structure. An advantage of this plan is that they need not be as long
as regulation beds. Four children to a bed means packing them like
sardines, but it can be done, and it always amuses the audience.

The effect of a fire on the hearth can be made by quick motions
with an ever-ready flashlight operated from behind. The children and
Grandmother, standing in front, allow but an imperfect view of the
fire-place, so that the illusion is easy to produce. The fireplace,
however, may be a real one, if that is more convenient. In that case the
flashlight must be operated by one of the children, kneeling in front of
the fire-place; and when Santa Claus enters the room must be absolutely
dark, so that he will first be seen when he turns on his flashlight, as
he crouches before the fire-place, having apparently just come down the
chimney.

If candies or gifts are to be distributed to children in the audience,
as when this play is used as the Christmas entertainment of a Sunday
School, Mother Goose may come out again, as soon as the curtain closes
after the second scene, and speak as follows:

Well, my dear children, my little Play for you is finished, and I hope
you liked it. There is just one thing left to be said. Those little boys
and girls whom you saw asleep in their beds found that Santa Claus had
not only put into their stockings presents for THEM, but also left
something for YOU; and what do you suppose it was? A box of candy for
each one of you, and if you will sit still a moment longer, the curtain
will open again, and the candy will be handed to you. And so, my dears,
as I say Good-night, I wish you all (or I hope you have all had) a Merry
Christmas and (wish you) a Happy New Year.