SCENE II. _A wood._ TOM _alone, a large hamper by his side_.

T.--Well, this isn't such bad fun after all, as long as one can rest. I haven't chopped much wood yet, I thought I'd do it after luncheon. I shall feel so much stronger then, and be able to work twice as hard. Let me see, it must be time to lay the table. (_Opens lid of hamper and looks in._) Ah, this does look good! Sausage rolls, chicken sandwiches, a salad, jam tarts, all kinds of nice things! I am so glad there is no one to share it with me! I How much nicer it is to lunch by one's self.

VOICE.--Ahem! (_From behind the tree._)

(TOM _shuts the lid of the hamper quickly, and looks round_.)

T.--What's that?

(_The sound is repeated. He looks round. A little old man, dressed all in grey, with a pointed hat, appears._)

GREY MAN.--Good morning, young sir.

T.--Good morning, old creature.

G. M.--You seem to be having a picnic all by yourself.

T.--Yes, fortunately I am all alone. I don't like picnics with other people.

G. M.--That's a pity. I was just going to ask if I might join you.

T.--You!

G. M.--Yes, the fact is I am a long way from my home, and I am hungry, and seeing that large hamper I thought you might be able to spare some food for the tired wayfarer.

T.--Well, I am sorry to say I can't; there happens to be just enough for myself in that hamper.

G. M.--What, can you not even spare me a crust of bread?

T.--No, I shall have to eat it up all myself in order to keep up my strength while I am cutting wood this afternoon.

G. M.--(_Lifting up his hand and speaking in a loud, warning tone._) Take care, young man, lest your meal and your wood-cutting come to an untimely end. (_He goes away._)

T.--Tiresome old creature! He's gone, at any-rate. Now I can lunch in peace. (_Opens lid of hamper. Starts._) Oh, what has happened? Where has everything gone? My beautiful luncheon has disappeared! The sausage rolls have turned to sticks! (_Throws out sticks, leaves, etc., as he speaks._) The salad into dead leaves! The chicken sandwiches and jam tart into brown paper! Oh, what an unfortunate youth I am! Now I shall have no luncheon. It is all because of that horrid grey man. He was an enchanter, I suppose, or a fairy of some kind. Why didn't he say so at once? Then I might have given him a piece of chicken. Well, it's too late now, I suppose. Perhaps I had better cut some wood, there's nothing else to do. There's a tree that would be easy enough.

(_Goes out_ R. _carrying his axe over his shoulder_. _A cry is heard._)

Oh, dear! Oh, dear me! (_Comes in again holding his arm._) Oh, I've chopped my hand nearly off! Oh, what a day of misfortunes this is! I must go home and send for the doctor, while my mother makes me some jelly and arrowroot.

(_Ties handkerchief round his neck as a sling. Puts left hand into it. Exit carrying hamper and axe._)

CURTAIN.

SCENE. III. _The same._

_Enter_ JACK _with a small basket_.

J.--Ah, now I think I'll sit down and have my luncheon. Working so hard has made me rather hungry. (_Looks off_ L.) That's a great heap of wood, I must say, to have cut in two hours. I wonder what my mother has put into the basket? Tom took such good things away with him yesterday--but my mother said she had nothing for me except some bones the dog had left, and some stale pieces of crust that had been thrown away. (_Looks into basket._) Never mind, a good appetite and a good conscience make everything taste well. So here goes!

(_Sits down. Draws handkerchief over his knees._)

VOICE (_Heard behind him._)--Ahem!

J.--(_Looks round._) What's that? Somebody about? I am going to have a companion it seems.

G. M.--(_Coming out._) Good morning, young gentleman.

J.--(_Getting up and taking off his hat._) Good morning, sir.

G. M.--What! Were you picnicking alone in the wood?

J.--I was, yes.

G. M.--Do you object to be joined by a companion?

J.--On the contrary, I should like it--the more the merrier.

G. M.--To tell you the truth, I am very hungry. I have been out all day, and am far from my home.

J.--I only wish I had some food for you more worthy of your acceptance--but such as it is, you are heartily welcome to it. Pray take it all. There is not much, but what there is you are quite welcome to have--I can wait till I get home again.

G. M.--Generous youth! Your kindness of heart shall be rewarded. Look again at the contents of your basket, and you will find them better than you imagined.

J.--(_Looking into the basket._) Oh, how exciting! What do I see? Mutton cutlets, cold partridge, cheese-cakes, grapes, bananas! Oh, how delightful! Now you will share with me, won't you?

(_Holds out the basket to the old man._)

G. M.--No, my dear boy. I only asked you for some to prove you--and seeing how deserving you are, I will reward you still further. (_Points off_ L. _at the wood_.) Take your axe and cut down that tree. You will find a bird at the root: she is yours. Farewell, and luck go with you. (_Exit._)

J.--Why, he must be a magician! What a delightful person to meet! I must go and cut down that tree at once. I'll just have a cheese-cake to keep me going.

(_Crams a cheese-cake into his mouth and goes out. Sounds of chopping heard._ JACK _rushes in again with a golden goose in one hand and a nest with golden eggs in the other_.)

J.--It was a golden goose, sitting on a nest of golden eggs! Oh, how splendid! Now my father need never cut wood again--we shall all be rich. I must rush home, and show them what I have found. (_Exit hurriedly with the goose and the nest._)

CURTAIN.