Part 17

Mother Goose. First, the dear Old Woman who lives in the shoe--

Mother Hubbard. What! and all her children?

Mother Goose. No, only the two eldest. You know the party is for my son Jack, too, and we must have the young people as well as their parents. Old King Cole will come and bring his fiddlers three to play for the young folks who dance.

Mother Hubbard. I hope you won't invite Tom the Piper's Son, or My Son John as his mother calls him,--or Humpty-Dumpty. They are not good boys for your son Jack to play with!

Mother Goose. I suppose not; but I like them all, and I dislike to leave out anyone. I don't wish to hurt their feelings.

Mother Hubbard. There are little Bo-Peep and Boy Blue, who are good children, although rather silly; and there are little Miss Muffet and Nancy Etticoat, both very pretty little girls; and there are Jacky Horner and Tommy Tucker and the Man-in-the-Moon and Taffey and Daffey-Down-Dilly and--

Mother Goose. I'll have to give a garden party if I invite all those! I can't leave any out, and I think I'll have the party out-of-doors.

Mother Hubbard. That will be fine! I only hope it will be a pleasant day. When will you give it?

Mother Goose. Two weeks from to-day, the first of May.

Mother Hubbard. That's May Day and a very good day for a party out-of-doors. Well I must go home now. Good-by! If I can help you, please call upon me.

Mother Goose. Thank you, Mother Hubbard! Good-by, and thank you again for coming over.

SCENE IV.--At the Party

Mother Hubbard. What a lovely day you have for your party, Mother Goose! The sun shines so bright and warm, and the flowers are lovely. Is there anything I can do?

Mother Goose. No, thank you. I'm glad you came early. Have you seen the tables?

Mother Hubbard. They are lovely! Where did you get such pretty flowers?

Mother Goose. From Mistress Mary, quite contrary. You know she has a garden

With cockle shells, and silver bells, And pretty maids all in a row.

Mother Hubbard. I see some one coming.

Mother Goose. Why, how do you do, A-Dillar-a-Dollar! Are you always in such good time?

A-Dillar-a-Dollar. I'm afraid not, Mrs. Goose. They call me

A ten o'clock scholar, Why did you come so soon? You used to come at ten o'clock, And now you come at noon!

Mother Goose. And here comes Mary with her little lamb. Do you like the lamb better than a Teddy Bear, Mary?

Mary. Yes, indeed, I do. Because the lamb loves me, you know.

It followed me to school one day, Which was against the rule; It made the children laugh and play, To see the lamb at school.

Mother Goose. Here comes the Old Woman who lives in a shoe, and her two oldest boys. Dear Mrs. Shoe-woman, I am very glad to see you! How did you leave all of your children?

Mrs. Shoe-woman. Oh, dear, Mother Goose! I have so many children I don't know what to do: when they are naughty I give them some broth without any bread, and whip them all soundly and put them to bed.

Mother Goose. Here are all the children coming to the party! Come, children, let us have a dance. All stand around the Maypole as I call your names:

Little Miss Muffet and Boy Blue;