PART II—_Lady Spring

_Spring._ At last! Be off, Jack Frost and North Wind. You have kept me waiting too long. Now to work. I must waken the flowers. [_Waves her wand._]

_Flowers._ [_Awaken._] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have looked for you long.

_Spring._ Break into buds, trees.

_Trees._ [_Awaken._] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have looked for you long.

_Spring._ Waken, animals.

_Animals._ [_Awaken._] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have waited for you long.

_Spring._ But where are the children? Perhaps they do not know we are here. I must find some way to send them a message. Robin, will you take it?

_Robin._ I am too busy building a nest for my little ones. Send the fox.

_Spring._ Fox, will you take it?

_Fox._ I dare not go. The people will think I have come to steal their chickens. Send Black Bear.

_Spring._ Black Bear, will you take the message to the children?

_Black Bear._ Don’t send me. I am so big I would frighten them. All children love the rabbit. Send him.

_Spring._ Rabbit, will you go?

_Rabbit._ Yes, yes. I’ll go. But, dear me! The dogs! They might catch me.

_Spring._ Go when they are asleep.

_Rabbit._ Good. I will go to-night. But what message shall I take?

_Spring._ I’ll weave a basket of twigs and leaves and green grass, and line it with soft moss. Each one of us will put a message into it.