Act 1; Scene 2

Josephine: Marmee didn’t return that night. … The thought of it made me shiver and I pulled the quilt over my head and went to sleep.

Girls: (ad lib) Marmee! Marmee! Merry Christmas!

Hannah: I suppose so. But I’ve gone and prepared breakfast all the same. Someone ought to remember it’s Christmas around here.

Hannah, what’s that I smell?

Hannah: And sausages and those wheat cakes made with apples from the cellar.

Christopher Columbus!

Hannah: Never you mind. Everything’s about ready so come in. I’ll not have it all go cold on us.

Three cheers for Hannah!

Marmee: Merry Christmas, girls!

Girls: (ad lib) Marmee! Merry Christmas! (Surround her) Here! Look what I got you—!

Marmee: Presents? But how—?

With love from us and, though she doesn’t know it, compliments of Aunt March

Hannah: I’ll decide. We’ll have breakfast first, then presents.

Girls: Oh, no…! Now…! Please, Marmee…!

Marmee: Hannah is right. I shall open them in good time.

I guess I can wait if you can. Come on, girls, let’s eat!

Marmee: And there is something else I need to ask all of you: would you be willing to give the Hummels your Christmas breakfast as a present? I know Hannah has prepared something special but…Well? (Pause)

A good thing you came home before we ate it all by our greedy selves!

Amy: Even the pop-overs?

Certainly the pop-overs!

Hannah: I’ll put some firewood in the cart.

And I’ll push the cart!

Amy: Can I carry the pop-overs?

Better let Beth take them. Just to be safe.