5 3507 E542 55 321 apy 1 THE FOREST RING A PLAY IN THREE ACTS By WILLIAM C. deMILLE and CHARLES BARNARD Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/forestringplayinOOdemi THE FOREST RING A PLAY IN THREE ACTS By WILLIAM C. deMILLE and CHARLES BARNARD THE FOREST RING CHARACTERS Fairies Arbutus, a poor but honest Fairy Queen Moss Bud, her daughter Peach Bloom, the Queen* s attendant Mouse Ear, The Queen's attendant Quicksilver, a fairy messenger-boy Animals Ursa, a bear Antlers, a deer White Face, a fox Blinkers, an owl Human Beings Jane Adams, a New York girl spending her vacation in the Adirondacks Aunt Sabrina Watson, a widow Thomas, her son Hank Struble, trapper and pot-hunter. In love with Aunt Sabrina ©CI.D 5 91 18 1 4 1921 Copyright, 1921, by William C de Mille and Charles Barnard. No performance of "The Forest Ring" (amateur or professional) may be given without the written permission of the author, who may be addressed care of the publishers, Little, Brown & Company, Boston. THE FOREST RING ACT I Scene. A Fairy Ring in the forest, by moonlight. Soft music, imitating sounds of crickets, tree-toads, and katydids. The Ring marked by an arc of a circle of light. Moonlight through foliage. Music through first scene. Hollow tree up left. Curtain discovers Arbutus asleep, with Peach Bloom and Mouse Ear asleep at her feet Mouse Ear wakes up, looks about and falls asleep again. Peach Bloom wakes and listens, and then wakes Mouse Ear. peach bloom (to Mouse Ear). Hark! What distant sound is that I hear? It cannot be a stranger ventures near! Wake, sister, for our vigil must not cease — mouse ear (sleepily). 'Tis nothing. Can't you let me sleep in peace? PEACH BLOOM. Wake up! I fancied that I something heard. mouse ear (drowsily). 'Twas but the drowsy summer wind that stirred. PEACH BLOOM. I'm sure I heard a footstep in the dell. MOUSE EAR. 'Tis but the tinkle of some cowslip's bell. PEACH BLOOM. Ah, well — the night sounds always seem quite new; (Music stops) It must have been a wood-sprite in the — in the What rhymes with new, Mouse Ear? 476 A Treasury of Plays for Children mouse ear (yawns). Oh, I don't know! What's the use of talking in verse, anyhow? These modern folks have knocked all the poetry out of our business, and I'm going to use everyday prose after this. Why, they even say there are no fairies. peach bloom. Hush! Don't Itet Arbutus hear you say that. mouse ear. Why not? Everybody knows it. peach bloom. Yes, I know. But, for the last seventy-five or eighty years, she has been worrying herself sick because people don't believe in us. It was bad enough when grown- ups forgot us, but now even children do not believe in fairies. mouse ear. Well, what can we do? Modern folks won't be- lieve in us until they've seen us. And you know it's against the fairy law for us to show ourselves to anyone who doesn't believe in us, — isn't it? peach bloom. Ah, times have changed since the good old days before Jack's bean-stalk withered away! mouse ear. Yes, — then we used to get our salary every ten or fifteen years, but now it's only paid by the century! peach bloom. Yes, and it hasn't been paid at all since the day St. George killed the dragon. [Both sigh. mouse ear. Poor Queen, — she tries so hard to make both ends meet. peach bloom. Hush, what's that? mouse ear. There's something coming through the glade peach bloom. I knew I heard something. [Both rise and cross to left of stage. mouse ear (looking off). It looks like a fairy peach bloom. It is a fairy. mouse ear. Why — it's Moss Bud ! peach bloom. It can't be; — she's at boarding-school. mouse ear. It is, though. Let's go and meet her peach bloom (detaining her). We mustn't leave the Queen. both (calling softly). Moss Bud! Moss Bud! [Enter Moss Bud, running lightly across the stage; she em- braces Peach Bloom and Mouse Ear. The Forest Ring 477 moss bud. Peach Bloom — Mouse Ear! Oh, how good it is to be home again! Where's mamma? mouse ear. There. But Her Majesty gave express orders that she was not to be awakened until Quicksilver returned. moss bud. Why, where has he gone? peach bloom. Arbutus sent him out with orders not to come back until he had found some man, woman or child who be- lieves in fairies. moss bud. Poor mamma — the same old trouble mouse ear. But tell us, why are you home from school? moss bud. Why, don't you know? This is my birth-night and I'm fifty thousand years old! peach bloom. So it is. My ! you're getting to be quite a big girl. It's too bad the others are not here. moss bud. Why, where are the others? mouse ear {confidentially). They're all boarding at the seaside for the summer. You see, business is so bad just now that Her Majesty couldn't afford to open her summer palace at Coral Reef, so she's staying quietly at home, with nobody to attend her but Peach Bloom, Quicksilver and me. moss bud. I suppose Quicksilver is getting to be quite a big boy now. peach bloom. Yes, but he never had to work so hard before. He only got the position of fairy messenger, because his uncle, Mercury, was the messenger of the gods. His "Uncle Merc" left him his winged shoes, but the careless boy lost one of them in the haunted pool, and whenever he tries to use the other he goes round and round in a circle! [They laugh. peach bloom. Here they come. [Enter Arbutus. arbutus {waking up) . Peach Bloom, Mouse Ear peach bloom and mouse ear {crossing to her). Yes, your Majesty. arbutus. Has Quicksilver returned yet? mouse ear. No, your Majesty — but somebody else has. arbutus. Who? What do you mean? 478 A Treasury of Plays for Children moss bud (coming forward). Don't you know me, Mamma? arbutus. Why, Moss Bud! My darling child, how you have grown! I've been so worried over business trouble, that I quite forgot you were coming back to-night. (Embracing her) Welcome home again. I have sent for you in order to talk over serious matters. (Moss Bud makes a face) To begin with, how would you like to leave school for good? moss bud. Oh, Mamma, may I really? I'm so tired of being a school sprite, and I do want to be a real grown-up fairy. arbutus. Well, my dear, you shall be! This is your birth- night, and, although you are only fifty thousand years old and have not yet outgrown your girlish ways, still I have decided to admit you to full-fledged fairyhood — and teach you all the fairy duties. But I do not conceal from you that this doesn't mean as much as it once did. The fairy busi- ness is on the wane. In fact, we couldn't even make you a birthday cake because we couldn't afford to buy fifty thou- sand candles. moss bud. Never mind, Mamma. If the mortals do not be- lieve in us, we can at least believe in ourselves. arbutus. True, my child, but I'm getting disgusted with mortals. We fairies are helpless unless children have faith in us, and now all our hard work is in vain because the wise child of to-day, with all his learning, can't see us all around him! But it's got to stop! If Quicksilver is successful this time, I shall retire from the fairy business, and, as yon will succeed me on the throne, you shall learn, to-night, the use of the magic fairy wand, and the secret of the Ring. Peach Bloom, get my wand out of the camphor chest. It's been so long since I used it I've almost forgotten how. (Peach Bloom brings out wand and polishes it The wand glows with electrical effects when Arbutus uses it) Come, my daughter, give me your last kiss as a sprite — before you become a fairy ! [Moss Bud kisses her and kneels, with Peach Bloom on one side and Mouse Ear on the other. Arbutus raises the wand over her in speaking the following, to soft music. The Forest Ring 479 Hear now, my child, that secret which, of old, We guarded well, and which is never told Without consent of Fairy Queen or King — Hear now the secret of the Forest Ring. Fairy of man, who knows the secret rare, Can see all creatures of the earth and air, Each as he is; and not as he appears To those who have not fairy eyes and ears. For every creature is a human thing Who, when he is outside the magic Ring, Is forced to wear the shape of beast or bird, And cannot speak a single human word. But every creature who shall make his way Into the Ring, before the dawn of day Is able, by the circle's magic powers, To wear his human shape a few short hours. Within the Forest Ring all quarrels cease — For all who enter it must be at peace Among themselves, and every living thing Is safe, when once within the Forest Ring. Take now this secret, Moss Bud, and beware Lest any undeserving mortal dare To steal it from you: For I bid you stand A sprite no more — but Princess of our band. {Arbutus raises Moss Bud, and gives wand to Peach Bloom. To the others) Salute your Princess. {Peach Bloom and Mouse Ear kneel and kiss Moss Bud's hand) Now, my child, do you understand the secret? moss bud. I think so. You mean that when wild animals come into the Ring, they look and talk just like human beings? arbutus. Yes, or rather that in the Ring they wear their true shapes, which are human. [Music stops. 