GERSON:

Merry Christmas, my friend. Merry Christmas.

JO:

[Showing the cloth to Meg.] Look at this one. Isn't it beautiful?

MEG:

Oh, yes. I could make a lovely dress out of that, but I'm afraid burgundies always look better on you than me.

JO:

Maybe you could make a dress for me.

MEG:

Perhaps I will. [Meg takes a second look at the fabric as JO goes to talk to Mr. Gerson.]

MEG:

I can hardly believe it. The sun is shining and the air is warm, and less than two weeks away from Christmas. We should be knee deep in snow by now.

JO:

Are you complaining?

MEG:

No. It's just different. This is not our usual Christmas.

JO:

[Suddenly pensive and sad.] No, it isn't.

MEG:

Are you all right?

JO:

Of course.

MEG:

I know this is a difficult time for you. The first Christmas after losing someone you love is always hardest, but sometimes it helps just to talk about it.

JO:

Thank you, Meg, but I'll be fine. [She starts walking again, and then realizes that Meg isn't with her. She returns.] I'm fine.

TOMMY:

That's what I want for Christmas. My sled broke last year.

EMIL:

He rode it off the barn roof.

NAT:

[As Tommy flips through the catalog.] Wait, wait! Go back. There... that's what I want.

TOMMY:

What? The tree?

NAT:

No. All of it.

EMIL:

Don't worry about it, Nat. Here at Plumfield, every Christmas is like that.

NAT:

Really?

EMIL:

Mr. Fritz loved Christmas. We had tons of decorations.

TOMMY:

And presents.

EMIL:

And a pageant.

NAT:

A pageant?

EMIL:

It's like a play. We do it for our parents.

NAT:

Sounds like fun.

TOMMY:

Then, after the pageant, we open presents.

EMIL:

First we eat dinner. Asia makes the biggest ham you've ever seen, covered in sweet honey and brown sugar.

TOMMY:

And them we open presents.

EMIL:

No. And then we decorate the tree. Mr. Fritz had the biggest tree. It was so tall that it almost touched the ceiling.

TOMMY:

He called the tree a... "tanabam".

JO:

[Enters the room.] "Tannenbaum." It's getting late. You boys should get ready for bed.

EMIL:

Yes, ma'am. [Jo exits.]

NAT:

Do you think we'll get a tree this Christmas? I mean, since Mr. Fritz...

EMIL:

I don't know. I do know that Mrs. Jo is really sad.

NAT:

I know what we could do to cheer her up. We can get Nick and he can take us out and pick a tree. And we can have a pageant and everyone can help. We'll make this a great Christmas.

NAT:

We're looking for a big tree, one with lots of branches. That way, it can hold popcorn and cranberries.

TOMMY:

It's gotta be thirty - no, fifty - fifty feet tall!

NICK:

That's a pretty big tree, Tommy.

DAN:

We won't be able to drag it home.

NICK:

Don't worry, guys. I got a feelin' the perfect tree's right through these woods.

DAN:

Nick...

NICK:

Ma'am, what happened?

DR. P.:

You have no idea who she is?

NICK:

No identification, no nothin'. She wasn't even wearin' a coat.

DR. P.:

The bandages will need to be changed often to guard against infections. Now, she has a few bruised ribs and a broken wrist. You'll have to mind the splint. Now, her injuries were not the result of a fall or an accident. She was clearly beaten.

JO:

Will she be all right?

DR. P.:

I don't know. I'm afraid it will be difficult to determine the extent of the injuries until she wakes up. She's suffered quite a trauma.

JO:

Who could have done such a thing?

DR. P.:

I'll alert Sheriff Berkley.

JO:

Thank you, Doctor.

DR. P.:

Keep a close eye on her. Let me know the minute she wakes up.

JO:

Of course. [Jo and Dr. Pierce exit.]

NAN:

[As Nick passes her in the doorway.] They better catch the men who did this.

NICK:

They will.

ALL:

"On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing..."

DAN:

Eight milking maidens.

NAT:

Stop, stop! It's "eight maids a-milking", Dan.

BESS:

I told you. He never gets the words right.

DAN:

Well, at least I can sing.

