[The tiny kitchen is seen.  The SAUSAGE is stirring the pot.  The COAL is tending the fire.  The SUGAR LOAF is laying the table.  Enter STRAW with a load of wood.]

STRAW (throwing down wood).  Think you’ll need more wood for the dinner, Sausage?

[Sausage does not answer.  She gets into the pot to flavor the vegetables.]

COAL (whispers to Straw).  Sausage is quite put out.

STRAW.  What’s the trouble?

COAL.  No one knows.

[Enter SNOWFLAKE with a pail of water.]

SNOWFLAKE (looking about).  Where’s Sausage?

STRAW.  She is flavoring the vegetables.

[Sausage comes out of the pot.]

SNOWFLAKE.  Here is the water, Sausage.

[Sausage does not answer.]

SNOWFLAKE (speaking louder).  Will you come for the water, Sausage?

SAUSAGE (sharply).  No, madam, I will not!

THE OTHERS (with surprise).  Sausage!

SAUSAGE.  I’ve been slave here long enough!

THE OTHERS (as before).  Sister Sausage!

SAUSAGE.  I mean just what I say!

SNOWFLAKE.  Have I not done my share of the work?

COAL.  Have I not done my share?

STRAW.  Have I not done my share?

SUGAR LOAF.  And have I not done my share?

SAUSAGE.  Please to tell me what you do.

STRAW.  I bring in wood that Coal may make the fire.

COAL.  I make the fire that the pot may boil.

SNOWFLAKE.  I draw the water and bring it from the brook.

SUGAR LOAF.  I lay the table nicely.

SAUSAGE.  What do I?  Eh?  What do I?  I must stand over the fire.  I must not only stir the dinner, I must flavor it with myself.  For each of you there is one duty.  For me there are plainly three.

STRAW.  But, sister—­

SAUSAGE (interrupting).  Don’t “sister” me!

SNOWFLAKE.  Sausage, dear, would you break up our pretty home?

SUGAR LOAF.  And we all so happy here!

SAUSAGE.  There must be a change!  Some one else can stand over the fire—­can stir the pot—­can flavor the vegetables.

COAL.  If I flavored them, they could not be eaten.

SAUSAGE.  That’s what you’re always saying, but I’m not so sure of it.

SNOWFLAKE.  If I stirred the pot, ’t would be the end of me.

SAUSAGE.  Yes, you say that often enough, but I’m not so sure that it is true.

STRAW.  Should I stand over the fire, I’d be no more.

SAUSAGE (scornfully).  Excuses!  Excuses!

SUGAR LOAF.  ’T is plain that I should not get into the pot.

SAUSAGE.  And why not, Miss? why not?

SUGAR LOAF.  ’T would be good-by for me, if I should!

SAUSAGE.  Excuses!  Excuses!  I say there must be a change!  ’T is I who will bring the wood or draw the water.