480 A Treasury of Plays for Children mouse ear (looking off). Your Majesty, three wild creatures are approaching the Ring. arbutus. Can you see who they are? peach bloom. Yes — Antlers, White Face, and Blinkers. arbutus (to Moss Bud) . Now, my child, you shall see how the magic power of the Ring transforms all creatures into then- true selves. [Enter, at back, Antlers, White Face, and Blinkers. They ap- pear as men, each wearing around him the skin of the animal he represents* They cross and bow to the Queen. antlers (roughly). Arbutus, we come for justice! white face (putting him aside). One moment, my dear friends. Good evening, your Majesty. May I hope your Majesty is as well as your Majesty's appearance is charming? blinkers (stands and nods sleepily and wisely) . Urn — Urn arbutus. Be welcome, friends. How can I help you? antlers. We refuse to submit any longer to white face (stopping him). My very dear fellow — let me explain. Your Majesty, we have the honour to be a com- mittee from the wild creatures of the forest, and we are sent to ask you to help us against a trapper who is violating the forest law by killing more than he can use! Things have come to such a pass, your Majesty, that we cannot leave our homes, to find food for our children, without great danger that, when we return, we will find the dead bodies of our little ones — which the unbeastly monster has skinned and thrown away antlers. It's worse than unbeastly — it's positively human ! We won't stand it, Arbutus ! We insist white face (stopping him) . Please — please (To A rbutus) We can understand, your Majesty, that a man must kill to eat; nd, since he has such a useless skin of his own, that he should desire to keep out the cold with one of ours. But this trapper takes the skins of our little ones, and sends them away blinkers (waking up) . And feathers — feathers — and tails — and heads of little owls — Ugh ! [Dozes again. The Forest Ring 481 antlers. We want to kill him. It's his life or ours ! We want you to tell us how to white face (soothing him). All right, all right And so, your Majesty, the wild creatures thought that perhaps you could suggest some way of causing these outrages to stop before we are all killed. arbutus. My poor friends, I have often wondered how I could help you. Have any of you thought of a plan of action? antlers. Yes! Only let me meet him, when he has left his gun at home, and I promise you there will be no more trouble white face. Yes, but he is never without his gun. Now, I think that some nice, gentlemanly way would be much better — something without noise or bloodshed — such as putting poison in his well or arbutus. No, no, fairies can have nothing to do with any such action. What do you say, Blinkers, — you, the wisest of all birds? blinkers (waking up) . Eh — oh — I think — if you want to stop it — it must be stopped — by — by — stopping it — then it will stop moss bud. Oh, Mamma, I know. Let me use the magic wand and enchant the bad trapper. arbutus. No, my child, it would be useless moss bud. Why? arbutus. Because, in order that the wand may have magic power when used in human affairs, it can only be used at the request of some child who believes in fairies. "This is one of those cases in which nothing can be done until such a child is found. antlers. A good child who believes in fairies. Well, that settles us — there's no such thing as a good child ! moss bud. Oh, yes, there must be. Quicksilver will surely find one to-night. peach bloom (who has been watching). Your Majesty, there is a man coming towards the Ring. 482 A Treasury of Plays for Children all. A man ! blinkers (frightened). A man — well — very sorry — good- night. [Starts to go. arbutus. Wait, Blinkers — everyone is safe in the Ring. Hide among the trees until we see who it is. It may be some one who believes in fairies. [Animals and Fairies hide. Enter Hank Struble, the trapper, armed with a gun, a huge hunting-knife in his belt. He steals up to the cave and looks in cautiously. Examines the ground in front of the cave. hank (looking at tracks). By mighty! If this ain't the iden- tical cave where I bagged them three cubs this mornin' ! The old bar hain't come back yet — eh? Waal, I guess I might 's well wait here for her, an' make a clean job of the whole family. Lemme see, ef I git five dollars apiece for the cubs' skins, the ole bar's ought to fetch ten. How Sabriny will stare when I give her twenty-five dollars fur a weddin' pres- ent! I guess things is all fixed at last. Sabriny said to come 'round to-morrow mornin', an' if she hadn't changed her mind by then I could tell folks we was engaged. (Set- ting himself down on the ground with gun ready to fire) I hope them 'air cubs won't keep Sabriny awake all night. They did make a powerful squealin' when I locked 'em up in her cellar; the'r safe enough though, unless they can break that air newfangled Yale lock. Lemme see, where'd I put that key? (Feeling in his pockets) Oh, here it is — that letter from New York offerin' me five dollars fur every cub skin I could git. Just come in handy. Feller writ that he wants to make 'em inter floor-mats — cover the bare spots in the settin'-room carpet, I s'pose. (Laughs) Don't that beat all — (Shivers) By mighty, nights is getting consider- able chilly; must be past midnight — (Yawns) I'll just lie down a spell. 'Ef the old bar comes back, I guess I kin hear her in time to shoot — (Yawns) Ain't it queer how the woods make a feller feel — sorter drowsy — (Nods) Cur'us how the pine trees are whisperin' The Forest Ring 483 together 's if they was talkin' in their sleep — sounds just like ... [Falls asleep, with the upper part of his body in the Ring. Animals and Fairies come down. antlers (creeps up and looks carefully at Hank). That's the man, — I'd know him anywhere. Now, I've got him just where I want him ! (Advances threateningly). I'll just stamp his life out before arbutus. Stop, Antlers. Don't you see he is in the Ring? You dare not touch him! white face. But, your Majesty, he's only half in the Ring! Couldn't we kill the outside half? arbutus. No, the law of the Ring cannot be broken. antlers. But did you hear what he said? He's stolen Ursa's children, and now he's waiting here to shoot Ursa. It will be some comfort to her, when she finds her babies gone, if I give her the body of the man who stole them. arbutus. Ursa mustn't find him here; she would attack him as soon as he left the Ring, and he would kill her. moss bud. Oh, Mamma, I know how to get him away. Let's give him a dream! arbutus. A very good idea. See what dreams there are in the dreamery. moss bud (goes to hollow tree and calls down through knot-hole). Hello! Down there in the dreamery, have you any good strong dreams on hand? (Puts ear to knot-hole) Yes — there is a fresh batch of plum pudding dreams just in from the factory. (Through the knot-hole) Just send up the strongest you've got, please. (Takes a small paper parcel out of the knot-hole) Here it is, Mamma, — Number 13A. arbutus. Well, Moss Bud, see if you can use it without a mistake. [Moss Bud takes package and opens it; sprinkles imaginary contents over Hank, and makes mystic signs over him. All watch him intently. Hank begins to groan and toss. Animals are delighted. His symptoms get worse, until, with a cry, he wakes up, grasps his gun and rushes off. Fairies laugh. 484 A Treasury of Plays for Children antlers. I shall never have another chance like that! white face. I still think the law of the Ring might have been stretched a little. blinkers (waking up). Eh? Umph? What was stretched? [Goes to sleep again. moss bud. Oh, Mamma, here comes poor Ursa; she doesn't know yet that her babies are gone. arbutus. Well, I can do nothing until I find a child who believes in us. [Ursa, the bear, enters, and goes up to cave. She appears as a bear, and exits into cave. All watch mouth of cave. A growl- ing is heard. antlers. She's discovered her loss! [Enter Ursa from the cave, as a bear. She rushes behind rock, through which the Ring passes, and reappears in the Ring as a strong young woman, with a bearskin wrapped around her. She is in great distress and rushes over to Arbutus. ursa. Arbutus — my babies — where are they? (Arbutus is silent) Where are they, I say? (Turning to others) Are you all dumb? Where are they? white face. Why, perhaps they've just strayed off and been lost; we can antlers (interrupting). No, White Face, this is a time for the truth — (To Ursa) Where are they? Where are all our children? Where are Blinkers' four little ones? Where are the two sons of White Face? Where is my little fawn? Come here, — do you see those tracks? ursa. A man! antlers. . When you see the footprints of a man, need you ask where your children are? ursa. No, no! Not that — Arbutus arbutus. Ursa, you are only one of many weeping forest mothers. ursa. My babies, my little babies! Why have they robbed me? I never hurt a man antlers. Because they kill for the love of killing! What The Forest Ring 485 matters it to them if every shot leaves a