
In this gently moving one‑act drama, a modest Parisian home becomes a stage for quiet yearning and hopeful prayer. Set in the fifteenth‑century winter, the scene is a simple yet richly described chamber where unfinished wooden statues of saints keep silent watch over a sleeping infant. Jacqueline, a sculptor’s wife, anxiously awaits her husband Pierre’s return from a midnight Mass, fearing that his neglect will leave their daughter Rosette without the joy of Christmas gifts.
The play weaves together the everyday concerns of a mother with the timeless presence of Saint Nicholas and Saint Rose, whose statues seem to bridge the gap between art and devotion. Jacqueline’s monologue reveals her love, her doubts about Pierre’s wandering spirit, and her reliance on faith to protect her child. Listeners are invited into a tender tableau of hope, sacrifice, and the quiet miracle of a night when the hearth’s glow meets the distant bells of Notre‑Dame.
Language
en
Duration
~23 minutes (22K characters)
Series
The world's best plays, by celebrated European authors
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by MFR and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2020-03-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1855–1929
Remembered as a French poet and playwright with a strong love of popular tradition, he wrote for both readers and the stage, and is especially associated with puppet theater and poetic drama. His work moved between literature, music, and education, giving it a lively place in the artistic world of late 19th- and early 20th-century France.
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