NAT:

Okay, guys, we'll go again from nine. "On the..."

ALL:

"Ninth day of Christmas."

JO:

How's she doing?

NAN:

Dr. Pierce said to keep cold compresses on her. That'll bring down the swelling. Beneath all those bruises, I can tell she's really pretty.

JO:

Yes, she is.

NAN:

My mother had hair like this. Same colour even. She was really pretty, too.

JO:

Nan, a package just arrived for you. It's in the kitchen. Do you want to come and open it?

NAN:

It's probably from my Uncle Bill.

JO:

Oh, there's a card.

NAN:

It's from my father.

JO:

What does it say?

NAN:

"My dearest Nan, I hope this note finds you well. I know that we'd hoped to spend Christmas together this year." [Beat.] "I'm afraid I must go to New York on business.]

JO:

[Taking the note that Nat has put down.] But look. It says he'll be back after the new year and you can celebrate Christmas with him then.

ASIA:

Aren't you going to open it?

NAN:

I guess. [She opens the package to reveal a doll.] A doll...

JO:

It's beautiful, Nan.

NAN:

I don't even play with dolls. I think I'll go help that woman. [Nan exits, leaving the doll behind.]

ASIA:

First Christmas since her mother died and her father doesn't even want to spend it with her.

NICK:

How is she?

JO:

[Jo places the photo back on the mantel.] She's the same.

NICK:

I was just out searchin' the area where we found her to see if I could find any clues. Maybe she dropped somethin'.

JO:

Any luck?

NICK:

Nah... [Looking at the doll that Jo has in her hands.] Christmas present?

JO:

It was a gift for Nan. Her father had to go away on business and won't be back until the new year. Some Christmas...

ALL:

"Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming..."

TOMMY:

Six chickens clucking!

NAT:

Stop! It's not "six chickens clucking", Tommy. It's "six geese a-laying".

TOMMY:

This song is too hard. There are too many words.

DAN:

There are too many words in every song for you, Tommy.

BESS:

When are we going to rehearse the nativity scene. You said I could be the angel.

DAN:

Yeah, well, you'd make a better donkey.

NAT:

Look, you can. You can be the angel, a donkey, whatever - after we've finished rehearsing for the carol. Okay?

EMIL:

[Enters.] Nan can't come. She's helping to take care of that woman.

NAT:

Did she wake up yet?

EMIL:

No. She looks pretty bad.

NAT:

She'll get better. I know it.

NAN:

There. That's better. Dr. Pierce says we gotta keep your bandages nice and clean. [Beat.] Is it warm enough for you?

EMIL:

[Enters.] Hey, Nan. Who are you talking to?

NAN:

To her.

EMIL:

She's asleep. She can't hear you.

NAN:

You don't know that.

EMIL:

Well, then, keep talking, but you're wasting your breath. [Emil exits.]

NAN:

You can hear me, can't you? I'm gonna get more wood for the fire.

NAN:

You're awake! Mrs. Jo! Nick! She's awake! I knew you'd wake up.

JO:

[Enters.] You're safe now. You're at a school called Plumfield. It's just outside of Concord. No one's going to hurt you here. [The woman tries to sit up.] No, lie back. Don't move. Just lie back.

NICK:

[Enters.] You had us all real worried.

WOMAN:

My baby...

JO:

Baby? Did you have a baby with you?

NICK:

I didn't see any baby.

WOMAN:

No... My baby... [She puts her hand over her stomach.]

NICK:

I'll get Dr. Pierce.

JO:

Stay still. We're going to take care of you.

DR. P.:

From my examination, I'd say she's about three months along. As far as I can tell, the child is just fine, but she needs to rest. Give her body time to heal.

JO:

What can I do?

DR. P.:

Just make sure she doesn't exert herself, but I think she's been through the worse of it.

JO:

Thank you, Doctor.

NICK:

[Enters.] Sheriff Berkley's here. Says a woman fittin' her description was reported missin' in Bedford a few days ago. He wants to know if he can ask her a few questions.

