The Mystery of the Velvet Gown

“ ‘That I shall say good-night till it be morrow.’ ”
    “That’s Jane Morgan!” Trixie hissed to Honey and Jim.
    “Thank you, Jane,” Miss Darcy was saying. “Try to remember your lines, Diana! That’s the second time today that Jane has had to help you. There won’t be any prompting on the night of the performance,” she admonished curtly.
    Eileen Darcy was interrupted just then by a student bearing a message from the principal’s office. After reading it, her mood suddenly changed.
    “The costumes from England have arrived.” Miss Darcy’s face was flushed, and she seemed very excited. “If everyone is willing to forego a few minutes of their lunch break, I’ll bring them in and we’ll take a look at them.”
    All the students agreed. Miss Darcy asked for several volunteers to help carry the boxes. Jim and Trixie quickly offered, and they headed toward the office with Miss Darcy. On their way out, Peter Ashbury rose and offered to help, too.
    There were three large, flat boxes. Jim carried one, Ashbury another, and Trixie and Eileen Darcy carried the third. They took them back to the auditorium and set them on the stage.
    Trixie immediately began opening one of the boxes. “What do you think you’re doing?” Peter Ashbury demanded. “I think you should wait until you’re asked to do something. Perhaps Miss Darcy would like to open them. They are her responsibility, after all.”
    “I—I was only trying to help,” Trixie stammered, blushing furiously.
    “Mr. Ashbury is right, Trixie,” Miss Darcy said smoothly. “I would like to open them myself, since they are on loan to us.”
    She quickly began opening the boxes as the students looked on. The first costume she removed was a beautiful cape.
    “This is to be worn by Romeo in the first act,” she explained. She then proceeded to remove the rest of the costumes, until finally she brought out a long, exquisite velvet gown with intricate lace and jewel designs.
    “This is lovely!” she exclaimed, holding up the gown.
    Suddenly a flashbulb went off. Eileen Darcy looked up in surprise.
    “Didn’t mean to startle you, Miss Darcy,” said the smiling young man with the camera. “I just wanted to get some shots for the paper, and I think candid ones are often the best.” It was Bill Morgan, Jane’s older brother, who was a photographer for the school newspaper. “I plan to do a whole article about the play,” he explained glibly.
    “That’s fine,” Eileen Darcy said. “You just startled me, that’s all.” Then she glanced down at her wristwatch. “I’ve detained you long enough, class. You’d better get to lunch. Mr. Ashbury and I will carry the costumes to my office. And, Trixie, after lunch, will you please stop in and see me for a few minutes?”
    Trixie nodded, then gathered her things and walked to the cafeteria with Di, Jim, and Honey.
    “It looks like we’ve all gotten in some hot water today,” Trixie sighed. “Jane yelled at Honey, Di forgot a line, Mr. Ashbury snapped at me, and now Miss Darcy wants to see me. I wonder what else I did! Is there a full moon or something?”
    “Maybe it’s hunting season for Bob-Whites,” Honey giggled.
    Trixie laughed, too, and then became serious again. “Did you notice how nervous Miss Darcy was while she was opening the costumes?“
    “She’s been nervous all week,” Jim said, “and that really doesn’t need any explanation, Trixie. She’s undoubtedly worried about her father, and maybe she’s still shaken by the accident with Reddy.”
    Throughout the walk to the cafeteria, Di had been unusually quiet. “Is something wrong, Di?” Honey finally asked.
    “No... well, yes,” Di began, tears filling her violet-colored eyes. She hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, “I don’t think I can play Juliet! All the lines I knew yesterday, I’ve forgotten today, and the ones I’ll have to learn for tomorrow, I’ll probably forget by the next day! Jane knows all of them. Maybe she should play the part.”
    “Don’t be ridic, Di!” Trixie exclaimed angrily. “Sure she knows the play—she’s probably got a script in her hand, waiting for you to forget a line. And she’s not out there saying them in front of all those people!”
    “Trixie’s right,” Honey added firmly. “Tomorrow’s Friday—we’ll help you practice all weekend. You’re going to do just fine.”
    “I agree with both of them,” Jim said, handing Di a handkerchief. “Now, dry