traditional costume of fur, white beard, and a Christmas pack;
Mr. St. Nicholas, in evening dress with silk hat; Dora, Katie,
Maggie, and little Bess; Harry, Charlie, Tom, and John in
ordinary school clothes.

The scene opens with a large fireplace arranged at the center
of the platform, a dark curtain drawn before the opening
to conceal Santa Claus. The accompaniment to "Nancy Lee"
is heard, and the eight children march in, carrying their
stockings.)

Oh, Christmas time has come again,
Tra la la la, tra la la la;
We welcome it with glad refrain,
Tra la la la la la.

Of all the happy holidays this year
There's none so joyous, none so dear,
Then sing we all our song of festive glee,
Of Santa Claus and Christmas tree.

_Chorus_.--Oh, ring the bells, the merry Christmas bells, Their music
all our pleasure tells. _(Repeat, singing tra la la whenever necessary
to give the rhythm. They pause in groups in center, right, and
left; some sit, others stand, and change their positions during the
dialogue)_

_Harry_: Oh dear, the same old thing again this year, I suppose! "Hang
up the baby's stocking, be sure you don't forget."