Act I, Scene 1

SCENE — Room in MR. WOODPECKER TAPPING'S house. Door C. Doors R. and L.
JACKSON discovered dusting chairs. Enter PATTY on tip-toe C. from L.

Patty. Is it all right, Mr. Jackson?

Jackson. All is right, Patty. (Kisses her.)

Patty. Now, none of that, if you please. Your master, Mr. Woodpecker Tapping, is to be
married to-day, and you told me I might come and see the wedding presents. Where are they?

Jackson. In the next room — you shall see them presently.

Patty. But how comes it that the wedding takes place from the bridegroom's house, and
why are all the wedding presents sent there?

Jackson. Because the bride, Miss Maria Maguire, lives at Pettytwiddllm, in a remote corner of Wales — and as Mr. Tapping can't get leave to go down to a remote corner of Wales, a remote corner of Wales has to come to him.

Page modified 21 June 2010