(_Holding out hands to audience_)

    Now, if you please, we'll take our pay.
    Our work is done, it's time for play,
    On a frosty winter's morning.--_Cho_.

  (_Begin snowballing with the cotton, throwing balls into
  audience and at each other_.)


       *       *       *       *       *

=Christmas Stockings.=

By A.S. WEBBER.

    (Six small girls and boys are needed for speaking, and any
    even number of larger girls for singing. A boy leads each
    division of the march, immediately followed by those who
    speak.

    An equal number enter from opposite sides as far back as
    possible, pass in front to sides, back half-way, form
    two lines across front, having the six who speak in front
    (alternating boy and girl), and the larger pupils back of them
    sing as they enter and until they are placed the chorus of
    "Birdies' Ball," beginning "Tra la la la la." When in position
    all sing the following two verses, air, "Birdies' Ball." When
    chorus is reached, let them keep time by resting weight on
    right foot on first count, and at same time swinging left foot
    over right, touch toe to floor, dipping body slightly on third
    count, foot back in place on first count of next measure. Rest
    weight on left foot and swing right foot over left, touching
    right toe on third count, foot back in place on first count of
    next measure, etc.)

  Santa Claus on Christmas eve,
    Means to give a gift to all,
  Each a stocking we will hang,
    Stockings big and stockings small.

  _Chorus_.--Tra la la la, etc.

  Santa Claus on Christmas eve
    Comes with reindeer swift as air,
  Early all must be in bed,
    Leaving only stockings there.

  _Chorus_.--Tra la la la, etc.

    (A girl comes one step forward, bows, and speaks.)

  I mean to hang on Christmas eve
    A stocking of this size _(measures),_
  Because I want a doll so big,
    That sleeps and shuts its eyes.
  To crowd it in a stocking small
    Would surely not be wise.

    (Pupil steps back in place and all sing the chorus, keeping
    time as before.)

  _2d Pupil_.--My stocking is the one I'll hang,
    I know 'twill hold quite well,
  About a hundred marbles more
    Than's owned by Tommy Bell.
  Of course I want some candy, too,
    But the marbles are what tell.

    (Steps back, and chorus is repeated as before.)

  _3d Pupil_.--I mean to beg a stocking small
    Of little sister Clare,
  Because I want some things so small
    They'll scarce be found e'en there.
  I want a ring that has a stone,
    And a pretty pin to wear.

    (Chorus repeated as before.)

  _4th Pupil_.--I've measured all the stockings round,
    And think I'll hang up two,
  Because I want a pair of skates,--
    One stocking will not do.
  Of course I want some sweets and things
    To last the whole week through.

  _Chorus, etc_.

  _5th Pupil_.--My mamma's stocking I will hang,
    'Twill so much better hold
  A tea-set for my dolly dear,
    All painted round with gold;
  And dishes can't be squeezed, you know,
    That's what I've oft been told.

  _Chorus, etc_.

  _6th Pupil_.--And I don't know just what to do,