A Masque Of The Seasons

Scene. - A kitchen. - Group of Children, popping corn. - The Fairy Queen of the Seasons discovered in the smoke of the corn-popper. - Waving her wand, and, with eerie, sharp, imperious ejaculations, addressing the bespelled auditors, who neither see nor hear her nor suspect her presence.     QUEEN      Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall, -      Which do you like the best of all?     LITTLE JASPER      When I'm dressed warm as warm can be,             And with boots, to go             Through the deepest snow,      Winter-time is the time for me!     QUEEN      Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall, -      Which do you like the best of all?     LITTLE MILDRED      I like blossoms, and birds that sing;          The grass and the dew,          And the sunshine, too, -      So, best of all I like the Spring.     QUEEN      Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall, -      Which do you like the best of all?     LITTLE MANDEVILLE      O little friends, I most rejoice          When I hear the drums          As the Circus comes, -      So Summer-time's my special choice.     QUEEN      Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall, -      Which do you like the best of all?     LITTLE EDITH      Apples of ruby, and pears of gold,          And grapes of blue          That the bee stings through. -      Fall - it is all that my heart can hold!     QUEEN      Soh! my lovelings and pretty dears,      You've each a favorite, it appears, -      Summer and Winter and Spring and Fall. -      That's the reason I send them all!