What Christmas Did for Jerusha Grumble by John D. MacDonald

Author:John D. MacDonald [MacDonald, John D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Good Press
Published: 2019-12-19T00:00:00+00:00

Jerusha. Well, your father is ’most old enough to remember what Hannah Takehim did. But, oh, pshaw! Hannah’s dead these twenty years, and Jeremiah’s a widower still, and most blind. And I am just touching on fifty-eight, so your father will remember. It’s no wonder I am a cranky old maid. (Hazel starts up again.)

Jessie. Let us all meet at my house, and go up together. I know that every one will try to make it pleasant for you, Jerusha. We will tell all our friends that you are coming to the exercises, and they won’t be surprised when they see you.

Hazel. And I know that some young ladies will have a little present on the tree for you to prove that they appreciate your coming.

Isabel (putting on her wraps). Please don’t fix up too much, Jerusha, for we are all plain people up there and we don’t put on any airs.

Jerusha. No, no, I won’t fix up much. I may wear the things you girls so kindly fixed up for me, and again I may wear my first best ones.

Julia (all should now have wraps on to go home). Girls, let’s sing a Christmas song for Jerusha before we start for home. (All stand in line, join hands and swing them back and forth child-fashion, while they sing a verse of some familiar Christmas song. At the second verse, Jerusha takes her place in the middle of the line and sings and swings with the girls.)

Jerusha (near close of second verse says). If only Hannah Takehim could see me now! But pshaw——

Jessie. Merry Christmas, Jerusha. Now be on time. (All say, “Merry Christmas.”)

Jerusha (as the girls are leaving). I’ll be there on time, don’t fear. (Speaking to the audience.) Now ain’t this been just splendid? And ain’t those young girls just lovely? I don’t think that Hazel will ever call me a cranky old maid again. And I do just hope that Jeremiah will be at the Christmas tree exercises. I’ll just show him that Jerusha Grumble can go out in society even if I am touching on fifty-eight and an old maid, which he knows I wouldn’t be if Hannah Takehim hadn’t done what she did. But pshaw! I must get ready for the Christmas tree or I will be late, and I think after all that I will wear my first best clothes, and look real pert—perter than Hannah—but pshaw!

Exit

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