Time: Christmas Eve.

Scene: Interior of a Russian "isba," or hut. Back R., door; L., window; through them a dreary winter landscape is visible. In the corner, by the window, a ledge with ikons and decorations. Right, Russian oven, with ladder to top. Bench runs under window and along wall. For other furniture, a few stools and a table, or large chest used as a table [L.], with a cloth, a loaf of bread, and a knife upon it. Down stage [R.], a cradle. On the floor, bear skins, or other furs. At rise of curtain, Marie, seated by the table, braids a basket; Matrena rocks cradle; Kolinka sits by window, knitting; Sascha lies on top of the oven; Nicolas and Pavlo play on the floor. Children are singing the "Carol of the Birds."

CAROL OF THE BIRDS

Bas. Quercy.

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Kolinka. How lonely it is with Father away!

Marie. Yes, and isn't it strange to think that all the houses in the village are just as quiet as ours?—on Christmas Eve, too.

Sascha. I don't believe it ever happened before that the whole village had to turn out and hunt wolves on Christmas Eve.

Marie. And if they hadn't had to do that I suppose Mother wouldn't have had to spend the day taking care of Petrovitch's sick wife, either.

Kolinka. If the men were at home somebody would be coming in, or at least passing by.

Marie. Oh, I do hope they will kill all those dreadful wolves so we shan't have to be afraid any more.

Matrena. I'm so afraid Father will be hurt!

Sascha [with scorn]. Hurt, Matrena! Of course he won't be hurt. Hasn't he always hunted wolves, every winter? But that's the way with you and Kolinka. I tell you I'm not afraid. I only wish I were older and bigger—then I could have gone, too. It's very slow to have to stay at home and take care of you girls. [Yawns and stretches.]

Marie [turning indignantly]. Indeed, Sascha, it wouldn't be slow at all if you would do something beside lie up there on the stove and sleep. Here's the bowl you began to carve a month ago, not finished yet. Just come down now, and do it.

Sascha. Oh, no! I like this better. And you know you would rather have me stay up here and tell you the news. [Teasingly.]

Kolinka. News, indeed! What news can you have to tell, I should like to know?

Sascha [triumphantly]. Just this. That the great castle up on the hill has been thrown open once more.

Marie [surprised]. Has it? Why?

Kolinka. I don't believe it.

Sascha. It's true, though. Our father the Czar has pardoned the Baron, and he has come back from Siberia.

Kolinka. Are you sure, Sascha? Where is the Baroness?

Sascha. The men said so at the well this morning, so it must be true.

Matrena. Did the Baron bring the little Prince and Princess with him?

Sascha. Of course my lady and the children weren't in Siberia with the Baron. They've been in some foreign country—I forget where—all these years. And now the Baron has sent for them, and they have all come back to the castle to keep Christmas together.

Matrena. Oh, how glad I am!

Sascha. What are you glad for? It won't make any difference to us.

Matrena. But I'm glad, anyway!

Kolinka. Of course she is, and so we all are, Sascha—glad for the Baron and the lady, and the children, too.

Nicolas. Did you say they were coming here, Sascha?

Pavlo. Are we going to see them?

Sascha. No, of course not. They've come to the castle, and it will be the wonder of wonders if we see them.

Kolinka [kindly]. Perhaps they will drive through the village in their beautiful sleigh, Nicolas, and then you and Pavlo will have a chance to see them.

Sascha. They did say, at the village well, that now the Baron is home, there will be more strangers in the village again.

Marie. All the better for the village, and that's a very good reason for you to come down and work, Sascha. We can sell what we make to these same strangers, and earn a few kopeks for poor Father.

Sascha. That's so, Marie. [Comes down ladder and begins to examine work.] I believe I'll make some more forks and spoons. [Consults Marie in pantomime.]

Nicolas. Let's play wolf hunt, Pavlo! I'll be a wolf—— [Covers himself with a skin.]

Pavlo. And I'll be a hunter with a club! [Jumps up and arms himself. Nicolas growls realistically. Pavlo prepares to strike.]

Kolinka [suddenly, in a startled voice]. What's that outside!

Nicolas. Bears!

Pavlo. No, it's a wolf! [They throw down skin and club and fly to the top of the stove.]

Pavlo and Nicolas [terror-stricken]. Wolf! Wolf!

[Marie and Kolinka go to window.
Sascha tries to see out, then goes to unbolt door.