vacant place in cave or tree; they must have their "sport." ursa. Very well, then I shall kill for the love of killing. As he has treated my children, so I will treat his. Hundreds of times have I found his young ones in the woods, and passed them unnoticed. But, from this time on, let him beware how he sends them into the forest. My babies killed moss bud (crossing to comfort her). No, Ursa, they're not killed. ursa. How do you know? moss bud. The wicked trapper came here to shoot you, and we heard him say that your babies were locked up there. ursa (to the animals). The man was here, and you let him go alive? Antlers, White Face, is this the brotherhood of the forest? antlers. We could do nothing. He was in the Ring. ursa. Then, if they are still alive, we may rescue them — but how? Blinkers, you are wise, — tell me how to save my little ones! blinkers (waking up). What? Eh? Oh, yes — it must be stopped. I told Arbutus how, — ask her. [Goes to sleep again. ursa (to Arbutus). Will you use your magic power to help my babies? arbutus. Alas! Unless Quicksilver brings me the news I wish, I can do nothing. [Ursa is in despair; Moss Bud comforts her. quicksilver (outside). Halloo! Halloo! Make way for Quicksilver, the messenger of the Fairy Queen. [All listen attentively. arbutus. At last ! moss bud. Oh, I'm sure he brings good news ! arbutus. I'm almost afraid to ask. Hurry up, hurry up! (All show their impatience. Enter Quicksilver; slowly saun- tering across the stage, he deliberately kneels before Arbutus) Well, get up — get up — what news? all. Yes, what news? quicksilver (drawling). News? Oh, yes. The Queen of 486 A Treasury of Plays for Children Cobweb Ring told me to tell you that she has found a girl who believes in fairies. [All overjoyed. arbutus. Thank Heaven! I am no longer powerless! Who is she? Where does she live? quicksilver. Who? Where? (Feels in his clothes) Now, I had the name and address written on a maple leaf, but I stopped to play with some tadpoles, and I declare I must have lost it! [All collapse. Exit Quicksilver. arbutus. Oh, Heavens, — that boy will drive me wild! Moss Bud, ring up Cobweb. Ring on the grape-vine telephone. moss bud (takes a flower hanging from a vine and uses it as a telephone). Hello, Central. Give me one — four — three — Pine. Hello — that Cobweb Ring? Yes, what? Oh! Just got back to-night. Thanks. Arbutus wants the name of the girl who believes in fairies. What? Yes, but he lost it. What? All right. Cloverdale Farm? Yes, all right, — good-bye. — The Queen says that the girl is named Jane Adams, and a mosquito messenger reports that he has just left her asleep in her room at Cloverdale Farm, but that the window is wide open. arbutus. Now, Moss Bud, you may see what you can do with the magic wand. (Peach Bloom brings it) Take it and bring the child here without waking her. moss bud (waving wand). Bed at Cloverdale Farm — rise slowly and float out of the window — down through the front yard — up the path to the woods. Look out! gracious, it almost ran into a big pine tree! Come through the forest carefully — through the glade to the Forest Ring — enter the Ring — stop [As Moss Bud speaks the last words, enter a single bed y with Jane Adams asleep on it, her clothes hanging over the end. ursa. A human child! [Advances threateningly. arbutus. Ursa, you are in the Ring. Besides, on this child you must place all hope of getting back your children. (Looks The Forest Ring 487 at Jane) Ah, child, it has been years since I could appear to a human being. Come, Moss Bud, waken her. blinkers. Eh — Wake — Who? [Others hurry him up stage as he dozes again. Moss Bud whispers to Arbutus. arbutus. True — I forgot. (Moss Bud waves her wand over Jane and her clothes fly off end of bed and disappear under the bed clothes) Now waken her. [Arbutus looks tenderly at Jane as Moss Bud waves wand and Jane wakens. Animals retire and Fairies regard Jane. jane (waking). My, how fresh the air is! Hello! Where's the ceiling? Why, I'm in the woods! I must have been walking in my sleep. No, sleep-walkers don't carry their beds with them. Goodness, when Aunt Sabrina finds out that I've taken this bed off into the woods she'll [Sees Moss Bud and stops, astonished. moss bud. Don't be frightened, Jane — you are quite safe with us. jane. Oh, I wasn't frightened; only, I would like to know where I am and who you are! moss bud. My name is Moss Bud, and I am a fairy princess. (Rather proudly) I brought you here by magic. jane. Oh, goody! Are you a real live fairy and not only a dream? Can I really touch you and not wake up? moss bud. Yes, indeed. Take my hand and I will present you to mamma; she's the Fairy Queen. jane. Wait a minute — I can't get up — I'm not — (Seeing her clothes) Yes, I am, too — well, if that isn't the funniest thing! moss bud. That's magic too — (Jane takes her hand and rises) Mamma, this is Jane Adams, the girl we have been waiting for. arbutus. Welcome, my child. I have been expecting you for a very long time. Tell me yourself — do you really be- lieve in fairies? jane. Why, of course I do! But I didn't think they were like this. Why, you're lots nicer than I expected! No, I 488 A Treasury of Plays for Children don't mean that. I mean you're almost as nice as regular girls [Enter Quicksilver. quicksilver. I've got it, your Majesty — the girl's name is Jane Adams — and she lives at mouse ear. Be careful, Quixy — if you work so hard in this hot weather, you'll get moonstroke jane. Who is that, Moss Bud? moss bud. That is Quicksilver, our messenger; there are Peach Bloom and Mouse Ear — the rest of the girls are away for the summer. jane. Why, this must be a Fairy Ring — like the one I read about in my fairy stories ! moss bud. Yes, it is. But do you know the secret of the Forest Ring? jane. You mean about the animals not being really animals but having feelings like ours? Oh, yes. arbutus. Then, Jane, I may tell you why you were brought here to-night. (Beckons to Ursa) This is Ursa, a mother bear, who has just been robbed of her little ones. jane. Oh, I'm so sorry! But wait, were they three little brown cubs? ursa. Cubs! Cubs! My children were three as well be- loved babies as a mother could wish for. jane. Oh, excuse me — but I know where they are! ursa. You do? Are they safe? jane. Yes, — but I'm afraid they're very hungry — they haven't had anything to eat since Hank brought them home. ursa. Oh! — But can we get at them? jane. Why, they're locked in the cellar of Aunt Sabrina's house. There's only one door to it, and Hank carries the key to it in his pocket. ursa. Take me to them; if it's only breaking a door in jane. Oh, but you couldn't! Hank would shoot you before you could do anything, and, besides, the door is too strong. The Forest Ring 489 moss bud. We could open the door by magic. jane. But Hank would follow the tracks and shoot the cu — the children. arbutus. Well, we must do something before long jane. I know what — (To Ursa) Can you dance? ursa. Dance? Dance like a trained bear? jane. That's all very well, Ursa, but if you want to save your babies you can't be so very particular. ursa. You are right — I'm sorry — go on jane. Well, then, can you dance? ursa. To get back my babies I can do anything. jane. Very well. Now listen. You come back to the house with me, and let me put a chain and collar on you. (Ursa starts up indignantly and then subsides) Then, when anybody sees us, you can dance, and I'll say you are my tame bear; then, when no one is looking, we can get the key — some- how — and I'll unlock the cellar door — and when we get to the edge of the woods, I'll take off the chain, and you and the little ones can run home to your cave. ursa. Yes, we could do that. I'll be a trained bear for you — but if anyone else dares to touch the chain I'll jane. Now, look here! If I'm going to help you out in this, you've got to do just as I say. Will you promise? ursa. Well, but — yes — yes, I promise ! jane. Well, then, remember this — that, whatever happens, you must not hurt a single man, woman or child. ursa. But, if they hurt my babies, I'll arbutus. You must promise, Ursa, or we cannot help you. ursa. Well, then — I promise. jane. All right. I'll take you back with me to-night, and you can stay in my room. arbutus. My dear, you're a child after the fairy heart. [Ursa talks aside with Peach Bloom and Mouse Ear. jane (to Arbutus). Now, your Majesty, do you think it is safe for me to take this bear among people? I really don't know her. arbutus. Well, my child, I know she is good and kind in the 490 A Treasury of Plays for Children forest, but I am afraid that if a naughty boy should begin teasing her she might forget her promise. jane. Couldn't you send a fairy along to prevent any trouble? arbutus. Yes, I can send Peach Bloom with the magic wand; she would see that you came to no harm. moss bud. Oh, Mamma, do let me go — I would be just as careful! See how safely I brought the bed here. arbutus. Oh, my dear, I'm afraid you haven't had experience enough. Remember, you're