SHERIFF:

Ma'am, I'm Sheriff Berkley from Concord. If my information is correct, your name is Sara Ryan, isn't it? [Sara nods.] Your husband was very relieved that we found you. He's been worried sick about you. Mrs. Ryan, can you tell me anything at all about the men who did this to you. Do you remember how many there were?

NICK:

[Looking uncomfortable for Sara.] Sheriff, I think this can wait.

DR. P.:

She really needs to get her rest.

SHERIFF:

Of course. Mrs. Ryan, your husband wanted me to tell you he'll be here first thing in the morning to pick you up.

JO:

That's wonderful news, Sheriff. Did you hear that, Sara? You're going home.

JO:

Sara? What are you doing out of bed?

SARA:

I have to leave.

JO:

Your husband isn't here yet. Let's get you back in bed.

SARA:

No. I have to leave.

JO:

You will, as soon as he gets here.

SARA:

You don't understand.

JO:

[A carriage is seen coming down the road.] What is it? Is that your husband? Sara? Sara!

SARA:

[Sara retreats inside. Jo follows.] Please, I can't go with him.

JO:

He did this to you. Oh, Sara, I'm so sorry. I had no idea.

SARA:

Please, don't make me go with him.

NICK:

Thomas Ryan, we've been expectin' you. Name's Nick Riley.

T.R.:

Yes, you're the one who found my wife. You probably saved her life, Mr. Riley. I can't thank you enough.

NICK:

I'm just glad I was there.

T.R.:

And how's the baby. Is the baby all right?

NICK:

They're both fine.

T.R.:

I was so worried. Everyone in our church was praying for their safe return.

NICK:

Listen, I don't know how much the sheriff told you, but she was beaten pretty bad. The sheriff hasn't caught the guys who did this yet, but he will. I guarantee it. [Jo steps out of the house.] Jo, this is Thomas Ryan, Sara's husband.

JO:

Hello.

T.R.:

Mrs. Bhaer, thank you so much for taking care of my wife. I'm deeply indebted to you and everyone here at Plumfield. How is she? May I see her?

JO:

I'm afraid not. She isn't here.

T.R.:

What?

JO:

She must have left early this morning. She was gone when I woke up.

T.R.:

Where did she go?

JO:

I don't know. She didn't leave a note or tell anyone where she was going, but she obviously left in a hurry.

T.R.:

Didn't she know I was coming?

JO:

Yes, she did.

T.R.:

Well, I'll speak to the sheriff. Perhaps someone else in town has seen her. Thank you again for taking care of my wife. [Exits.]

NICK:

He beat her, didn't he?

JO:

It's hard to believe, isn't it? He doesn't look like the kind of man who would beat his wife.

NICK:

They never do.

SARA:

Is he coming back?

JO:

I don't think so. I told him you were gone, so you should be safe now. Sara, I want you to know that you can stay here as long as you need to.

SARA:

Thank you.

JO:

If there's anything you need... [Exits.]

NAN:

[Enters.] Can I get you anything, Sara? Some books or some tea?

SARA:

That brush. [She tries to brush her hair.]

NAN:

Here, let me.

SARA:

Oh, you don't have to.

NAN:

It's all right. I don't mind.

SARA:

It gets tangled if I don't brush it.

NAN:

My mother's was the same way. She died this past spring.

SARA:

I'm sorry.

NAN:

I used to brush her hair for her every night before she went to bed. One hundred strokes.

SARA:

Long hair is such a bother. Maybe I should just get is cut short.

NAN:

No. It's not a bit long. I like it. [Brushing.] Five, six, seven...

MEG:

Marmee has that wonderful recipe for oyster stuffing. Perhaps I could make that.

ASIA:

Oh, oyster stuffing! That sounds good. That'll go good with the goose.

MEG:

A Christmas goose! Now, that's a lovely idea.

TOMMY:

But we have ham every year.

MEG:

Yes, but I thought that goose might make for a nice change.

JO:

Well, I think we should stick with ham. [Tommy exits. Sara enters.] Sara, what are you doing out of bed? You should be resting.

SARA:

I was just wondering if you would send a telegram for me.

JO:

Of course.

SARA:

To my parents, in Philadelphia.

JO:

How would you like it to read?

SARA:

I guess, um, that I would like to come home. After the holidays.