Matrena [running to foot of ladder and shaking her finger at Nicolas and Pavlo]. You bad boys! you've waked the baby!

Kolinka. Be quiet, boys! It's not a wolf at all.

Matrena. Nor a bear, either. [Rocks cradle, and pats and hushes baby.]

Marie. It's some poor body lost in the snow, perhaps.

[Sascha gets door open and runs out.

Sascha [without]. Have you lost your way? Come with me. Here is our door. It's a bitter cold night.

[Matrena leaves cradle and stands by Marie.
Enter Sascha with Prince and Princess.
Nicolas and Pavlo watch with interest.

Kolinka [going forward hospitably]. Come in; you are very welcome. [Sees the strange guests.] Oh——

Marie [aside]. Oh, Matrena, who can it be?

Matrena [aside]. Marie, just see how beautifully they are dressed!

[Children stand back abashed. Sascha remains
by door.

Prince [who leads Princess by the hand]. We thank you for taking us in. I am the Prince Dimitri from the castle, and this is my sister, the Princess Dagmar.

Princess. And we have lost our way.

Kolinka [timidly]. We—we didn't know who it was. I'm so glad we heard you.

Marie [gently taking Princess' hand]. Oh, Matrena, how cold her hand is! Come near our stove, my lady, and warm yourself.

[Marie and Matrena rub the Princess'
hands while the boys on the stove peer
down curiously. The Prince puts his
hands against stove. Sascha and Kolinka
stand staring at the strangers.

Sascha. How did you get lost?

Prince. We wanted to see our beautiful forest——

Princess. You see, we have only been here for a few days.

Prince. So we started out for a little walk. We didn't mean to go far at all, but before we knew it we had lost sight of the castle.

Princess. And though we tried and tried to find it again, we kept getting deeper into the forest.

Sascha. But how did you come to the village? It isn't very far from the castle, but it is hard to find unless you know the road, or just the right path in the forest.

Kolinka. Yes, how did you come here?

Princess. An old woman found us wandering about trying to find the path, and she brought us here. Such a strange old woman, all wrinkled and bent.

Prince. She seemed to know just how to come here, though I couldn't tell what was guiding her.

Princess. And she was so good and kind to us—but she never spoke once, all the way.

Marie [clapping her hands]. It must have been the Babushka!

Sascha. Of course it was!

Kolinka and Matrena. How wonderful!

Nicolas and Pavlo. Babushka! Babushka!

Prince [puzzled]. The Babushka?

Princess. Who is she?

Sascha. What! you, Russian children, and don't know that!

Kolinka [aside]. Hush, Sascha, don't be rude. You forget they have been away ever since they were babies, almost. [To Prince.] We can tell you all about the Babushka, Prince. Sit down, and Marie will tell you the story. Marie knows it best. [Kolinka, Sascha, and Marie draw benches forward and all sit down, Marie in the center, the rest not too close to her. Prince and Princess on bench to R., Matrena on end of Marie's bench. Sascha stands near Matrena. Kolinka behind the group, knitting. Nicolas and Pavlo watch gravely.]

Nicolas. There aren't any bears or wolves coming, Pavlo?

Pavlo. No. And Marie's going to tell a story.

Nicolas. Let's get down. [They scramble down the ladder, and seat themselves at Marie's feet.]

Marie. Was the old woman in the forest all dressed in gray?

Princess. Yes, all in a long gray cloak, with a queer white cap on her head.

Marie. Yes. Then I'm certain it was the Babushka. She is sure to be wandering about on Christmas Eve.

Prince. Is she?

Princess. Why?

Marie. That's what the story is about. Once upon a time, hundreds and hundreds of years ago, there was a lonely little house out in the fields where four great roads met.

Sascha. And by the house there was a big guidepost that pointed four ways at once, to show people which road to take. [Stretches out both arms and swings his body slowly to show how the post points.]

