give the band a nickel, after all the pretty music it has played?
First Child.—I won't.
Second Child.—I won't.
Third Child.—And I won't.
Bandsman.—Well, you are mean. Come along. (Beckoning to the rest of the band.) We'll go, and it will be a long time before we come down this street again.
(Curtain falls.)