(She  directs  their  attention  to  the  doorway  as
Mrs.  Bird  opens  the  doors.  The  Ruggleses  stand
amazed  for  a  minute,  then  break  into  shouts  of  joy,
and,  forgetting  Carol,  scamper,  shouting,  into
the  next  room.  Carol  tries  to  limp  after  them,  to
keep  up  with  them  —  but  cannot.  A  slight  look
of  pain  is  in  her  eyes.  Jack  leaps  to  her  side,  and
her  smile  welcomes  and  thanks  him  as  he  helps
her  across  the  threshold.  He  stands  in  the  door  a
moment  watching  her;  closes  the  door  quickly;
turns  around,  his  whole  attitude  bespeaking  an
almost  unbearable  heartache.  Elfrida's  attitude
shows  that  she  shares  his  fears.  She  steps  forward
with  an  involuntary  desire  to  help.  Pause.)
ELFRIDA  (softly).  After  all,  it's  such  a  happy,  useful
little  life!

JACK  (with  a  sigh  of  assent).  Yes.  Thank  you  for
reminding  me.  (He  comes  nearer  Elfrida,  slowly.)
She's  an  angel:  so  is  her  mother:  you're  not  a  bad
imitation,  yourself.  Even  I  —  get  off  the  ground  a
bit  when  I  'm  with  her.  My  brother  keeps  down  the
average  successfully:  nothing  angelic  about  him,  at
the  moment.  Are  n't  you  coming  in  to  the  Christmas
tree?  (Turns  to  the  door,  right,  back.)


88    THE  BIRDS'  CHRISTMAS  CAROL    [ACT  3

ELFRIDA.  I  will  put  all  this  right,  first.  (Points  to
table;  picks  up  napkins,  etc.)

JACK.  Let  that  effigy  of  a  butler  do  it.
ELFRIDA.  He's  busy  downstairs.
JACK.  Let  me  help:  I'm  a  lot  more  agreeable  than
he  is.
ELFRIDA.  (Hesitates.')  It  is  n't  necessary.
JACK.  Necessities  are  cheap  and  obvious:  I'm
willing  to  be  a  luxury.
