beard and should be provided with a gilded club.  When the curtain rises, Arabella is discovered seated under the Christmas tree, eating comfits.  The action should be stiff-jointed and doll-like throughout.

Arabella (rising):  Oh, marvelous is Nature!  Only see How bounteous the spreading Christmas tree That bears upon its branches sugar-plums, With candy canes and baskets, balls and drums And trumpets, whistles, candles, pop-corn strings, And countless kinds of gilt and tinsel things!  Beneath its shade I’ll sit me down a while And read, an idle moment to beguile, These tender letters penned by suitors three Who seek my hand—­What can they see in me? (Seating herself, she takes out three letters, opening one.) That sailor doll!  He talks of foreign lands And sings; but I can’t bear his tarry hands!  Besides, ’tis rash to trust these roving men.

(Tearing the letter.)
  So, Bobbie Shafto, go to sea again.
(She opens another letter.)
  Poor Koko!  How that soldier boy does tease! 
  To tell the truth, I like that Japanese: 
  But, no! ’twould never do.  I can’t afford
  To wed a doll with nothing but a sword.
(She sighs, folds the letter, and opens the third.)
A crest!  The Marquis!—­Yes, he’s dull, alas! 
  But think!—­the Marchioness of Carabas!

(Rising, she marches majestically R. Koko enters hurriedly.  He throws himself at her feet and seizes her hand.)

Koko:  Hail, Arabella. (She draws away.) Nay, be not so nice!  Though I said “Hail!” yet do not turn to ice.  That chilly manner fairly makes one freeze.  Behold me down upon my Japan knees!  He bends to thee who never knelt before!  Thou art my all.

  Arabella (aside):  Oh, sawdust!  What a bore!

  Koko:  One word from thee would lift me to the skies. 
  Pray speak that word!

  Arabella:  I’ll try to, sir.  Arise!

  Koko:  Nay, mock me not!  You know the word I mean.

  Arabella:  Oh, Captain Koko! please don’t make a scene.

  Koko:  What!  Do you spurn me?

Arabella (soothingly):  Now, I wouldn’t care To put it that way.  Captain, don’t despair!  That German doll would make a model wife.  But, frankly, I don’t fancy army life.

Koko:  Ha! scorned!  I know what brings it to this pass.  That stupid Marquis—­he of Carabas.  False girl, beware!  You’ll find, ere years have rolled, That honest steel is better far than gold.  Farewell! (Exit tragically.)

  Arabella:  Good-by!  Drop in some night for tea.
(She stands L. of box, musing.)
  I wonder what an “honest steal” can be! 
  Perhaps he’ll soon return to make it clear. 
  I hope he does; it’s awful lonely here.

(Jack springs up in the box, holding his gilded club in his right hand.  With his left he seizes Arabella by the hair.)