_Monks._ There is a secret underground passage, known only to myself, communicating with the nearest railway station. I will point it out, and personally conduct your Ladyship--for a consideration--one thousand pounds down. [_The noise increases._ _Elfie._ No, Granny, don’t trust him! Be calm and brave. Await the mob here. Leave it all to me. I will explain everything to them--how you meant no ill,--how, at the very time they thought you were meditating an injury, you were actually spending money in insuring all their lives. When I tell them _that_---- _Monks._ Ah, you tell ’em that, and see. It’s too late now--they are here! [_Shouts without._ Lady B. _crouches on floor. Little_ ELFIE _goes to the window, throws open the shutters, and stands on balcony in her fluttering white robe, and the limelight_. _Elfie._ Yes, they are here. Why, they are carrying torches!--(Lady B. _groans_)--and banners, too! I think they have a band.... Who is that tall, stout gentleman, in the white hat, on horseback, and the lady in a pony-trap, with, oh, such a beautiful complexion! There is an inscription on one of the flags--I can read it quite plainly. “_Thanks to the generous Donor!_” (That must be _you_, Grandmother!) And there are children who dance, and scatter flowers. They are asking for a speech. (_Speaking off._) “If you please, Ladies and Gentlemen, my Grandmama is not at all well, but she wishes me to say she wishes you a Merry Christmas, and is very glad you all like your presents so much. Good-bye, _good_-bye!” (_Returning down Stage._) Now they have gone away, Granny.... They did look so grateful! _Lady B._ (_bewildered_). What is this! Sir Vevey, Lady Violet,--alive, well? This deputation of gratitude? Am I mad, dreaming--or what does it all mean? _Monks._ (_doggedly_). It means that the sight of this ’ere angel child recalled me to a sense of what I might be exposin’ myself to by carrying out your Ladyship’s commands; and so I took the liberty of substitootin gifts more calculated to inspire gratitude in their recipients--that’s what it means. _Lady B._ Wretch!--then you have disobeyed me? You leave this day month! _Elfie_ (_pleading_). Nay, Grandmother, bear with him, for has not his disobedience spared you from acts that you might some day have regretted?... There, Mr. Butler, Granny forgives you--see, she holds out her hand, and here’s mine; and now---- _Lady B._ (_smiling tenderly_). Now you shall sing us “_Woa, Lucinda!_” [_Little_ ELFIE _fetches her banjo, and sings, “Woa, Lucinda!” her Grandmother and the aged Steward joining in the dance and chorus, and embracing the child, to form picture as Curtain falls_. VIII.--JACK PARKER; OR, THE BULL WHO KNEW HIS BUSINESS. CHARACTERS. _Jack Parker_ (“_was a cruel boy, For mischief was his sole employ._”--_Vide_) Miss JANE TAYLOR.