[The Wish-Bird flies away.]

LAZY KATE

SCENE I

TIME:  early in the morning.
PLACE:  Kate’s bedroom.

* * * * *

KATE. 
MOTHER. 
BED.

* * * * *

[KATE is in bed.  Her MOTHER comes.]

MOTHER.  Kate, Kate, get up!

KATE.  By and by, mother.

MOTHER.  It is time to go to school.  Get up!

KATE.  By and by, mother, by and by.

MOTHER.  You will be late to school, I fear.

[The Mother goes.]

BED. Dear me!  Dear me!  Kate will not get up.  Well, she shall not be late to school.  I will see to that.

[The Bed walks from the room into the street.  Kate is frightened.]

KATE.  Bed, Bed, where are you going?

BED. To school, you lazy child.

SCENE II

TIME:  five minutes later.
PLACE:  the schoolroom.

* * * * *

KATE. 
TEACHER. 
BED.
BOYS AND GIRLS.

* * * * *

[The BED enters the schoolroom.  Kate tries to hide under the covers.]

BED. Good-morning, teacher.  Here is lazy Kate.

TEACHER.  Ha, ha, ha!

BED. Good-morning, boys.  Here is lazy Kate.

BOYS.  Ha, ha, ha!

BED. Good-morning, girls.  Here is lazy Kate.

GIRLS.  Ha, ha, ha!

KATE.  Take me home, Bed!  Please take me home!

BED. Will you get up early?

KATE.  O yes, yes, yes!

BED. Every morning?

KATE.  Every morning, Bed!  Every morning!

[Illustration:  “GOOD-MORNING, TEACHER.  HERE IS LAZY KATE”]

BED. Then I will take you home.  Good-by, teacher!

TEACHER.  Ha, ha, ha!

BED. Good-by, children!

CHILDREN.  Ha, ha, ha!

[The Bed goes with Kate, who still tries to hide under the covers.]

SCENE III

TIME:  two minutes later.
PLACE:  Kate’s bedroom.

* * * * *

KATE. 
MOTHER.

* * * * *

[KATE is asleep.  Her MOTHER comes.]

MOTHER.  Kate, Kate!  You are asleep again!  Get up and go to school!

KATE.  I have been to school.

MOTHER.  What is this?

KATE.  I have been to school.  The Bed took me.

MOTHER.  You have been dreaming, child.

KATE.  No, no!  The Bed took me to school.  The children laughed at me.

MOTHER.  It was a dream, my dear.

KATE.  Well, I promised the Bed to get up early.  I know that was not a dream.