_Mrs. W._ Oh, no! I was only coming in to speak to Helen. (_Helen comes to centre._) I have just received a despatch from Frank Parker. He has been called back to San Diego by the illness of his mother, so we shall not have his visit after all. (_Hands telegram to_ HELEN _and sits at desk r._ ROSE _sits at desk l._ HELEN _and_ AMY _cross to r. and evidently consult over telegram._) I really am very sorry, for I wanted to renew with the son a very old family friendship, but there is no chance, for he has gone West already. _Helen (crossing to Mrs. W. and pleading)._ Oh, mama! Will you not keep it a secret from the boys? Only George and Steven would care, and we have a really good reason for not wanting them to know. Oh, please, mama! [_Puts arms round_ MRS. W.’S _neck._ _Amy (beseechingly)._ Oh, Mrs. Wycherly, please do! _Rose (kneeling imploringly)._ Do, Mrs. Wycherly! _Mrs. W. (suspiciously)._ What mischief are you concocting now? (_rising and going to l. d., followed by all the girls_). Well, I won’t promise not to, but I will hold my tongue till I see that I had better speak. _Helen._ Oh, you dear mama! _Mrs. W. (laughing)._ Temper your justice with mercy. [_Exits l. d._ _Helen (melodramatically coming down c.)._ Who talks to me of justice and mercy! _Rose._ Helen, can’t you arrange to have Burgess drive over to that 5.15 train? It would be so lovely to see the men’s faces when the carriage came back empty. _Amy._ Gracious! If we only could get the real Ferrol here, in place of the fictitious, and yet make the men think it was Mr. Parker. _Rose._ But Lord Ferrol won’t be here till Friday, and by that time the boys will have either found it out, or suspect from the time that it really is the genuine article. _Amy._ I’ll tell you what to do. Let me wire my cousin Jack Williams to get himself up as an Englishman, and come up here on Tuesday. I can coach him so that he can pass himself off for Mr. Parker, and the two are enough alike, judging from the description, if disguised, to fool the boys. _Helen._ But the moment they were alone with him they would find— _Rose (interrupting)._ We’ll arrange it so that until we are ready for developments, they shall have no chance to find out. _Rose._ But how about Mrs. Wycherly? She knows Mr. Williams, doesn’t she? _Amy._ We’ll let her into the secret—she’ll enjoy it as much as any of us. _Helen._ And she’s always wanted to have your cousin here. _Rose._ Quick, Amy. Write the telegram. [_All rush to desk._ AMY _sits in chair l._ _Helen._ Mercy! but you’ll ruin yourself with such a one. _Rose._ We’ll have to share the expense. _Amy (getting paper and pencil)._ No, I shall only send a short despatch, and write full particulars by letter. Let me see—(_Aloud._) “Come up here disguised as an Englishman—goggles, beard, wig, loud clothes—” _Rose._ And hat-box.