only fifty thousand years old ! moss bud. Oh, but I know I can do it, and I like Jane so much! I want to help her save the little bears. jane. Yes, your Majesty — I'm sure we could get along all right. arbutus. Well, as this is your birth-night, I suppose I must consent. But here, take this little book — "Every Man His Own Fairy" — and if you get into any trouble, you will find all the fairy rules and charms in it. Here is the wand, Moss Bud, — be very careful of it and don't use it unless you have to. Now, Ursa, remember your promise. antlers (coming down). It's nearly dawn. We must be off. (To Ursa) Good-bye, sister, and good luck. white face. Let me wish you every success in your under- taking. blinkers. What? Eh? Going away? Well, take care of yourself. moss bud. Come on, Jane and Ursa. [They get on the bed. arbutus. Good-bye, Jane. You are going on a dangerous er- rand of mercy, and I wish you fairy good fortune. jane. Good-bye, your Majesty, I'm sure we'll succeed. Good-bye all. [Bed starts to move. The moon goes under a cloud, and the stage becomes dark. all. Good-bye ! — Gook luck ! — Good-bye ! [Their voices are heard getting fainter and fainter. Lights up gradually on empty stage. Sunrise. Fairy music. curtain The Forest Ring 491 ACT II Scene. The front yard before Aunt Sabrina Watson's house, with view of porch and front door. Over the door is a second- story window, open. At left of house door is a cellar door leading to cellar under house. This door is closed and locked with a Yale lock. Old-fashioned sweep well and bucket. Time. Early morning. Curtain music, Grieg's Morgenstim- mung. Curtain rises on empty stage. A pause. Enter Thomas from house, with a book in one hand, which he is eagerly reading, and a water bucket in the other. He puts bucket under well spout, and reads. thomas {reading). "Takin' careful aim, Buckskin Bill, the boy- bear hunter, pulled the trigger, and with a deafenin' report the tremenjus animile fell over on its side and expired." Gosh! Ain't that jest great, though! sabrina {outside) . Thoma-as ! Thoma-as ! ! thomas. Yes'm — I'm comin'. {He draws a bucket of water and starts reading again) "Suddenly the bushes parted, and with noiseless tread his old enemy, the injun, stood before him." {Looking up) Geemunny! {Reading eagerly) "Throwing aside his now useless weepon, Buckskin grasped his trusty knife, an' lookin' the Chief right in the eyes said " sabrina {outside). Land sakes, Thomas! — air you waitin' to dig a new well out there? {Enter Aunt Sabrina from house) Didn't I tell you I was waitin' for that water to make the tea for breakfast? Well, if that shiftless boy ain't reading again ! Mighty souls, I guess if I want anything done around here I might's well make up my mind to do it myself. {Thomas, absorbed in book, does not notice her. She comes angrily and takes bucket) Why, what on airth's the boy readin'? Thomas! {Thomas starts and tries to hide the book) Thomas — where'd you get that book? thomas. Why — one of them city fellers give it to me. It's all about bars and things, and it's a sight more interestin' 492 A Treasury of Plays for Children than that "Pilgrim Progress" you gave me last Christmus. Say, Ma, I want to be a bar hunter. sabrina. Humph, you'd better learn how to do your chores right before you start out to shoot wild critters — (Turning toward house) Ain't that Jane Adams come down yet? thomas. No'm, I hain't see her. sabrina (calls up to window). Jane — Jane! — (No answer) It does beat all how them city folks can lie abed and sleep mornings. thomas. Say, Ma, kin — kin I go out with Hank to-morrow? I jest know I kin shoot a bar. sabrina. Humph ! — that's what comes of readin' them good- for-nothin' city books; — these bar stories is all foolishness anyhow. There used to be quite some bars round here, but since Hank's been gittin' after 'em they've got scurcer than lay-locks in January. I don't believe there's ben a bar within five miles o' this house in ten years. (Here the bears head appears at Jane's window and she listens with interest. They do not observe the bear) Hank did ketch three cubs yestiddy, and the next time he wants to use my cellar for a bar-pen he'll have to do a powerful lot of persuadin' ! thomas. Oh, Ma, won't you just let me have one peek at 'em? sabrina. You'll have to wait till Hank comes — he's got the key. (Smelling) Mighty souls, them pop-overs is burnin'. [Exit hurriedly with pail. Thomas, greatly excited, tries to look between the cracks of cellar door at cubs. thomas. If I could only see them as plain as I smell 'em! [Enter Hank at back with gun, etc. hank. Mornin', Thomas. Widder Watson to hum? thomas. Yep — she's gettin' breakfast. Say, Hank, won't you tell me how you ketched them cubs — an' lemme see 'em? hank. Tell you what I'll do, Thomas; if you'll tell your ma to come out here for a minute and then clear out fur a while yourself, I'll let you help me skin them cubs after breakfast! thomas. All right. (Starts to go) Say, Hank hank. What? thomas. What do you want me to clear out fur? The Forest Ring 493 hank. Why Go on, now; — don't ask questions an* mebbe I'll take you huntin' next week. {Thomas exits. Hank looks around and shudders) Ugh! By mighty, ef that warn't the all-powerfullest dream that ever war dreamt — it warn't fur from it. [Enter Sabrina. sabrina. Mornin', Mr. Struble. You're jest in time for break- fast. Why, mighty souls, man — you look as if you'd been used to harrer a field with! hank. Mornin', Sabriny — I ben out in the woods all night after the mother of them cubs. sabrina. Humph, you look more as if the mother o' them cubs had been after you. hank (shudders) . Sabriny — do you — do you b'leeve dreams ever come true? sabrina. They dew say that if you tell a dream before break- fast, it'll come true inside of a week. Why, have you been havin' a dream? hank. Sabriny — I didn't know there was dreams like I had last night! sabrina. What was it all about? hank. I ain't agoin' to tell you nothin' 'bout it till after breakfast. sabrina. Well, I didn't git a chance to dream none, if I'd a wanted to — wit?h them three cubs a celebratin' Fourth o' July and Thanksgivin' all night long! hank. I'm really sorry, Sabriny, if they bothered you any. Pappy White's comin' over to help me kill 'em this mornin'. But that dream o' mine was the dod beatenest dream sabrina. Well, you know I told you what'd happen if you eat that extry half-dozen doughnuts fer supper. hank. It wasn't a doughnut dream, Sabriny. Besides, your doughnuts couldn't give a feller a dream like that — not ef he sh'd eat a hundred of 'em. sabrina (very much pleased). Well, what do you s'pose 'twas? hank. I'll tell you, Sabriny; — I believe it was because I'd been worryin' so about your answer. (Sabrina starts away; 494 A Treasury of Plays for Children he catches her hand.) Don't go, Sabriny. You told me you'd let me know this mornin'. Jest say "yes", Sabriny, an' I'll thomas (entering suddenly). Say, Hank, can't I see them cubs now? sabrina (drawing her hand away quickly). Breakfast's jest about ready, Mr. Struble. You stay and have some with us [Exit into house. thomas. Can't I see them cubs now, Hank? hank. Thomas Watson, — I'd like ter send your skin to New York with them cubs ! thomas. But Hank, can't I see them cubs? hank. No — you can't ! (Bears head appears at window unnoticed by them) Them cubs is valuable. They're safe in that cellar now, and there they'll stay till I get good and ready to kill 'em. (Ursa excited) That's the beauty of them 'air Yale locks. Lemme see — Where'd I put that key — (Feels in his pocket) By mighty, I b'leeve I've lost it! — No, here it is. [Taking it out. thomas. Aw, Hank, lemme see them cubs! hank. No, sir. After the way you come in here just now, I won't let you see them cubs until they're all skinned. (At this Ursa, terribly excited, gives a loud growl and Hank, startled, drops the key on the ground. He does not notice it, but Thomas does, and puts his foot on it. Just as Hank, star- tled by the growl, looks up, the bear's head is quickly jerked back and Jane appears in the window and smiles at Hank. Pause) By mighty! jane. Good morning. hank. What on airth was that? jane. What? hank. Didn't you hear nothin'? jane. Why — I yawned — what did you think it was? hank, Nothin' — nothin' — (Aside) I b'leeve that dream has turned me stark, starin' crazy. The Forest Ring Act II. Thomas. — "I'd like to meet a real old soker, and cow him with my eye." The Forest Ring 495 sabrina (in house). Come in to breakfast. [Hank collects himself with a start and exits into house. Thomas picks up key and Jane sees him. Thomas looks after Hank. jane (to Ursa). Oh, Ursa, Thomas has got the key! It will be ever so much easier to get it from him than Hank ! — come [They disappear from window. thomas (looking after Hank). You won't let me see them cubs, eh? Well, then, I'll jest look at 'em anyhow. [He crosses to cellar door. sabrina (in house). Thomas thomas (startled) . Yes'm ! — I'll be right in. [Starts to unlock door as Jane