_Bright, cheerful music._ SCROOGE _and_ SECOND SPIRIT _cross to R. The rear curtains open, showing the interior of the Cratchit kitchen. Everything neat, but showing extreme poverty. Fireplace C. rear. Kettle boiling on crane. Table down L.C. with red cloth and lighted lamp. Cupboard up R. Old chairs around stage. Several pots of bright flowers in evidence. A bird in a cage is singing over the mantel._ PETER _discovered watching the potatoes boiling in the kettle at the fireplace. Enter_ MRS. CRATCHIT _and_ BELINDA _from L._ MRS. CRATCHIT. Hurry, Belinda; we must set the table right away. How's the taters, Peter? PETER (_peeks in the kettle_). Boiling, mammy, boiling. MRS. CRATCHIT. Here, carry the lamp over there. BELINDA. Yes, ma'am. (_Puts lamp on cupboard._) MRS. CRATCHIT. And now where's the white table cloth? BELINDA (_getting it from cupboard_). Here it is, mammy. (_They place castor, plates, knives, etc., on table during the following scene._) MRS. CRATCHIT. Whatever has got your precious father, I wonder? He and Tiny Tim's been at the church these three hours. _Enter_ BOB _and_ BETTY _from R. They run down and kiss_ MRS. CRATCHIT. BOB. Oh, mumsy, we saw the goose, we did. We peeked in through the bakery window and we saw the goose, we did. BETTY. And we smelled him, too. And we went inside, we did. And the baker asked us what was wantin'. And Bob said he wanted to know which goose was the Cratchit goose. BOB. And he pointed to the very biggest one, mumsy. Didn't he, Betty? BETTY. And it was all nice and browny on top. And he said it 'ud be ready in 'bout twenty minutes. Didn't he, Bob? BOB. And it was the best looking goose I ever saw, it was. It just made me hungry to see him and to smell him baking. BETTY. And it had sage and onion stuffing, mumsy, didn't it, Bob? MRS. CRATCHIT. I'm sure there never was such a goose before, and I'm sure there never will be such a goose again. How's the 'taters, Peter? PETER (_looks in kettle_). Boilin', mammy, boilin'. BOB. Oh, Peter's got on pa's shirt collar, he has. Peter's got on pa's shirt collar. PETER. If I didn't have to mind these 'taters, I'd show you! MRS. CRATCHIT. I can't think what's keeping your father, and your brother Tiny Tim. And Martha wasn't as late last Christmas Day by half an hour. _Enter_ MARTHA _from R._ MARTHA. Here's Martha, mumsy. BOB (_dragging her down to Mrs. Cratchit_). Here's Martha, mumsy. BETTY. Oh, Martha, there's such a goose! Isn't there, Bob? MRS. CRATCHIT (_hugging and kissing_ MARTHA). Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are! (_Takes off her bonnet and shawl._) MARTHA. We'd a deal of work to finish up last night. I was on my feet all day. Oh, why won't people learn to do their Christmas shopping early. If they'd only stop to give a moment's thought to the poor clerks.