HULDA. Oh, I do hope Santa Claus will come and visit us tonight. But of course he cannot go every place. Some children have to be left out. KLINKER. Yes, that's so; but I hope it ain't us. Don't you, Schwillie Willie Winkum? SCHWILLIE. Sure, I do. I wish old Santa would hurry up and come, 'cause the old Sandman is here already. I'm getting awful sleepy. KLINKER. Me--I'm getting awful sleepy, too. (_Stretches and yawns._) TOMASSO. I wonder what has become of Anita? She said she had a wonderful secret that was-a verra, verra grand. MEENY. A secret, Tomasso? (_Goes to him._) TOMASSO (_standing at C._). Yes, a great, beeg, grand-a secret. BIDDY MARY (_goes to him and takes his L. arm_). Oh, what is it, Tomasso? MEENY (_taking his R. arm_). Yes, Tomasso, tell us vot it is already. BIDDY MARY (_turning_ TOMASSO _around to face her_). Sure, if there's anything on earth I _do_ love, it's a secret. HULDA (_and the other girls, surrounding_ TOMASSO). Yes, Tomasso, tell us the secret; we'll never tell anyone. MEENY (_pulling him around to face her_). Sure we won't. Nice Tomasso, tell us vot it is yet. TOMASSO (_hesitates_). Well, I---- BIDDY MARY (_pulling him around to face her_). Now, you tell _me_, Tomasso. I never tell any secrets at all, at all. TOMASSO. Well, I---- MEENY (_pulls him around again_). If you're going to tell it, I want to hear every word. I never want to miss noddings no times. BIDDY MARY (_pulls him back_). Neither do I. HULDA. Neither do I. MEENY. Neither do any of us. KLINKER. I don't want to miss nothing neither. SCHWILLIE. No, und I don't neither. ALL. Now, what is the secret, Tomasso? TOMASSO (_loudly_). It is not my secret. It is Anita's secret. ALL. Well, what is Anita's secret. TOMASSO. She wouldn't tell me. ALL (_turn away very much disappointed_). Oh! TOMASSO. She's promised to tell us all in the morning. She said that would be her Christmas present to us--to tell us the secret. (_All sit or recline around the stage. Lower the lights._) SERGIUS. It seems so strange to spend Christmas Eve away out here in the middle of the ocean. KLINKER (_almost asleep_). Wake me up, Hulda, just as soon as Santa Claus comes. BIDDY MARY (_at R._). Sure I think the Sandman has been after spillin' sand in all of our eyes. I'm that sleepy I can't say a word at all, at all. SANO SAN. They're putting out all the lights. Here, Sergius, hang my little lantern in front of the candle. AH GOO. Allee samee hang mine. (SANO SAN _and_ AH GOO _each give their lanterns to_ SERGIUS, _who lights them and hangs them on the table. Note: Nails must be put in the table at R. and L. corners facing front for these lanterns._) SERGIUS. I'm going to stretch out here and take a little nap. (_Reclines on floor._) Be sure and wake me up, Hulda, just as soon as you hear the bells on his reindeer. TOMASSO (_yawns_). I wonder what has become of Anita? HULDA (_stretches_). I believe I'm getting sleepy, too. OTHERS. So are all of us.