and Moss Bud enter from house. Thomas hears them, starts guiltily, and stands with the key behind his back. jane. Look out, Moss Bud, he'll see you! moss bud. You forget; I'm invisible to all except you. jane. Oh, yes. What's the matter, Thomas — aren't you going to have any breakfast? (Thomas doesn't answer) What have you behind your back? thomas. Nothin'. jane. Oh, you can't fool me. I saw you pick that key up. thomas. You ain't goin' to be a tattletale, are you? jane. Not if you'll let me see what's in the cellar. thomas. What! You look in that cellar — why, there's bars in there! They'd frighten a girl most to death. jane. Aren't you afraid of bears? thomas. Who, — me? No, I've been readin' all about Buck- skin Bill, the boy bar hunter, and I know that if you jest look a bar right in the eyes steady — he can't do nothin' to yer. jane. I'll try not to be frightened. Do let me see the little bears ! thomas. Naw. Girls ain't built to look at bars. If you was a hunter, now, like me — but you ain't. I only wish they was bigger. I'd like to meet a real old soker, and cow him with my eye — jest like Buckskin Bill — (He starts to un- 496 A Treasury of Plays for Children lock door. Jane beckons into house, and Ursa quickly comes and stands right behind Thomas. She stands on her hind legs, waving her paws) Gosh! These locks is pesky things to undo ! Yes-sirree, if I could only meet a real big bar I'd [Here he catches sight of Ursa. He begins to tremble, and finally, with a yell, rushes off, leaving the key. The others show delight and amusement. Moss Bud picks up key. jane. Thank Heaven, we've got it! Here, Moss Bud, give it to me. Fairies don't know how to open Yale locks. (She takes key) Now, you look out and see if anyone comes, and we'll have these little bears safe at home before Hank's through breakfast. [Jane starts to unlock door. Ursa tries to help her. moss bud. Look out, Jane! Somebody's coming! jane. Quick — get Ursa out of sight ! [Moss Bud leads Ursa behind house. sabrina (entering). I thought I heard you talkin' out here. Ain't you goin' to eat no breakfast? jane. Yes, Aunt Sabrina — I'll be in there in a minute. sabrina. Your tea'll be stone cold. Where's Thomas? jane. Why, he went out toward the barn a minute ago. sabrina. Well, this is the first time since Thomas was born that he hain't been here at meal-time. What on airth's the matter with you, child? You stand there fidgetin' around like a chipmunk in a trap. What have you got in your hand there? jane (opening her left hand). Nothing, Aunt Sabrina. sabrina. Jane, you've been doin' somethin' you ought not to ! Open your other hand. (Jane does so slowly, and the key falls out) What's that? jane. Why — it looks like a key. sabrina (picking up key). Jane Adams, it's the key to that cellar door. How did you get it? jane. It — it was lying on the ground there, and I picked it up. sabrina. Why, child alive, that cellar's full of wild growlin' bars; I s'pose that careless Hank lost the key out of his The Forest Ring 497 pocket. I'll jest keep it for a while to give him a lesson. Come in to breakfast. [Exit into house. Enter Moss Bud and Ursa. moss bud. What's the matter, Jane? jane. Oh, Moss Bud, Aunt Sabrina's got the key now, and I know we can never get it from her! (Ursa is in despair, and the. others comfort her) Don't cry, Ursa. We'll get your babies out somehow. moss bud. You shouldn't have let the key go when you once had it! jane. Well, it won't help to tell me what I should have done; the question is, what's to be done now? moss bud. Well, there's only one thing I can see to do; — we must open the door by magic! [Bear brightens up. jane. That's so, we can! Where's your rule book, Moss Bud? moss bud. Here it is — let's see (Turning over pages) Ah, here we are — Rule No. 47 — "To open a locked door." jane. But wait a minute. Hank said he was going to kill the cubs right after breakfast — and he's almost through break- fast by this time — so that, if we take them out now, we won't have time to get them safely home before he follows their tracks and shoots them. moss bud. That's so — we must keep him here somehow. jane. I'll tell you what we can do. You put a magic spell on the door so that, after we have taken out the little bears, Hank will not be able to open the door — and won't know the cubs have gone moss bud. That's just fine! (Turning over pages) There must be a rule here that will answer. Yes — here it is — Rule No. 56 — "To prevent a door being opened by its own key." How will that do? jane. That's just the thing. Go ahead, we must be quick! moss bud (reading from book). "Oh, door, I hereby command you, in the name of Arbutus, to hear and obey this spell — (Makes mystic signs) Nek you roy nopo in eman sutubra." 498 A Treasury of Plays for Children Now, Jane, I've put spell No. 56 on the door, and I'd like to see Hank or anyone else open it with a key! jane. That's fine, Moss Bud. I want you to teach me that spell. But now, open the door by magic. moss bud. Oh, that's easy. Let's see, where was it — oh, yes — Rule No. 47 — "To open a locked door" (Makes more mystic signs) "Oh, door, I hereby command you, in the name of Arbutus, to hear and obey this spell, — Nopo ilkiok ta ecno. Open! " [Pause. Nothing happens. jane. What's the matter, — why doesn't it open? moss bud. I must have said a word wrong. I'll do it again (Mystic signs) "Oh, door, I hereby command you, in the name of Arbutus, to hear and obey this spell. Nopo ilkiok ta ecno. Open." (Pause. Nothing happens) Open, I say — — (Pause) Oh, Jane, I don't know what's the matter. It won't open. (Begins to cry) Mamma oughtn't to have put me in charge of this case. I'm too young. jane. Come — come — we haven't time to cry. Let me see the rule book. (Takes it) Oh, Moss Bud, did you put spell No. 56 on the door? moss bud (between sobs). Yes, of course, — Rule No. 56 — "To prevent a door being opened by its own key." jane. Well, now you've done it ! Look here, you should have put on spell No. 55. Number 56 is "To prevent a door being opened by anything except its own key." Oh dear, oh dear, even magic can't open it now! You should have opened the door first, and then put the other spell on. (Be- ginning to cry) You're only a poor, ignorant fairy, and you've ruined everything by your crazy magic! [Jane, Moss Bud and Ursa all weep together. thomas (outside). Hank — Hank! jane (drying her eyes). Good gracious! Here's Thomas back again; he'll get Hank and they'll shoot Ursa; — take care of her, Moss Bud. I must get the collar and chain from the barn. [Exits quickly. Enter Hank from house with gun. The Forest Ring 499 hank. By mighty, if there ain't a bar in the yard! [He advances and raises gun to shoot. Just as he is about to pull the trigger, Moss Bud pricks him in the leg with a thorn. He cries, "Ouch," and the gun goes off in the air. Ursa rises and prepares to show fight. Hank drops his gun and takes out his knife. Sabrina appears in doorway. sabrina. Mighty souls! Hank, look out, come in the house. Don't try to fight that bar with nothin' but a knife! [Hank and Ursa menace each other, when Jane enters quickly, with collar and chain, followed by Thomas. jane. Hank — Ursa — stop ! sabrina. Thomas — Jane — go to the barn ! Do you both want to be killed alive? jane (going to Ursa). Ursa, remember your promise [Ursa quiets down, and Jane puts collar on her. hank. By mighty! sabrina. Mighty souls ! thomas. Geemunny ! jane. Hank, I'm surprised at you. An old hunter like you not being able to tell the difference between a wild bear and a tame one! hank. A tame bar! jane. Certainly, I'll show you — (She whispers to Ursa) Now, do whatever I tell you — (Aloud) Ursa — lie down — (Ursa follows directions) Roll over — Get up — Speak — Dance with me [Music; dance between Jane, Ursa and Moss Bud. Exclama- tions of astonishment from the others. thomas. Ain't that jest great, though! Say, Jane, lemme hold the chain? sabrina. Thomas Watson, don't you dare go near that critter thomas. Aw — ma — jest lemme hold the chain ! jane. You see, she's perfectly gentle. hank. She didn't look it a couple of minutes ago. sabrina. There's somethin' powerful queer about this. How'd you happen to get hold of a tame bar? 500 A Treasury of Plays for Children thomas. Say, Ma — can't I jest hold the chain? sabrina. Thomas Watson [Thomas subsides. hank. Wa'al, I guess this must be quite a valuable bar. The best thing to do with it is to lock it up in the cellar, along with them cubs, and then sell it to the first circus that comes along. jane. But Hank, you can't sell my bear. sabrina. Your bar! Jane Adams, you didn't have that when you come up from New York. hank. Besides, it ain't safe fur little girls to play with bars. No — I'll jest lock it up in the cellar. Lemme see, — where'd I put the key? [Feels in his pocket. jane (to Moss Bud). Moss Bud — we must get that key, and this is our only chance ! [Whispers to her. hank. By mighty! I've lost it this time, sartin'! sabrina. I told you you'd lose it, carryin' it around