Scene—A sitting-room at Isabel’s home

Isabel (Isabel, Julia, Hazel busy with Christmas gifts). I suppose, Julia, you have finished all the Christmas presents that you intend to make this year. You certainly have been very industrious for the past few weeks.

Julia. Industrious is the right way to put it, Isabel; I certainly have been very busy. But when this pair of mittens and wristlets that I am making for Tom are finished, I can say I am through for this year.

Hazel. Have you made many presents this year, Julia?

Julia. Yes, quite a number of them, Hazel. I don’t remember just how many, but I surely have been busy.

Hazel (teasingly, looking at Julia). I have heard say that it don’t take much to keep some people busy. For instance, now, there is——

Julia (quickly). Now that’s not me, Hazel, not at all. When I work, I work.

Isabel. So does a pump-handle, Julia. But then some one must take hold of it.

Julia. I see you girls just want to tease me. Well go ahead, I don’t care.

(Enter Jessie, excitedly, laying aside her wraps.)

Hazel. Well, well! If here isn’t the sluggard at last. We thought you were never, never, going to come. What detained you so long?

Jessie (flurried and excitedly). Oh, girls, you couldn’t ever—ever guess. In a year’s time you couldn’t ever—ever—ever guess.

Isabel. An engine down on the railroad crossing?

Jessie. No!—No! (Shaking her head.)

Julia. Had to wait for your mother to fix your hair, or tie your hair ribbons?

Jessie. No! No! Oh, girls (holding up hands in surprise) just think of it! Jerusha Grumble was out sweeping off her walk as I came along and she looked up and smiled, and said just as pleasant as could be, “Good afternoon, Jessie.” (All the girls rise quickly and look at Jessie in astonishment.)

Julia (drawls out). She d-i-d?

Jessie (nodding). U-m. Um—m.

Hazel (with emphasis). She—did—indeed?

Jessie.—Um——. Um-m-m——

Isabel (more emphasis). Really—did she?

Jessie. Um—m. Why, girls, I was never so surprised in all my life. Jerusha Grumble never spoke so nice to me as she did to-day. I was so surprised that I really had to stop every few minutes to think about it. That is one reason why I am so late in coming here.

Hazel (girls take seats again). Well, this is a surprise, Jessie, to think Jerusha took the trouble to speak kindly to one of us girls. I don’t think she would ever say good afternoon to me, for you know she has been very angry with me ever since I called her a cranky old maid.

Isabel. Dear me. Hazel, you ought not to have said that to her. Jerusha is cross, and awfully cranky, too, but perhaps there has been something in her life that has made her dislike every one. I heard father say once, that Jerusha had a sweetheart a long time ago, and that a girl named Hannah Takehim won him away from her, and Jerusha hasn’t been like the same person since. But I really do wish she would be different.

Jessie. She must be getting different, or she wouldn’t have spoken so nice to me to-day. Do you know, girls, what I was thinking of on my way here? It was just this. That we four be a committee to go down to see Jerusha, and invite her to go to the Christmas tree exercises to-morrow night. Let’s try to get Jerusha out among the people of the village, and when she sees that we want to be friendly with her, perhaps she will be different.

Julia. As likely as not when she sees us come in her gate, she will get angry and meet us at the door with a broomstick.

Jessie. Never mind how mad she is, we’ll pretend not to notice it, but all speak pleasantly to her, and gently push our way into the house.

Hazel. I am perfectly willing to go, because I would really like to see Jerusha live like other people, and not be such an unsociable old creature. Shall we all go girls? I will lead the way.

All. Yes, we will all go, Hazel.

Hazel. We’ll all meet at my house to-morrow afternoon. (All leave for home with goodbyes, etc.)