JO:

After the holidays?

SARA:

I don't want them to see me like this.

JO:

Of course. We'd love to have you here for Christmas. I'll send the telegram this afternoon. Now, back in bed.

JO:

The telegram should read as follows: "Please send ticket departing January fourth, Boston Station. Your loving daughter, Sara." That's it.

GERSON:

Now, if there's a reply for Miss Ryan, where should I send it?

JO:

She's staying with me down at Plumfield.

GERSON:

Very good.

JO:

Thank you. Good day.

SARA:

Don't stop playing. It's beautiful.

NAT:

Are you supposed to be out of bed?

SARA:

Well, I'm feeling much better. I thought I'd take a walk around Plumfield. A slow walk. How long have you been at Plumfield?

NAT:

Since the end of March. This is my first Christmas here, so I'm practicing. We're gonna do a pageant for Mrs. Jo and the other parents.

SARA:

Wonderful!

NAT:

Yeah. Her husband died a few months ago. She's been really sad lately, so we thought we should cheer her up.

SARA:

Well, I can see why you would want to put on a pageant for her then.

NAT:

Yeah, except we're having problems with some of the carols.

SARA:

[Picking up some sheet music.] "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I love that song.

NAT:

Everyone's having trouble with all the words. I don't think we'll ever get it right.

SARA:

Well, they don't have to remember all the words. I could help. Would that be all right?

NAT:

Sure!

ALL:

"Five golden rings."

JACK:

"Four calling birds."

DAN:

"Three French hens."

EMIL:

"Two turtle doves."

BESS:

"And a partridge in a pear tree."

ALL:

"On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:"

ISAAC:

"Eight maids a-milking."

NAT:

"Seven swans a swimming."

TOMMY:

"Six geese a-laying."

ALL:

"Five golden rings."

JACK:

"Four calling birds."

DAN:

"Three French hens."

EMIL:

"Two turtle doves."

BESS:

"And a partridge in a pear tree."

SARA:

That was wonderful. I told you you could do it.

JO:

[Applauding.] I see you've enlisted a new recruit to help you with your pageant.

SARA:

Oh, no. I volunteered. You've got a great bunch of kids here.

JO:

I'd have to agree with that one.

T.R.:

[Enters.] I don't appreciate being lied to, Mrs. Bhaer.

JO:

Mr. Ryan -

SARA:

Thomas, I can explain.

T.R.:

You can explain on the way home.

JO:

Would you care to discuss this outside?

T.R.:

I don't care to discuss this anything, Mrs. Bhaer. I've simply come for my wife. Sara, let's go. Get in the carriage.

JO:

She's not going anywhere. Now, would you please just leave.

T.R.:

Not without my wife.

NICK:

[Enters behind Thomas Ryan.] The lady asked you to leave. [Grabbing Thomas and throwing him outside.]

T.R.:

You can't keep me from my wife and child. You have no right. Sara, get out here right now!

NICK:

I'm not gonna tell you again. [Nick punches Thomas.]

JO:

Nick? Nick, stop! Nick, stop it!

JO:

You should clean it first. You don't want it to get infected.

NICK:

I'm all right. How's Sara?

JO:

She's a little shaken up. I guess we all are.

NICK:

I couldn't stand there and let him take her. He'd just beat her again.

JO:

I know.

NICK:

I guess I got a little carried away.

JO:

A little? Nick, you looked like you wanted to kill him.

NICK:

After my folks died, I went to live with my uncle and aunt in Maryland. I was just a kid, twelve years old. I stayed with 'em about a year, watchin' my uncle get drunk night after night after night. Watchin' the fear in my aunt's eyes - the same fear Sara had when Thomas grabbed her. As a kid, I couldn't do nothin' about it. Now, I can.

JO:

Meg, what a surprise. I didn't know you were coming by today.

MEG:

Don't tell me you've forgotten again.

JO:

Forgotten?

MEG:

The cemetery. We're going to lay wreaths for John and Fritz today.

JO:

Oh, of course. I so sorry. I must have forgotten with everything that's happened. It must have slipped my mind.

MEG:

It's all right. I understand. So, how's Sara doing?