loose in your pocket. (Producing it) Here it is; I was goin' to keep it awhile to teach you a lesson, but I guess you'd better lock up that bar! [Hank takes lock in his hand and puts out the other for the key, looking at lock. Sabrina hands it to him, but Moss Bud puts her hand over Hank's and takes key from Sabrina, unseen by all but Jane. Jane has led Ursa up back, and has allowed Thomas to hold the chain. hank. Wa'al, gimme the key, Sabriny sabrina. My lands, man ! I gave it to you once — you must have dropped it ! hank. I hain't never teched it, Sabriny. You must have dropped it yourself. sabrina. Hank Struble, do you mean to tell me that I don't know the difference between givin' you a key and droppin' it? hank. Sabriny Watson! don't you suppose I know the dif- ference between takin' a key and not takin' it? The Forest Ring 501 sabrina. Jane, come and help look for that key. [Jane is on one side of the well, and Moss Bud, during the foregoing, has come up delightedly and is just handing her the key across the well as Sabrina calls "Jane." Jane, startled, drops the key down the well and she and Moss Bud look blankly at each other. jane. All right, Aunt Sabrina. Oh, Moss Bud, the key's in the well, and we can never — never — get it out ! moss bud. We can try magic jane. No, thank you — we've tried that once too often now. [They pretend to search. sabrina. I tell you, Hank — you must have put the key in your pocket. hank. And I tell you, Sabriny, I hain't teched the blame key. sabrina. Well, in the meanwhile, what's going to happen to the (Seeing Thomas and Ursa) Thomas Watson ! [Thomas drops chain quickly. thomas. Aw, Ma, can't I jest hold the chain? (Sabrina starts toward him) All right, Ma, I won't — I only come up here to get a drink. [Thomas draws a bucket of water. hank. Sabriny Watson — I b'leeve you're hidin' that key! sabrina. Hank Struble — I tell you that — I felt you take that key jest as plain as I ever felt anything before in my life. hank. Now quit yer foolin', Sabriny. I felt your hand in mine, but there warn't no thin' in it. sabrina. Hank Struble, I tell you for the last time that [Here Thomas, who has been drinking at the well, coughs vio- lently and spits the key out. Everybody looks at everyone else. sabrina. Thomas Watson, how'd you get that key? thomas (frightened) . I don't know how I got the key — honest, Ma, I don't. hank. Wa'al, here it is anyhow — (Starts for the key. Jane and Moss Bud in despair when Ursa makes a rush and, facing Hank, sits on the key and refuses to move) Here, get off that key [Ursa waves her paw at him. 502 A Treasury of Plays for Children sabrina. Look out, Hank ! Jane, you make the critter move. jane. All right (Aside to Ursa) Sit still, Ursa (Aloud) Get up (Pushes her. Aside) Don't move, whatever you do. (Aloud) Get up — get up — ■ — (To others) It's no use, — she won't budge ! hank (picking up gun). She won't, eh? Wa'al, we'll see about that! Trained bars is all very well, but if they won't mind they ain't trained. Besides, I b'leeve that's the very bar I've been trackin' for two weeks — - she's smelt her cubs here and come after 'em. jane. Yes, it is the mother of those cubs; she's come all the way from her cave to find them and take them home again. Won't you let them go, Hank? hank. Let 'em go, after all the trouble I've had to get 'em? Why, do you s'pose I tracked them cubs a hull day jest to let 'em go again? Besides, how do you know she's the mother of them cubs? jane. I know it because she told me so. sabrina. Jane Adams, air you completely mad — or jest lyin'? jane. Oh, I suppose you won't believe me, but last night I went to the cave by the Forest Ring, and saw all the fairies and animals, and the Fairy Queen herself said she would help me give the little bears to their mother. thomas. Gee-mimny I hank. If you ever was near that cave, you might have had a dream like mine — about fairies and things, — but you don't suppose I'm goin' to lose a couple of hard days' work jest on account of a dream, do you? jane. But it wasn't a dream. I saw them as plainly as I see you — and besides, here's Ursa — to prove it — and Moss Bud. Moss Bud, can't you show yourself and tell them I'm right? moss bud. They haven't entered the Ring; they can't see me. sabrina. What on airth air you talkin' about? A Moss Bud — an' fairies ! jane. Can't you see her? Look — here [All look at Moss Bud and don't see her. The Forest Ring 503 sabrina. You've got a tech o' sun, wanderin' round the woods without a hat on; or else them story-books has turned your head. hank. Wa'al, I've got to go; I ain't agoin' to wait no longer fur that pesky critter to get up. If she ain't off that key when I git my gun loaded, I'll shoot her off it [Starts to load gun. sabrina. Thomas — come in here ! A wounded bar's a dan- gerous critter. thomas. Oh, Ma — I hain't seen the cubs yet ! [Sabrina and Thomas talk in pantomime. jane. Oh, Moss Bud, whatever shall we do? Everything has gone wrong, and if poor Ursa's killed it will be our fault! moss bud. Oh, I can't think of anything (Turning over pages of book quickly) There isn't a single rule here that will do any good. I wish I'd never come! [Begins to cry. jane. What's the use of magic if you can't use it when you really need it? You're only a cry-baby fairy! hank. Now, the gun's loaded — when I say three I'm goin' to shoot (Levels gun) One, two jane. Ursa, get off the key [Ursa does so, growling. Moss Bud restrains her. hank (lowers gun and picks up key). I kinder thought you could make her move if you'd a mind ter. (Crosses to cellar) I'll jest kill them cubs now, and then there won't be no more trouble. sabrina. Look out, Hank, — if the old bar sees her cubs she'll show fight. hank. Wa'al, by mighty, if she does, it's the last fight she'll ever show! [Pats his gun and starts to unlock door. moss bud. Oh, Jane, I can't hold Ursa back any longer [Hank is bending over the door; the bear rushes toward him. He seizes his gun to fire, but the bear, turning suddenly, catches up Thomas and holds him in front of her. sabrina. Hank — don't shoot — you'll hit Thomas! 504 A Treasury of Plays for Children jane (rushing up and seizing Ursa). Ursa, don't you dare hurt that boy — don't you dare hank. Keep quiet, Thomas; don't move, and she won't hug you. [Hank lowers his gun and Jane and the bear carry Thomas across stage. jane (keeping one hand on the bear). Aunt Sabrina, if you free her children, she'll let yours go. . sabrina. Unlock the door, Hank — quick hank. It'll only make her madder, Sabriny, to see her cubs now. jane. Very well. You can't expect a bear to know that it's all right for a man to steal her children, but wrong for her to steal his. sabrina. Hank! Hank, get my boy back for me! jane. You take care of the little bears and I'll take care of Thomas. [Jane, Ursa, carrying Thomas, and Moss Bud start to exeunt. As soon as Ursa turns her back to Hank, he levels gun, but Jane turns Ursa, who stands with Thomas, in front of her. Sabrina pulls Hank's gun down. Moss Bud points toward the Ring. curtain ACT III Scene. The Forest Ring as in Act I. Time. The next night, early evening. The sun has just set and, after the curtain rises, the stage is at first very dim with the red light of sunset, but gradually the moon rises and stage becomes light. Discovered. Arbutus, Peach Bloom, Mouse Ear and Quick- silver. Peach Bloom and Mouse Ear are looking off anxiously. Arbutus is seated, giving Quicksilver a lesson out of a book. He is standing before her. arbutus. No, Quicksilver, that's very bad indeed! I don't believe you've studied an atom. If you don't know your The Forest Ring 505 history any better than this one, you can't have any supper. quicksilver (beginning to cry) . I can't help it, your Majesty — I've been so excited about Jane and Ursa, that I didn't sleep a wink all day, and I just couldn't study the old lessons. arbutus (sternly) . Quicksilver ! Such language is only worthy of a human child! The idea of a fairy not knowing his les- sons! Give me the history. (Quicksilver gives her book, sulking). Now, who first used the expression, "Fi — fi, fo — fum"? quicksilver (hesitates and thinks). Fee — fi — fo — fum — Oh, I know. It was what Cinderella said when they told her she couldn't go to the ball. arbutus. You know perfectly well that's not right. Now, I'll give you one more chance. What was the first name of the Giant Killer? quicksilver (hesitates — the Queen looking at the book — and then he slowly bends one of his wings around, looks intently at the end, and speaks). Jack. arbutus (looking up and seeing his last action). Quicksilver — come here — let me see your wing ! (He does so reluctantly) Quicksilver, I'm ashamed of you. (He begins to cry) Where do you suppose little fairies go who write answers on their wings? Leave the Ring — and don't come back until I send for you. (He takes his book and exits, weeping. Arbutus turns to Peach Bloom and Mouse Ear) No news of Jane and Moss Bud? peach bloom. No news, your Majesty. arbutus (crossing and looking off). It's very strange; they should have been back by now. Mouse Ear, run and tell Quicksilver to go and find out what has become of them. Tell him to make haste, and to let me know the instant he discovers anything. mouse ear. Yes, your Majesty. [Exits. arbutus. I can't understand it ; — if anything has happened to them I shall never forgive myself. 