Dad. Maybe you’ll not want the quarter of a million at all!

Jack. Oh, an extra quarter of a million would always come in handy.  But we’ll settle that when I return, Dad.  For the present, I’ve got the world to conquer.

Bob. Bow down, world!

Jack. What I say is:  Come on, world! (with a gesture of defiance) I’m ready for you!  I’ll show you what I can do.  Good-bye! (exit suddenly Left)

Jessie. Jack!  Jack!  Oh, how perfectly terrible!  This cold night, and no money!  What will he do?

Bob. There’s many another man out there with no money.  What do they do?

Jessie. Bob, I hate you!

Dad. It’ll be the very thing for the young scapegrace—­if he’ll stick to it.

Jessie. But how will he live, Dad?

Dad. Live?  Wasn’t I a poor boy when I came to the city?  And didn’t I manage to make a fortune?  Let him do what I did!

Jessie. But you were used to hardships, Dad!

Dad. Used to it?  Of course I was—­and why shouldn’t he be?  Why is he too good to work like other men?

Jessie (pleading) Oh, Dad—­(Sudden loud sounds in Real-play, Right; piano and voices shouting chorus of the latest rag-time.  Play-play fades instantly.)

Will. Hell and damnation!  There go the devils with their coon-songs! (leaps up with distracted gestures) Oh!  Oh!  Oh!

Peggy (laughing, runs to window—­and tries to close it; sounds continue).

Will. The monsters!  The fiends!  The satellites of Satan!

Peggy. (laughing). The window’s stuck!  Come put it down, dear.

Will. The window’s always stuck when that mad-house opens up!

Bill (waking). Ah——­

Will. What’s that?

Peggy. It’s Bill waking (runs to him).

Bill (sitting up). Oh!

Peggy. They woke you up, dear!

Bill. I’m glad of it!

Will. Hello!  Bill!

Bill. Oh, hello!  You got back, did you!

Will. Yes.

Bill. Say, Will, listen to the music!

Will. I hear it.

Bill (delightedly). Gee!  That’s great, ain’t it?

Will. You like it?

Bill.  You bet I like it!  Say, I know that tune!  The beggar-kid sings it every time he comes. (Sits up in bed and keeps time with his finger.  Chorus begins and he joins in at the top of his voice.)

CURTAIN

ACT II.

Scene:  The attic, afternoon of the next day.  The set of the Playplay is a cheap Third Avenue restaurant.  Entrance from the street Center, also window with cashier’s desk beside it.  Tables up stage, from Right to Left.  Entrance to kitchen Left.  Clock on wall shows 11:30.