JO:

Oh, she's much better today. She's definitely on the mend. Rob and I were just on our way into town to take her to see Dr. Pierce.

MEG:

Oh.

ROB:

Come on, mother.

MEG:

Well, perhaps we could drive out to the cemetery afterwards.

JO:

Oh, I'm afraid I can't. I promised Tommy that I would help him with his schoolwork. He's been after me for days.

MEG:

And I've been after you for a month. Jo, don't do this to yourself.

JO:

Do what?

MEG:

It's all right to allow yourself to grieve. For months you've been so strong, keeping yourself busy.

JO:

Meg, I don't want to talk about this right now.

MEG:

But I can see that you're hurting. I can see it in your face.

JO:

Meg, I'm fine!

MEG:

And trying to avoid it will only make it worse.

JO:

Meg, stop! I can't. Not now.

JO:

Sara! You're finished with the doctor so soon.

SARA:

Yes. He said both my baby and I are going to be fine.

JO:

That's wonderful.

SARA:

Another couple of weeks and I'll be good as new.

JO:

Oh, I just picked up this telegram. It arrived for you this morning.

SARA:

It's from my father. He's sending a train ticket. It will be good to go home again.

JO:

That's wonderful, Sara.

T.R.:

[Approaching Sara and Jo on the street.] Sara, I need to talk to you.

JO:

Mr. Ryan, would you kindly step aside.

T.R.:

Sara, please. I'm not going to hurt you.

JO:

Should I get the sheriff?

SARA:

No. It's all right. [Jo takes Rob to their carriage.]

T.R.:

Sara, I'm sorry for what I did to you, and I'm sorry for what happened yesterday. There's no excuse for my behaviour. I was in the church the other day, and it felt so empty. I looked over at the organ and you weren't there, and I missed you playing "O Holy Night." It's something I want our child to hear each Christmas. I don't want our child to grow up without a father, Sara. I know you don't either. I promise to control my anger. I know I can change, if you just give -

SARA:

"If you just give me the chance." Don't you see? You say that every time. Every time it just gets worse.

T.R.:

Oh, no. This time I mean it. Oh, I miss you, Sara. The house is cold. It's lonely without you. Please come home.

SARA:

I can't. Not now.

T.R.:

Soon, then? [He tries to touch Sara, but she pulls away, as if burnt.] I'm sorry, Sara.

NAN:

There you are. I've been looking all over for you. It's time to take your medicine.

SARA:

Thank you, Nan, but I don't need it. My wrist is feeling much better.

NAT:

You can help us decorate for the pageant, Nan. Here, you can start by hanging this up in the hayloft.

SARA:

[Pulling an angel out of its box.] It's beautiful.

ROB:

Oh, that's my angel.

BESS:

Uncle Fritz made that for Rob the year he was born, and every year he'd lift Rob up to put it on the tree.

SARA:

It's a beautiful angel, Rob.

SARA:

Nan! Nan, wait.

NAN:

Are you all right, Sara?

SARA:

Yeah, I was just going to ask you the same thing.

NAN:

I'm fine.

SARA:

It must be difficult for you, this first Christmas without your mother.

NAN:

I'll be all right.

SARA:

Where's your father.

NAN:

In New York on business until after the holiday.

SARA:

I'm sorry about that. It must be difficult for him too.

NAN:

Yeah, real tough... spending Christmas in New York.

SARA:

Well, maybe he went there because he didn't want to think of Christmas at all. I remember when I was a little girl, my grandmother used to love Christmas, and I loved my grandmother very much. That first year after she died, I didn't want to have anything to do with Christmas. I thought if I could just keep myself real busy, I wouldn't have to think about how much I missed her, but then I started thinking about all the wonderful Christmas's that we had together: How we used to bundle ourselves up in our warm winter coats, and how we used to walk from house to house singing carols. The more I thought about all the fun things that we had done together, the more it was like she was still with me. Is there something special that you and your mother used to do together at Christmas?

NAN:

[Beat.] I gotta go help Asia. [She leaves quickly.]

JO:

Have you seen Rob?

SARA:

No.

JO:

Sometimes I think this house has too many rooms.