Marie. Babushka lived all alone in the little cottage. In the summer the place didn't seem so lonely, for the banks at the roadside were covered with bright flowers, and the days were long and full of sunshine. But in the winter everything was white as far as Babushka could see, and the wind howled, and the wolves howled, and the birds were all gone. And Babushka was poor, and old, and lonely. One winter day, when she was hurrying to get her work all done and her house tidied before the dark came down, because she was too poor to buy candles for herself, she heard a strange sound outside like silver bells ringing above the whistling wind. She looked out of her little window and saw a great train of people coming down the broadest of the roads toward the crossroad. She never had seen anything so strange before, for the leaders were not traveling in sleighs or on horseback, but on three great splendid white camels. The silver bells were hung about the camels' necks, and their saddles were decorated with silver ornaments. And on the camels rode Three Kings. Babushka knew they were kings because they were so richly dressed and because each one wore a golden crown on his head. And after them followed a long train of servants and guards. The Kings did not know which road to take, and one of the servants was sent to knock on Babushka's door and ask the way. At first the old woman was so frightened that she wouldn't open the door, nor answer at all, and the Kings themselves had to get down from their camels and come to speak with her. The servants frightened Babushka, but the Kings were so kind to her that she soon told them all she knew about the four great roads. It wasn't very much, for she had never traveled further than the nearest village, but she told the Kings that there they could find shelter for themselves and their camels and their servants.

Then the first King said: "We have journeyed a very long way, Babushka. We have been guided on the road by a glorious, shining Star, and we know that by and by the Star will lead us to a little new-born Baby."

The poor old Babushka wondered very much, and said: "Who is the little child, my lord, that you should take such a long, hard journey to find him?"

And the first King said: "He is a great King—the King of all the earth. When we find Him we will lay our crowns at His feet, with these gifts we have brought—gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. We are called Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar."

Babushka listened and looked. She saw the gold crowns, and she saw that each one of the Kings bore in his hand a gift—one held a richly embroidered bag which looked heavy, and it was, for it was filled with gold. Another carried a beautiful crystal jar full of something clear and golden. Babushka knew this must be myrrh, and suddenly she knew, too, that the fragrance of spices filling the poor little house must come from the incense in the stone vase she saw in the hands of the third King.

She listened and looked, and then she said: "Kings have no need of gifts, my lord. Why do you carry these gifts to the little child?"

And the first King said: "Because this King of all the Earth is the King of Love, or He would not have come down into the world as a little child. And because we love Him more than everything else, we are bringing Him the very best that we have."

And the second King said: "Come, Babushka, go with us on our journey to find the Christ-Child. He has come into the world to love and help just such poor old creatures as you."

And the third King said: "There is room in His heart for you, and we will gladly help you on the journey to Him."

And all the Kings begged her to go with them. But Babushka was afraid and unwilling. She saw how cold and dreary it was outside, and she knew that she was warm and dry in her little hut, even if she was so poor. She didn't know anything better than just to have enough to eat, and a fire to keep her warm. She looked up into the dark, threatening sky, and couldn't see any marvelous star through the thick clouds. And, besides, she wanted to finish sweeping up her house. She must surely do that first of all. But the Kings could not wait, so they mounted their camels again, and soon Babushka heard the music of the silver bells growing fainter and fainter in the distance. All the next day, and the day after, and the day after that, and every day all the year, and through all the years, Babushka thought of her strange visitors. And still more she thought of the little Child. And the more she thought, the more she grew to love Him, until at last she began to wish she had gone with the Three Kings. She grew more and more unhappy about it, until one day she made up her mind that she would set out alone to try to find the Child. She forgot how many, many years had gone by since the visit of the Kings, and she didn't know that the Child had gone back to His Throne in Heaven again. She locked her little cottage and set out, going from village to village and from house to house, everywhere seeking for the Christ-Child. When she found a little child who was kind and loving and true, she said to herself: "This little one looks as the Child I am seeking must have looked," and it made her very happy. But still she didn't find the Child the Kings had found.

And, Princess, though it all happened such hundreds and hundreds of years ago, the Babushka is still hurrying over the world in winter time, looking in every nursery and every cottage for the little Christ-Child. She comes in softly with just a rustle of her skirts, and bends over the beds where little children lie asleep. She always puts some small gift on the pillow, and steals silently out again. It is only the children that are good and quiet who ever see her, and she makes friends with them and gives them Christmas presents. But she loves the babies best of all, I know, because she still hopes to find among them the Baby who was laid in a manger on the first Christmas.

Matrena [after an instant's pause, pointing to window]. Someone is at the window!

Princess. I see her—it's the old woman who led us out of the forest!

Sascha. It's the Babushka!

Kolinka. Perhaps she will come in. Let's be very quiet.

Matrena. Let's sing—the Babushka loves our carols.

