ANDREWS. Why... your father had no idea when he left... LAURA. I know. Something has turned up... ANDREWS. Nothing wrong, I hope. LAURA. I must see my father as soon as possible. Ile will be here this morning? ANDREWS. Any minute, Miss Hegan. LAURA. He will surely come? ANDREWS. Not the slightest doubt of it. Nothing could keep him away. LAURA. I wish to see him the moment he comes. And if he should call up or send word... ANDREWS. I will see that he is informed, Miss Hegan. LAURA. Thank you. [A pause.] The Court decision is expected to-day, is it not, Mr. Andrews? ANDREWS. [Hesitates.] There has been a rumor, Miss Hegan. LAURA. And so there will be considerable disturbance of the market? ANDREWS. Presumably. LAURA. And my father has made preparations? ANDREWS. Yes. LAURA. That is what the conference was about? ANDREWS. I presume so, Miss Hegan. LAURA. By the way, Mr. Andrews, I expect Mr. Montague here at ten o'clock. Please let me know when he comes. ANDREWS. Yes, Miss Hegan. [Goes to the door, then turns.] Here is Mr. Hegan now. LAURA. [Starting up.] Ah! ANDREWS. [Holding open door.] Good morning, Mr. Hegan. HEGAN. [Enters.] Good morning. LAURA. Father! HEGAN. Why, Laura! [ANDREWS exit.] What are you doing here? LAURA. I've come to have a talk with you. HEGAN. To have a talk with me? LAURA. Come in, please, father. Shut the door. HEGAN. Yes, my dear; but... LAURA. I came into the city on the next train after you. I have been hunting for you ever since... I have been up all night. I have something of the utmost urgency to talk with you about. HEGAN. What is it? LAURA. Come and sit down, please. HEGAN. Yes, my dear. LAURA. Listen, father. Yesterday afternoon, when we were talking, you told me that you had never done anything to influence the courts in their decisions. HEGAN. Yes, Laura. LAURA. And you told me that nobody else ever did it, either for you or for your companies. HEGAN. Yes, but... LAURA. And, father, you told me a falsehood. HEGAN. Laura! LAURA. I am very sorry, but I have to say it. It was a falsehood; and it is but one of many falsehoods that you have told me. I understand just why you did it you think I ought not to ask about these things, because it will make me unhappy; and so, for my own good, you do not hesitate to tell me things that are not true. HEGAN. My child, it is your father that you are talking to! LAURA. It is my father, and a father who knows that I love him very dearly, and who will realize it hurts me to say these things, fully as much as it hurts him to hear them. But they must be said... and said now. HEGAN. Why now? Just at this moment... LAURA. I know what you are going to say. At this moment you are very busy... HEGAN. My dear, the Exchange will open in an hour. And I am in the midst of a big campaign. I have important orders for my brokers, and a hundred other matters to attend to. And I expect Grimes here any minute... LAURA. Grimes? HEGAN. Yes, my dear.