What Christmas Did for Jerusha Grumble

Jessie. Um—m. Why, girls, I was never so surprised in all my life. Jerusha Grumble never spoke so nice to me as she did to-day. I was so surprised that I really had to stop every few minutes to think about it. That is one reason why I am so late in coming here.

Hazel (girls take seats again). Well, this is a surprise, Jessie, to think Jerusha took the trouble to speak kindly to one of us girls. I don’t think she would ever say good afternoon to me, for you know she has been very angry with me ever since I called her a cranky old maid.

Isabel. Dear me. Hazel, you ought not to have said that to her. Jerusha is cross, and awfully cranky, too, but perhaps there has been something in her life that has made her dislike every one. I heard father say once, that Jerusha had a sweetheart a long time ago, and that a girl named Hannah Takehim won him away from her, and Jerusha hasn’t been like the same person since. But I really do wish she would be different.

Jessie. She must be getting different, or she wouldn’t have spoken so nice to me to-day. Do you know, girls, what I was thinking of on my way here? It was just this. That we four be a committee to go down to see Jerusha, and invite her to go to the Christmas tree exercises to-morrow night. Let’s try to get Jerusha out among the people of the village, and when she sees that we want to be friendly with her, perhaps she will be different.

Julia. As likely as not when she sees us come in her gate, she will get angry and meet us at the door with a broomstick.

Jessie. Never mind how mad she is, we’ll pretend not to notice it, but all speak pleasantly to her, and gently push our way into the house.

Hazel. I am perfectly willing to go, because I would really like to see Jerusha live like other people, and not be such an unsociable old creature. Shall we all go girls? I will lead the way.

All. Yes, we will all go, Hazel.

Hazel. We’ll all meet at my house to-morrow afternoon. (All leave for home with goodbyes, etc.)

SCENE II.—_Sitting-room at Jerusha’s home_

(Oil stove in one corner; ironing board in the other. Jerusha’s large rocker at one side. Jerusha very busy.)

Jerusha. Well, Jerusha Grumble, you’re getting awful tired, indeed you are. But my sakes, how happy you have been to-day. (Seats herself in rocker.) Here I am just touching on fifty-eight, and all along I’ve acted like sixty. That is, I’ve acted like some one sixty years old, and not exactly that either, because most people sixty years old act decent-like and get some enjoyment out of life. But I always was cross-like, leastwise ever since Hannah Takehim done what she did. But Hannah’s dead now, and Jeremiah’s a widower and most blind. Pshaw! them things are all passed now, and I am going to live like other folks. Dear me, you don’t just know how good I did feel after I had said good afternoon to Jessie, yesterday. And how nice she did talk to me, and she said she hoped I would have a nice Christmas! And after she went on her way, I just thought to myself, Jerusha, just try and have a real nice Christmas once, and so I sets to work and made pie and cake, and molasses candy, and popcorn, and then I thought I would have a Christmas tree all to myself. Only it ain’t going to be a real tree, but just my new broom fixed up. When I was a little girl our poor dear mother used to fix up the broom on Christmas, and we children had lots of fun with it. You see we were very poor, and mother couldn’t afford to buy a real tree, so we made the broom answer instead. They are going to have a real tree up at the church to-night and wouldn’t I like to see it? If I was like other folks I would go up there. Yes, and I will go, too! Now I’ll lay out that old print skirt, and when I get time I will press it. (Lays out the things as she talks.) And I’ll fix my old bonnet over, and I’ll darn the holes in my black gloves, and go to the Christmas tree to-night. Now I must write this all down or I will forget about it. (Writes.) There now! I’ll fix up my own tree first before I do anything else. (Stands the broom up near her rocker, fixed so that it can be easily knocked over.) There, I guess that will do. It seems that the more I do to-day the happier I get. Now I’ll put this popcorn trimming on—and this ’copia I’ll put on, and yes, I’ll just write Jessie’s name on it, too. And this handkerchief is for Isabel. And this ribbon is for Julia. Wouldn’t those girls laugh if they could see my Christmas tree and presents on it for them? But it ain’t likely they will ever know that I was so foolish. I have always been so cross and cranky that no one ever comes here to see me, but I do mean to be different from now on. (As she finishes fixing up the broom.) There, that does look real nice. Now I will just sit down and look at it before I get things fixed up for to-night. (Seats herself in chair and admires the tree.) Jerusha Grumble, this has been your happiest Christmas since Hannah Takehim.... But as I said before, Hannah’s dead now, and Jeremiah’s a widower and most blind. (Falls asleep in the chair. Chair placed so she cannot be seen from door. Girls knock at door. Jerusha does not waken. Girls open door a little and peep in, but do not see her.)

Julia. Now Hazel, go in. You said that you would lead the way.

Hazel. Oh, supposing she gets mad and drives us away. You all know what a cross-patch Jerusha is.

Jessie. Well, girls, all call out, “Merry Christmas, Jerusha,” and then walk right in and begin to admire everything she has.

Isabel. Knock once more on the inside of the door.

Hazel. Here goes! Are you ready?

Isabel. Yes, Hazel, do for pity’s sake rap hard. Maybe she is upstairs.

Hazel (raises her hand to knock). Oh, girls, how can I?

Julia. You said you would, Hazel, now go ahead. Be quick!

Hazel. All ready, girls. (Raps at the door; no answer. All laugh and giggle.) She must be out or asleep. I’ll rap again. (Raps again and waits.)

Jessie. She may be sick. Let’s go right in. I’ll lead the way if Hazel won’t.