[Children sing softly the carol of the Birds.
Enter Babushka, very quietly. Lays her
hand on Pavlo's, then on Nicolas' head,
and gazes earnestly at them.
[Kneels by cradle, bending over the baby, and
kisses it. Rises, stands watching the children
a moment, then glides silently out.
Children see her pass window, then the
song ceases.

Princess [suddenly springing up]. Oh, Dimitri, why didn't we beg the Babushka to take us home to the castle? Our Father and Mother will be so terribly frightened when we don't come back!

Prince [hurrying to door]. Perhaps it isn't too late.

Sascha [catching his arm, and standing before the door]. No, no! you couldn't catch her.

Kolinka. And you mustn't go out in the cold again.

Princess [in great distress]. But we must let our father know we are safe!

Kolinka. We will send a messenger as soon as we can, but there is no one in the village to-night——

Sascha. The wolves have been so bad that all the men have gone out to hunt them.

Kolinka. Perhaps someone will be back soon, and then we can send. It isn't safe for the boys to go alone into the forest so late.

Sascha [to Prince]. Father made me promise not to go away until he came home. I'm not a bit afraid, though.

Kolinka. Sascha, run and ask old Semyon what he thinks. [Exit Sascha.] Sascha will bring Semyon back with him.

Nicolas. Perhaps Ivan will come, too.

Matrena. Ivan and Semyon play their violins and sing—Ivan is Semyon's grandson, you know.

Pavlo. And we sing, too.

Nicolas. We'll sing for you when they come.

Prince. Will you? That's nice.

Marie. We sing all the songs we know on winter nights. And while we sing we work. See, Princess, this is our winter work.

[Prince and Princess go to table and look
over wooden articles and baskets, with
Marie and Matrena. Kolinka stands
by window.

Nicolas [to Pavlo]. I'm glad I wasn't big enough to go wolf-hunting, aren't you, Pavlo, because now we've seen the Prince and the Princess.

Pavlo. And Sascha said they wouldn't come here—but they did. Let's go up on the stove again, Nicolas. [They climb upon the stove.]

Kolinka. There they come. [Opens door. Enter Sascha, Semyon, and Ivan.] Did you tell Semyon, Sascha?

Sascha. Yes, and he says we must wait.

Semyon. Good-evening to you all.

Children. Good-evening.

Semyon [bowing]. It's a poor, cold welcome home we give to our Prince and Princess, but we are glad to see them among us again.

Prince. I'm sure they've all been kind, little father.

Semyon [bowing again, to Prince]. I'm sorry, my lord, that there is no way to send a message to the Baron, but our boys are too young, and I am too feeble. The men will be at home soon, I hope, and meanwhile you must be patient.

Marie. Oh, Semyon, let us have some carols [to Princess], and then the time will go quickly.

Semyon. Ivan and I are always glad to make music on Christmas Eve.

Ivan. Or any other eve, either, Grandfather.

[Semyon sits in center of stage, Ivan standing
beside him. They play their violins
and sing the ballad of King Wenceslas, all
the children joining in the chorus.

Nicolas. Sister, sister, I hear somebody shouting, outside!

Sascha [rushing to door]. The men come back from the wolf hunt!

Ivan. Let's see what they've killed. [Exeunt Ivan and Sascha.]

Kolinka. No, it's not our father—they're all men that look like soldiers.

Marie. It's the people from the castle come to look for you!

[Door flies open. Enter Ivan and Sascha
with Baron. Prince and Princess rush to him.

Prince and Princess. Father! Father!

Baron. My children! Are you both safe?

Princess. Oh, yes, Father. These children have been so good to us.

Baron. Have they, my dear? Then they have been good to me, too, and I thank them with all my heart.

Kolinka. Oh, we haven't done anything, sir!

Prince. Tell us how you found out where we were, Father?

Baron. In rather a queer way, my son. We didn't miss you just at once, but as soon as we knew you were gone everyone was in a great fright, you may be sure. I started out with Sergius and Smoloff, and half a dozen others to search for you in the forest. We hadn't gone a hundred yards from the castle when we met the strangest little old woman I ever saw, all dressed in gray, and wrinkled and bent——

Princess [clapping her hands]. The Babushka, Father, the Babushka!

Marie, Sascha, and Kolinka. The Babushka took the message!

Prince. It was she who brought us here!

Semyon. Have you never heard of the Babushka, Baron?

Baron. Yes, yes! I know the old story of the Babushka, but I never saw her before.

