Phineas Farthingale... An archaeologist fresh from the interior of South America. Small, thin, and forty-odd, he has a sense of wit and good fun. He is dressed in a sun helmet, khaki shirt, and khaki shorts. Laced boots and heavy stockings complete is ensemble. Or, if preferred, corduroy trousers may be tucked into the tops of his boots, and his hat may be a battered affair. He is the master of "Great Caesar's Ghost," who has accompanied him everywhere since he left the land of Incas. The children fondly call him Uncle Phineas. (98 lines)
Helen Maxwell... Penelope's daughter and the real manager of the house. A pretty, well-dressed young lady of twenty, she has no sympathy with her mother's love of fads, and even less sympathy with her mother's dislike of Tommy Tucker, whom she likes very much. (181 lines)
Tommy Tucker... Who is the object of Helen's affection, and vice-versa. A good-looking young man of twenty-one, he has everything needed to win Helen's hand--excepting her mother's permission. He wears stylish slacks and sport coat, or business suit. Later he emerges as a rather odd-looking swami, in colorful bathrobe with a bright tie around the middle, and a towel wrapped as a turban around his head. (96 lines)
Aunt Polly Maxwell... Penelope's sister-in-law and her direct opposite. Calm, witty, unassuming, she is a good sport in every way. About forty, she dresses well, but not expensively. And she very definitely does not sympathize with Penelope's ultra interest in fads. (92 lines)
Johnson... The Maxwell's befuddled butler. He is an ideal servant, courteous and patient, wearing the dark clothes---a cutaway coat, if possible---of a butler. His manners are ideal and his prim attitude is very effective, even though his stiff formality bends sometimes at the strange goings-on around the house. He is about thirty-five. (129 lines)
Esther... The new maid and already has her eye on Johnson. Twenty-three, she is small and cute---quite a contrast to Johnson's formality. But she knows men--and hence she knows him--at least well enough to know him better. She is dressed in attractive black maid's uniform with dainty white apron and white, lacey headband. (78 lines)
Mahjah the Mystic... An Oriental of dubious origin. About thirty, he is dark and swarthy. He wears a turban with a jeweled clip in front, a bright sash, and other Oriental effects, perhaps a robe. His voice is deep and mysterious, and he speaks slowly and effectively--until surprised. Then his true origin--definitely American--shows up in his speech. His dark complexion is gained by make-up. (51 lines)
Dick O'Donnell... A lad around the neighborhood. For some reason he has "adopted" the Maxwells, though for friendship or the cook's ability to make cake, no one seems to know. About fourteen, he wears a sloppy old sweater, unpressed trousers, scuffed shoes, and battered cap or hat. (59 lines)
Hattie... The Maxwell's mistress of the kitchen Short-tempered, but an excellent cook, she is well worth her spells of temperament. Forty, she is robust and healthy. At all times she wears the neat, starched white dress, apron, and cap of a cook. Indeed, she looks like a product of her own art. (25 lines)
Great Caesar's Ghost... Though unseen is a very real character in the play. He is the good-natured, humorous, protecting spirit of the Great Caesar, an Inca chieftain who Phineas Farthingale once befriended in his scientific travels. He accompanies Phineas at all times, obeys every command, and seems somehow to have adopted his master's love for jokes. yes, he is a very funny ghost.
