Mother monologue (Act 6) — Christmas Candles: Plays for Boys and Girls

Dolly, you'd be surprised if you knew how badly I'm feeling! I think I've been a very stupid, unrealizing sort of a mother, not to plan something to make the children have a really _merry_ Christmas, as well as a happy one. It would have been so easy to have a little party of children here. Oh, Dolly, you know all about it better than I do myself, for didn't I just hear Dot confiding in you, and whispering in this little ear under your curls how she wished you were a real live sister to play with her? Now you see how I feel! Don't you see that if she had a hundred dolls, of wax or china or rags, she would still have a stupid Christmas? I haven't a doubt that you mean well, and you do fill a very large corner in a little girl's heart--I haven't got over my fondness for your race yet. [_Kisses the doll's curls._] But you certainly are a trifle obstinate about responding to friendly advances. Poor children, it's so easy to give you pleasure! [_Lets doll fall in her lap._] I might have had a nice, jolly, little ... well, it's too late now. [_Sighs, then looks at her watch._] No! I don't believe it is, after all. I still have time to go for little Jerry Gray and his sister. They are just the ones! The children love surprises so. I'll hurry----