Ivan. She always comes to our village at Christmas time. We don't all see her every year, but somebody always sees her.

Prince. What did she do, Father?

Baron. She did not speak at all. She looked at us for a moment with the softest eyes imaginable, and then she stooped down and pointed to your footprints in the snow. Then she pointed toward the village, smiled, and beckoned to us to follow her. It seemed as if she must have guessed our trouble, and she seemed so sure and so full of cheer, that we couldn't help believing we should find you, and followed her at once. I must reward her liberally for the great service she has done me and mine this night.

Marie. The Babushka wants no reward, Baron. You know what it is she has been searching for all these years? Grandmother says it was Love the Babushka wanted, and she has surely found it, for every little child in Russia loves her dearly, dearly, and watches for her at Christmas time.

Ivan. And when she comes, the children sing their carols for her. But the one she loves best is the "Golden Carol"—that's the song of the Three Kings, you know, sir.

Semyon [in doorway]. The Babushka is coming now, with her followers, my lord. Here they are! [Enter a troop of village children, the Babushka in their midst, smiling on them, and now and then patting some little one on the head. She stands in the center of the stage and distributes gifts to the children from a quaint basket, answering their cries and questions by nods and smiles, each child exclaiming "Thank you!" "How nice!" etc., as he receives his gift.]

Children. Oh, Babushka! dear, good Babushka!

Sophia. Have you got something for everybody?

Malashka. Are you quite sure?

Sergius. Me, too, Babushka!

Masha. I've tried to be good, all the whole year!

Children. We all have, truly, Babushka.

Sergius. I've had good lessons—you can ask the school-teacher.

Katinka. My mother says I've been a good girl—aren't you glad?

Peter. Please, Babushka—I—I'm afraid I haven't been a very good boy. But I'm sorry, and I'll try to do better next year. I'll be bigger, then.

Praskovia. We'll all be very, very good next year—won't we, children?

Children. Indeed we will, Babushka.

Boris. Perhaps it will be easier next year.

Feodosia. Oh, please, Babushka, I have a baby brother at home. Could you give me something for him?

Leo. My big brother has gone wolf-hunting with the men, but he'll be sorry enough he missed you, Babushka.

Michael. So has mine, and he'll be sorry, too.

Nadia. Dear Babushka, I've kept the present so carefully that you gave me last year.

Malashka. Oh, did you? Mine got broken and I cried.

Children. Oh, Babushka, we love you, we love you! Why can't you stay with us always? Live here with us—in our village.

Sascha. Babushka! You must have something for the Prince and Princess, haven't you?

[As the Babushka gives them something, the
Baron turns to the children.

Baron. Children, the Babushka has given the best present of all to me.

[Children stare in surprise.

Marie. Oh, I know! I know what it was!

Baron. Yes, some of you can guess. The Prince and the Princess were my Christmas present, for the Babushka gave them back to me.

[Children laugh and clap.

Semyon [tapping his violin for quiet]. Come, children, we must sing for the Babushka!

Children. Yes—we always do. [Applaud again. Semyon and Ivan play, while children sing "The Golden Carol."]

THE GOLDEN CAROL

of Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar.

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CURTAIN

NOTES ON SETTING, MUSIC, AND COSTUME

Russian Oven. Made from a wooden packing-case, five or six feet in height, covered with cambric, and painted to represent stone, brick, or tiles. These stoves are decorated with rich panels in bold conventional designs of flower or animal forms, or combinations of geometrical figures. They are often so large that in the bitter weather whole families may sleep on their tops, or on a platform above.

Ikons. Pictures of the Christ, the Madonna, and the Saints, much ornamented with gilt, and placed on a ledge in "the beautiful corner," with candles in silver candlesticks, sweet-smelling grasses, and flowers, real or of paper. Sometimes a carved wooden pigeon is also placed before the ikons—the emblem of the Holy Spirit. The wall in this corner is hung with long towels, either covered with embroidery, or embroidered at the ends. Everyone who enters the room makes an obeisance, and crosses himself, before the ikons. They are specially decorated for Christmas.

Make the towels with stencils, as described in the notes on girls' costumes.

The same characteristic designs are placed on ledges, cupboards, and shelves, on the chest, or coffer, and ceiling beam, on carved wooden boxes, dishes, and jugs, which are often displayed on a sideboard. The knife and loaf placed on the coffer constitute a symbol of hospitality.