506 A Treasury of Plays for Children peach bloom. Look here, your Majesty, there's something coming now arbutus. Is it Ursa? — can you see? peach bloom. No — it's only Blinkers [Enter Blinkers. He crosses and bows clumsily to Arbutus. blinkers. Your Majesty — I bring news ! [Goes to sleep. arbutus. Ah ! at last I shall hear from them. Great Heavens ! He's gone to sleep ! Peach Bloom, wake him up. [Peach Bloom pokes him; he grunts and wakes up. blinkers (thickly). Don't do that! What's the matter? arbutus. Quick, Blinkers, tell me the news. blinkers. Your Majesty, all the hens have gone on strike. arbutus. Is that all you've got to tell me? blinkers. Yes, isn't it enough? The hens say they won't stand the employment of scab labour. [Arbutus impatiently crosses and looks off stage. peach bloom (to Blinker s). What do they mean by that? blinkers. They say scab labour is taking the worms out of the mouths of their children. (Getting eloquent) The wages of setting hens are almost nothing since people began to use incubators. [Goes to sleep. Enter Mouse Ear. ARBUTUS. Well? mouse ear. He's gone to look for them, your Majesty. arbutus. Look there, — who's that? white face (entering with Antlers, and kneeling to Arbutus). Only White Face and Antlers, your Majesty. We thought, perhaps, there might be news from Ursa. antlers. Yes — have they come back? arbutus. No, we've had no news. peach bloom. Here they come, your Majesty. [All look off. mouse ear. Yes, that's Ursa, and there are Moss Bud and Jane. antlers. But what's that Ursa's carrying? white face. It looks to me much like a human being. The Forest Ring 507 arbutus. A human being ! white face. Yes; we'd better retire until we see what it all means. [Animals and Fairies hide. Enter Moss Bud, leading Ursa, still wearing collar and chain, and carrying Thomas, followed by Jane. Ursa appears as a bear, and keeps outside the Ring. Thomas appears unconscious. They cross right, and set Thomas on the ground. He stands on his feet, but with his body bent over and unconscious. jane. Thank goodness, we're here at last! That was a very good idea of yours, Moss Bud, putting Thomas into a magic sleep. {Seeing Thomas) Good gracious, he'll have a rush of blood to the head if we leave him like that (She straightens Thomas up. His body yields to her hand and re- mains in the position in which she places him) But now that he's here, what shall we do with him? moss bud. Why don't you let me turn him into a fairy? I believe I could do it. jane. Oh, no, that would never do! [Ursa in pantomime says to take him into her cave, jane. No, I don't think he'd better go into the cave. You go in, Ursa, and leave Thomas to me; I promise you not to let him go. ( Ursa goes into the cave) Now, Moss Bud, awaken Thomas. [Arbutus and her attendants have entered at back during scene, and Arbutus now comes forward. arbutus. Wait, Moss Bud. (Moss Bud joins the others at back, coming to Jane) We welcome you back again, my child, but before this boy is permitted to see the Fairy Ring, I must know if he believes in fairies. jane. No, your Majesty, he doesn't now — but he soon will. arbutus. Oh, I see. Very well, then, since you ask it I will let him see us, even though he doesn't believe — in us. [She touches Thomas's eyes and he wakes slowly. thomas (stretches and slowly feels himself all over; then sees the Fairies and stands astonished). Geemunny! [While Thomas is waking, the Animals have come in and have been eagerly discussing Thomas in pantomime. 508 A Treasury of Plays for Children blinkers (to Arbutus). That's him — that's the boy who robbed my nest and stole my children! Now we've got him! thomas. N-no, sir, I hain't never seen your children. jane (Crossing to Thomas who begins to get frightened. Aside). Thomas, if you want to get out of this alive, do just as I tell you. white face. Oh, yes (Crossing and shaking his fist at Thomas) I recognize him now. He caught my eldest son in a fox-trap. Well, I've been wanting a boy-skin rug for some time. I think this one will do nicely. [Thomas is behind Jane, very much frightened. jane. But you can't hurt him while he is in the Ring. antlers (coming down). Yes, I can. The law is that he who hurts anyone in the Ring is never allowed to enter it again. Very well, I shall kill this human cub, and then say good- bye to the Ring forever. [He advances towards Thomas, who cowers behind Jane, and Jane stops Antlers. jane. Your Majesty, can't you save him? arbutus. If they all have said it true, he deserves punish- ment. Antlers has told you the forest law. antlers. Keep out of the way, girl [Advances towards Thomas. thomas. Here — keep off — I hain't never done nothin' to you. [Antlers pushes Jane aside, and seizes Thomas. jane (calls). Ursa — Ursa! [Enter Ursa as in Act I, passing behind rock and appearing as a woman. ursa. What's the matter? jane. Oh, Ursa, save Thomas! ursa. Antlers — stop — what are you trying to do? white face. Don't stop him, Ursa. He's only hunting. ursa. Antlers — leave him alone ! He's mine antlers. What do you want with him? He's not good for anything. The Forest Ring 509 ursa. Oh, yes, he is. This is a very valuable boy. He's been trained to do tricks. [Animals astonished. Ursa motions to Jane. jane {whispering to Thomas). Do whatever she tells you. ursa. Thomas — come here — {Thomas follows directions. Ursa takes the collar and chain from her neck and puts them on Thomas) Lie down — roll over — walk like an animal — growl — show your teeth. {To others) You see how well trained he is. blinkers {crossing to Thomas and poking him in the ribs). Hoot {Thomas hoots like an owl) Very good. Who trained him? ursa. Oh, boys are very quick animals to learn tricks ! Well, he's done enough now. Come along. [She takes the chain and leads him back into the cave, passing behind rock and going in as a bear. white face. Hush! I hear something in the bushes. aunt sabrina {outside). Thomas — Thomas [All listen attentively. antlers. What is that? aunt sabrina {nearer). Thomas — Thomas jane. Good gracious ! It's Aunt Sabrina looking for Thomas. arbutus. Meet her, Jane, and tell her that her child is safe. jane. But I may bring her into the Ring? She says she doesn't believe in fairies. arbutus. All good mothers really believe in fairies, even though they call them by very different names. jane. All right, your Majesty, I'll bring her in. [Exits. white face. Your Majesty, I don't want to complain, but don't you think that, if you let human beings into the Ring, you'll ruin its reputation? arbutus. Not if they are the right ones. blinkers. White Face, you talk too much. antlers. Here they come. [Animals and Fairies form background for this scene. Enter 510 A Treasury of Plays for Children Jane and Aunt Sabrina. Sabrina is very tired, and her clothes are torn in her struggle through the bushes. jane. Now, remember, Aunt Sabrina, the animals really look like men and women. aunt sabrina. You're sure Thomas ain't hurt? jane. He's not even scratched. aunt sabrina. Ef anyone had told me this mornin' that I'd be trapesin' round the woods talkin' to animals and fairies and things {Seeing Arbutus) Land sakes ! Jane, that woman'll catch her death o' cold out here without nothin' round her jane. Hush — that's the Fairy Queen ! {To Arbutus) Your Majesty, this is Aunt Sabrina. [Arbutus extends her hand to be hissed. Sabrina grasps it. sabrina. How-de-do, ma'am. Jane's been tellin' me all about you, and I've come to ask you to give me my boy. [Enter Ursa as before. ursa. Arbutus, if I'm going to get back my children I [Sees Sabrina, and stops suddenly. Ursa and Sabrina look at each other. sabrina {to Ursa) . If you really love them cubs as if they were children, how could you keep my Thomas out here in the woods, as if he were a wild critter? ursa. If you really love that awkward trap-setting boy as if he was good and beautiful how could you keep my children shut up between four walls, away from all fresh air, as if they were human? sabrina. Why, they can't feel it like a person could; they're only dumb animals! ursa. Do you suppose that because animals can't talk they are deprived of all feeling? sabrina {after a pause). I hain't never thought of it like that. jane. You do see how wrong it is, don't you, Aunt Sabrina? arbutus. Yes, I'm sure she does. And now I want you two mothers to be the best of friends. {She joins Aunt Sabrina's hand with Ursas) Ursa will take you to your boy, and Jane and I will arrange about getting Ursa's children back to her. The Forest Ring 511 sabrina. I'm afraid you can never make Hank let 'em go. jane. We'll take care of Hank! [Ursa leads Sabrina into the cave. Enter Quicksilver. quicksilver. I've