[She jumps out of bed.]

MOTHER.  Oh, that is fine!

KATE.  I must not be late to school.  I promised the Bed.

THE PROUD RING-FINGER

TIME:  this morning.
PLACE:  Mary’s bedroom.

* * * * *

MARY. 
MOTHER. 
FATHER. 
BROTHER. 
SISTER. 
POINTING-FINGER. 
MIDDLE-FINGER. 
RING-FINGER. 
LITTLE-FINGER. 
THUMB.

* * * * *

[MARY lies in bed asleep.  Her FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHER, and SISTER enter softly.  They carry birthday presents for Mary.]

MOTHER.  Sh!  We must not wake her!

FATHER.  I will put the gold pen on the table.

BROTHER.  I will lay the apple by the pen.

SISTER.  I will place the rose by the apple.

FATHER.  How pretty they look!

MOTHER.  What shall I do with the ring?

FATHER.  Why not put it on her finger?

MOTHER.  I will do that.  I will put it on her ring-finger.  There!  See how pretty it looks!

SISTER.  How pretty it makes her finger look!

MOTHER.  Now come.  We must not wake her.  Sh!  Sh!

[They go.]

RING-FINGER.  I have a gold ring.  I am pretty.  I am better than the other fingers.  I will not work with them.

THUMB.  Do you hear that, fingers?

[Illustration:]

POINTING-FINGER.  You are too proud, Ring-finger.

RING-FINGER.  Have I not a ring?

MIDDLE-FINGER.  That makes you no better, miss.

RING-FINGER.  I will not work with any of you.

LITTLE-FINGER.  Then I will not work with you.

POINTING-FINGER.  Nor I!

THUMB.  Nor I!

MIDDLE-FINGER.  Nor I!

[The Ring-finger sees the rose.]

RING-FINGER.  I wish to hold the rose.

MIDDLE-FINGER.  I will not help you.

RING-FINGER.  I cannot get it alone.

MIDDLE-FINGER.  I will not help you.  Let the ring help you.

RING-FINGER.  Dear me!  Dear me!  I cannot get the rose!

[The Ring-finger sees the apple.]

RING-FINGER.  I wish to hold the apple.

POINTING-FINGER.  I will not help you.

RING-FINGER.  I cannot get it alone.

POINTING-FINGER.  I will not help you.  Let the ring help you.

RING-FINGER.  Dear me!  Dear me!  I cannot get the apple.

[The Ring-finger sees the gold pen.]

RING-FINGER.  I wish to write.

THUMB.  I will not help you.

RING-FINGER.  I cannot write alone.

THUMB.  I will not help you.  Let the ring help you.

RING-FINGER.  The ring does not help me.  I cannot work alone.  I am no better than you, my brothers.  I will work Win you.