ANITA. I am going to dance. My uncle, Pedro Spanilli, he haba de grind-organ. Until last-a month he had-a de nice-a monkey, named Mr. Jocko, but last-a month Mr. Jocko he die, and my uncle, Pedro Spanilli, he send for me to take-a his place. JACK FROST. Take the monkey's place? ANITA. Yes, sir. I'm going to go round with my uncle and hold out my tambourine, so! (_Poses and holds out tambourine._) And then I will-a collect the pennies, just like-a Mr. Jocko used to do. JACK FROST (_mocking her_). I suppose you are going to wear a leetla red cap and jump up and down this way (_imitates a monkey_), and say, "Give-a de monk de cent!" ANITA (_laughing_). Oh, no. I'm going to sing the leetla song, and dance the leetla dance, so! (_Hums and dances, or a song may be introduced at this point by_ ANITA.) Then, when I'm finished, I go to the kind leetla boy, Jack Frost, and hold out my tambourine, so! (_Does so._) And maybe he drops a nickel in my tambourine. Eh? Does he? JACK FROST (_sighs, then drops a nickel in tambourine_). Yes, I guess he does. And you just wait till tomorrow morning, Anita, and I'll give you the finest Christmas present on the Atlantic Ocean. ANITA. And you must not forget the leetla Dutch twins, and my cousin Tomasso, and Hulda and Meeny and Sergius and Ah Goo and Sano San and Needla and Biddy Mary and Paddy Mike and all the rest. JACK FROST. Whew! That's a big order. But we won't forget a single soul on Christmas Day. And now I've got to go and put the finishing touches on--you know what! (_Goes behind curtains that conceal the Christmas tree._) ANITA (_looks around_). Why, he's gone. JACK FROST (_sticking his head out of the curtains_). The sun has set, it's out of sight, so little Jack Frost will say good-night! (_Disappears back of curtains._) ANITA. Good-night, Jolly Jack Frost, good-night. Oh, it's the most wonderful secret in all the world. And won't the leetla children be glad to know that old Santa Claus has not forgotten them. He said that Santa Claus was coming tonight in the air ship, and it's got to be true, it's just got to be true. _Enter_ TOMASSO _from R., carrying violin._ TOMASSO. Anita, if you don't hurry you'll not get any supper at all. It's most eight o'clock. ANITA. Oh, I don't care for supper, Tomasso. I could-a not eat. I'm too much excited to eat. TOMASSO. What make-a you so excited, Anita? ANITA. Why, tonight--(pauses as she remembers her promise) Oh, that I cannot tell; it's a secret. TOMASSO. What is the secret? ANITA. If I told-a you, Tomasso, then it would no longer be a secret. TOMASSO. You should-a not have the secrets from me, Anita. I am your cousin, also--I am the head of the family. ANITA. But I made the promise not to tell. TOMASSO. Who you make-a the promise to? ANITA. I promised Jack--(_hesitates_) I mean, I make-a de promise to someone. TOMASSO. To Jack! Who is this-a Jack, Anita?