SARA:

Jo, I don't know what to do. I've been trying to write Thomas a letter, telling him that I won't be coming home, but I can't stop thinking about what he said. About my child not having a father. What would you do?

JO:

I would write the letter, and I would tell him that I, too, want my child to have a father. But I also want my child to grow up in a home without anger or violence, where everyone is treated with respect and kindness, and until he can prove that his is such a home, my child and I will have no part of it. [Jo exits. Sara begins to write.]

JO:

There you are. You should be getting ready for bed.

ROB:

When do we get our tree?

JO:

Soon.

ROB:

Do I still get to put the angel on top?

JO:

Of course you do. Let's just put this in a safe place for now. That way it won't get broken. Okay?

NICK:

Sorry, I couldn't help listenin' in.

SARA:

I'm a little rusty, and the splint doesn't help much.

NICK:

Sounded all right to me. You know, it takes a lot of courage leavin' your husband like you did. [Beat.] About the other day, I didn't mean to get so angry. I just wanted him to leave you alone. I don't take kindly to men who beat women. I seen too much of it growin' up.

SARA:

Well, I wish I could say that he got what he deserved, but I can't. Whether it's me or Thomas or anyone, being beaten like that is just not right. [Nick exits.]

SARA:

Nan, the other kids are looking for you. They want to do a rehearsal of the pageant. [Beat.] Are you all right?

NAN:

My mother used to make shortbread cookies.

TOMMY:

All right, jump!

BESS:

I don't think so.

DAN:

Don't worry, Bess. We got you.

EMIL:

Hurry up, my arm's getting tired.

BESS:

I'm not doing this.

JACK:

Come on, Bess. You know angels gotta fly.

BESS:

Not this angel.

DAN:

[Nan and Sara enter.] Hey, Nan, will you tell Bess it's safe? We're not gonna drop you.

BESS:

I don't see why this angel has to fly. I mean, I could just stay up here and look down upon you.

JACK:

No. I think it would work better if you fly.

NAT:

It's not that high.

DAN:

Come on, Bess.

NAT:

What do you think, Nan?

NAN:

Looks safe to me.

BESS:

Fine. Then you can be the angel.

EMIL:

She's an angel. She's supposed to fly.

NAN:

All right. [Climbs up the ladder to the loft to take Bess's place.]

SARA:

Asia, did Jo go into town? I haven't seen her all morning.

ASIA:

She hasn't come down from her room yet.

SARA:

But it's almost noon.

ASIA:

I checked on her earlier. She said she was feeling poorly. I was just about to bring her up some tea.

SARA:

I'll bring it to her.

ASIA:

Okay.

SARA:

Jo? Asia made you some tea. She says you're not feeling well.

JO:

Thank you, Sara, but I'm feeling better now. Could you tell Asia and the children that I'll be down in a few minutes?

SARA:

Sure. May I come in? [Beat.] It's freezing in here, Jo.

JO:

[Gets up distractedly and heads towards the fireplace.] I'll put some more wood on the fire.

SARA:

The fire's out, Jo. It's been out for hours.

JO:

I'll just re-light it.

SARA:

Jo, are you all right?

JO:

I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night. I've got a lot on my mind.

SARA:

[Picks the angel off the bed.] Rob's angel. He must miss his father very much.

JO:

[Jo breaks down into tears.] I can't believe I'm letting the holidays get the best of me. I thought I was stronger than this.

SARA:

Jo, you're one of the strongest people I ever met. You're running an entire school by yourself. I only wish that I had half the strength that you do.

JO:

How can you say that? You have the strength to be alone, start all over again. You're raising this child all by yourself.

SARA:

But you're doing it, and not just one child. You're raising all of these children, and you're doing a great job. You know, when things got really bad with Thomas, I used to pray to God to rescue me, and for the longest time, I used to think that my prayers had gone unanswered, but I was wrong. He did answer them. He gave me the strength to rescue myself. And he's given you that strength as well. We're not so different, Jo. I lost my husband, too. He's not the same man that I fell in love with. I guess we're both just doing what we have to do for ourselves, for our children.

MEG:

O Night, O Night Divine.