found out all about them, your Majesty. Jane and Ursa stole a boy this morning, and ran away with him. I tracked them to the edge of the forest where all trace of them is lost. [All laugh. Ursa comes out of cave and joins Jane. They talk in pantomime. arbutus. Very good, Quicksilver. You are as good a mes- senger-boy as I know. moss bud (running down to Arbutus) . Oh, Mamma, there 's a man creeping through the bushes with his gun, all ready to shoot ! [Arbutus motions others back. They form group at the back, and watch Hank, who now enters, creeping along the ground, following the tracks of Ursa and Jane. hank (following the tracks). By mighty, th' ole bar's making straight fer her cave. No, she's stopped here and — gosh all fish-hooks! She set Thomas down here, and he stood up on his feet. That means she hain't hurt him. Hello ! — what's this (Shakes his head sorrowfully) I thought so! Poor little Thomas — here he's been lyin' on the ground, and she's rolled him over twicet. I don't know what Sa- briny'll do. She was powerful fond o' that boy. It's lucky she didn't come out to look fer him like she wanted to. Must a been quite a rumpus kicked up here, by the looks o' the ground. Jane's tracks is all over the place. It ain't nat'ral fer a gal to be runnin' round the woods with bars and wild critters! (Pausing suddenly) By mighty! (De- cidedly) She's a witch — I knowed it all along ! Yes, sir — that's the reason that black cat o' Sabriny's thinks such a heap of her! ■ (Looking into cave) I b'lieve that bar's in there now. Wa'al, I'll make sure work of her this time. There's something movin' back thar ■ (Levels gun into cave, then lowers it. When Hank raises gun, Blinkers stops his ears) I can't seem to see jest whar she is. [Peers intently into cave and then levels gun again. 512 A Treasury of Plays for Children jane (running out and appearing before Hank). Hank, don't shoot ! hank. Hello, it's the witch! jane. Don't fire into the cave. Aunt Sabrina and Thomas are in there. hank. Yes, I know mighty well that Thomas is in there — or ruther his remains is! But Sabriny's to hum cryin' her eyes out. You're a nice one to tell me not to shoot in here, when you've brought this hull peck o' trouble on us. No, sir, ef I didn't know you was a witch, and that the bullet 'd go clean through yer 'thout hurtin' yer, blamed ef I wouldn't shoot you fust, and then the bar! jane. But I'm not a witch, Hank. hank. I ain't agoin' to look at yer, and then yer can't put no spell onto me. [Peers into cave again. jane (back to Arbutus). Don't let him shoot, your Majesty. antlers. Don't stop him, Arbutus. white face. Why, his shooting into the cave will simplify everything. blinkers. I wish it didn't make so much noise. jane. Please, your Majesty, if anybody's hurt it will be my fault. Don't let Hank shoot! arbutus. Well, for your sake I'll stop him. [Waves her wand; Hank has been aiming into cave and, just as he is about to pull the trigger, Arbutus's act makes the gun fly out of his hand and disappear. He looks after it in blank amazement; then his eye falls on Jane, who has come down stage. hank. I s'pose you think that's real funny, don't you? jane. I didn't do it, Hank. hank. Oh, no, o' course you didn't have nothin' 'tall to do with it! Guns is used to flyin' out o' people's hands and vanishing inter the air! It's quite the reg'lar proceedin' nowadays, hain't it? jane. But I tell you I didn't do it, — the fairies did ! hank. Why, o' course, the fairies done it all! They brought The Forest Ring 513 that bar to Sabriny's house, and put her up to carryin' off Thomas, didn't they? jane. Yes, certainly they did. hank. Wa'al then, ef there really be fairies, they might better ha' minded their own business. jane. Would you believe in fairies if you saw one? hank. I dunno — mebbe I would jane (back to Arbutus). Let him see you, your Majesty. I'm sure it would convince him ! arbutus. Well, it's against the rules — but just this once. [Gives the wand to Moss Bud who comes and touches Hank's eyes. He sees them all, and stands petrified with astonishment. hank. By mighty! antlers. Now, Arbutus, since you have revealed us to this man, you must make him answer the charges against him. white face. Yes, I think we should come to an understanding. blinkers. He hasn't got his gun. Skin him and pick his feathers out! arbutus. Hank, the wild things of the forest say you kill them, not for food, but because you like killing. hank. No, marm, that hain't true. What's the difference between killin' game to eat, and killin' it to get money to buy things to eat! blinkers. But nobody eats owls. hank. Yes — but if I didn't shoot owls somebody else would. No, if you want to stop the killin' of owls and harmless crit- ters like that, it ain't the hunters you want to talk to. It's the fine folks in the city who wears bird's wings and such foolishness in their hats that's to blame, — not us men who has to hunt for a livin'. arbutus. That does not excuse the hunter who does what he knows is wrong just for the money it will bring him. hank. That's so — I hadn't never thought o' that. arbutus. As guardian of the forest creatures, I have returned good for evil. Do you know why I caused your gun to disappear? hank. No'm. I thought I did, but I guess I don't. 514 A Treasury of Plays for Children arbutus. Then look! [She waves her wand, and Sabrina and Thomas enter from the cave. jane. You see, Hank, I told you they were there. sabrina. Wa'al, Hank, I was wonderin' what time you 'xpected to get here. [Thomas joins Jane; Moss Bud touches his eyes, and he is in- troduced to the others. hank (looking at her, dazed). An' if I'd a shot into that cave,. I'd a killed Sabriny! (To Arbutus) That settles it, marm — I'll never shoot another harmless critter s'long as I live! ursa (coming down). This is all very well, but how about my babies — they're just as badly off as ever. hank. Why, I'm dreadful sorry, ma'am, but you see I really didn't know how 'twas. I'll bring them cubs back myself first thing to-morrow mornin'. ursa (looking at him). I suppose I can trust you sabrina. Yes, marm, you kin. ursa. Very well, I'll wait by the cave until they come. arbutus. I can liberate them now, Ursa, if Hank will give me the key. hank (giving her key). Here — take the pesky thing! arbutus (taking key and touching it with wand). Oh, key, I command you to fly to your lock and open it at once. (She throws the key out, waving wand as in Act I) Cellar door at Cloverdale Farm — Open ! Children of Ursa, come out — follow the path to the woods — turn toward your cave — through the pine forest — to the Ring ! [Enter three Children, dressed in cub skins; they rush over to Ursa and embrace her, all overjoyed. Moss Bud and Jane talk together. hank (to Sabrina). Sabriny, don't you think you might give me my answer now? sabrina. I won't give it to yer now, Hank, before all these people, but I don't mind telling you it's goin' to be "yes"! [Hank and Sabrina go up stage and fraternize with Animals. The Forest Ring 515 antlers. A cup of dew to seal the compact of our friendship. [Peach Bloom and Mouse Ear bring a pitcher, made of a large leaf, and flowers for glasses. Hank and Antlers pledge each other. jane {who has been talking to Moss Bud). Oh, Moss Bud, do you really mean that I can never see you again? I wanted so much to be friends with you moss bud. Yes, Jane, a human being is only allowed to see fairies during one day. It's the old fairy law, and it's perfectly hateful. I wish I was a human child, so that I could have all the good times you've been telling me about. jane. I wish you were, Moss Bud, — we'd have been such chums. arbutus {crossing to Jane and Moss Bud). What's the matter, children? You look very sad. moss bud. Oh, Mamma, couldn't you turn me into a human child, or Jane into a fairy, so we wouldn't have to say good- bye? arbutus. No, my child, I'm afraid not. When a human being has once entered the Ring, he can always come to it again, if he does so in sympathy, and talk to the fairies, and if he listens very hard he will find that the fairies always answer him. moss bud. You'll come — won't you, Jane? jane. Indeed I will — often. moss bud. I must leave you in a moment now; kiss me good-bye, Jane. [Jane does so. A burst of merriment from the others drinking. arbutus. The moon is going under a cloud; the twenty-four hours are up. Good-bye, Jane! jane. Good-bye, your Majesty! — good-bye all! {The stage becomes dark as in Act I. General chorus of good-byes. When lights are up, Jane, Thomas, Hank and Sabrina are alone) Good-bye, Moss Bud! moss bud {faintly outside). Good-bye! jane {softly to Sabrina). Didn't you hear it, Aunt Sabrina? 516 A Treasury of Plays for Children sabrina (softly). I guess 'twas only the echo, child! Come, we must be goin' hum. [Hank and Sabrina exeunt, talking, followed by Jane and Thomas. A whippoorwill is heard. Stage same as in Act I, The Ring fades away. Fairy music. CURTAIN LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 012 244 251 2