The decoration of the stage need be limited only by time and resources.

Music

Search for information in regard to carol-singing in Russia having been unsuccessful, old carols have been chosen which lend an atmosphere of quaintness. The "Carol of the Birds" is old French, the others English, "The Golden Carol" of the Magi being especially appropriate to the story.

The sources for "Good King Wenceslas" are given on p. 316. The singing of this carol (also the "Golden Carol") is accompanied by the Village Fiddlers on their violins. Semyon sings the part of the King, Ivan that of the Page, all the children the narrative parts.

Others, with better knowledge of the subject, may be able to obtain music more strictly suitable. The author would be glad to gain any accurate information in regard to the use of Christmas carols in Russia.

Costumes

Boys wear Russian blouses, and dark trousers, their legs bound, from feet to knees, with yellowish rags; shoes suggesting moccasins. Blouses may be made of canton flannel, white, or dull colors, or of unbleached muslin, reaching halfway to knees. Neck finished in a band; opening from collar down left side is not more than six or eight inches, giving just room enough to put the head through. Trim this collar and opening, also sleeves, with fur; or put on a conventional border with stencil and paints, narrow at neck opening, broad on sleeves. Tie in at waist with a short sash, ends hanging, of bright color to match borders.

Outdoor winter costume of boys is a very thick, very full-skirted coat of dark color, immense boots, cap of fur, or fur-bordered, and bright scarf about neck, ends tucked into breast of coat. The village children, however, may be supposed to rush in from their houses, after the Babushka, without coats, but dressed as above, which is both simpler and more picturesque.

Girls’ costumes vary a little more.

Girls wear knots of ribbon hanging from the ends of their braids, many strings of bright beads on the neck, and large gold hoops, or enameled earrings in their ears. They may wear low shoes with bows or buckles, or the soft, thick moccasin-like shoes worn by the boys.

Some few may be bareheaded. Others wear the large handkerchiefs described above, and still others the picturesque "kokochnik," a velvet, bead-trimmed crescent, worn forward on the head as in the picture of "Marie." These are easily cut from cardboard, covered with velvet, and trimmed in different patterns with small beads.

The stenciled patterns above-mentioned take the place of Russian embroideries. They are repeated conventional designs, Greek patterns, and fantastic forms of flowers, birds, and animals. Stenciling is suggested as being the easiest and quickest way of getting the desired effect.

The Babushka. Long robe, and hooded cloak of light gray canton flannel. The hood is worn over the head. She carries a quaint basket filled with cheap little toys.

An adult is needed for this part, or an older girl of sufficient insight and appreciation to carry out the simple pantomime and fill it with the love and deep yearning of the Babushka, who is really a spirit, and not a human being at all.

The Baron. Long military coat, below knees; cream-colored, trimmed on breast with a pattern in gold braid, a band of same around the edge and up the slits at the sides. Double collar, standing up behind head and lying flat across back, scarlet with a gilt pattern. Scarlet sash with sword or dagger. Red boots with blue heels. Spurs. Sleeves open from shoulder to fur-trimmed cuff, and worn hanging. Under-sleeve, and lining of coat-sleeve of a rich color. Hat with flat-topped crown about eight inches high, scarlet, with gold pattern; standing brim, dark brown, three inches high, cleft in front to show more of red and gold. Gilt cockade in front.

Prince. Russian blouse with military trimmings, scarlet and white. Khaki trousers, boots, fur cap.

Princess. White cape and hood, trimmed with fur and silver. Dress underneath not unlike the little peasants', but more richly trimmed.

Old Semyon. Long brown robe, halfway below knees, skirt rather full. Legs bound in tan-colored rags. Moccasins. Coat has broad collar with long reveres, and plain high vest inside, of same material as coat. Hat made of the same, low, with rolling brim, giving a turban-like effect. Long white hair and beard.

Marie, the eldest of the children, is perhaps fourteen; Kolinka, twelve; Matrena, nine; Sascha, Ivan, and the Prince, eleven or twelve; Pavlo and Nicolas, five or six; the Princess, nine. The Village children should be rather small.

Satisfactory pictures of Russian homes and costumes are very difficult to find, but there is a series of fairy-tales in Russian, beautifully illustrated in color, which will be found most helpful to those wishing to make costumes for this play. These books are to be had at the Russian Importing Company, 452 Boylston Street, Boston, and may also be seen in some of the larger Public Libraries.