_Helen (coming down, and sitting on the arm of Mrs. W.’s chair)._ Mama, you will have to tell the boys that for a particular reason, cause unspecified, you want to let the servants clear the dining-room early, so as to set them free. Tell them to smoke in the library; we will sit with them and put up with the smoke for once. _Rose._ That will do, and you must break up the party at our usual bed-time with the excuse that Lord Ferrol, after his journey, will want to retire early. Take no denial, and we will escort him upstairs. Then we girls will sit on the divan in the hall and gossip till we feel sure that all is safe. _Amy._ And we’ll write a note making an early appointment with him in the valley summer-house; and then—(_Sounds of laughter outside._) Hush! _Enter_ GEORGE, STEVEN, _and_ DENNIS, _r. d., and cross over to fireplace, where they stand and warm their hands._ _Mrs. W._ Ah, what a breath of winter freshness you bring in with you! _Steven._ It is a simply glorious afternoon. How you girls could stay indoors and roast over a fire is a puzzle to me! _Dennis._ You forget, Steve, that telegram which came at luncheon. They were afraid they might lose a few moments of his society! _George._ If his ludship isn’t afraid of a little frost, we will show him how to spend an evening on the ice. _Dennis._ I’ll bet a box of chocolates that he doesn’t know how to skate. (_Aside to men._) They don’t have ice in Southern California. _Amy._ Ten pounds and taken. (_Aside to girls._) Jack is a superb skater! _Steven._ Two to one that Dennis wins. _Rose._ I suppose you think you are betting on a certainty, so I shall take you up, just to make you feel ashamed when I lose. _Steven._ Mrs. Wycherly, can’t we have our tea without waiting for his giblets? I am simply famished! _Helen (crossing to l.)._ I wonder if men ever really think of anything besides eating. _George._ If you think that clearing the drifts off that lake is a light and ornamental position under the government, try it. _Mrs. W. (rising and reseating herself at desk chair r.)._ Well, Helen, you may make it now, only save a cup for Lord Ferrol. [GEORGE _pulls easy-chair c. back to r., while_ DENNIS _and_ STEVEN _bring tea-table to former position by chair._ ROSE _exits l. d._ _Helen (coming to tea-table and holding cup up)._ Lord Ferrol’s cup. _Steven._ Oh, no! _Dennis._ Never! [_They try to obtain possession of it._ _Helen (going round table and sitting, still holding cup)._ Not for you. _Enter_ ROSE _with hot water pot. Men return to fireplace._ AMY _sits easy-chair l. of tea-table._ _Rose (rubbing teapot against Dennis’s hand as she passes)._ Hot water. _Dennis (jumping and looking at his hand)._ Not the least doubt of it. _Helen._ Make the most of it, boys: it’s the last time our tea will be sweet to you! _Dennis._ Why is Helen like a “P. & O.” steamer? _Helen (indignantly)._ I’m not!