CURTAIN.

ACT III.

Scene:  The attic, the following evening.  The Play-play shows a tenement room.  Entrance to hall Left; also a small stove.  In center a table.  Entrance to another room, Right.

At rise:  The Real-play, showing Will buried in his manuscripts, Left.  Peggy Right at the cot, where there is a substitute child, representing Bill asleep.

Peggy (goes and watches Will). Well, how goes the Pot-boiler?

Will. Almost through.

Peggy. Will, do you think it can be good if you do it so fast?

Will. I can’t do it any other way, dear.  I have to throw it off at white heat.  We can go back and revise it.

Peggy. You look dreadfully pale, dear.

Will. I know—­I’m tired.

Peggy. You promised you wouldn’t work right after meals.  How is your stomach?

Will. Oh, bother my stomach!  I can’t keep away from this work, there’s no use talking about it.  Come see what you make of this manuscript. (Peggy sits.) I want to show a front scene, the same as in the last act.  It’s the restaurant again. (The Play-play begins to appear as in Scene II, Act II, but showing restaurant in ruins.) It’s morning.  There’s a difference, you see.  The place has been burned out.

Peggy. Yes, Bill and I had a look at it!

Will. There’s the policeman on guard, marching up and down; and Bill comes on.  Here, read it. (Full light on the Play-play.)

Bill. Hello!  What’s happened?

Policeman. I’ll give yez three guesses!

Bill. A fire!

Policeman. Right yez are!

Bill. When did it happen?

Policeman. In the night.

Bill. And where’s Schmidt?

Policeman. He’s in jail.

Bill. In jail?

Policeman. Sure, the firemen smelled kerosene.

Bill. Holy smoke!  The poor old Dutchie!  He set fire to his place!

Policeman. That’s what they say.  I wasn’t here.

Bill. Well, I’ll be switched!  If I’d been here I might a’ got some charlotte russes!

Policeman. With kerosene on them, belike! (Starts Right.)

Bill. Say, mister!  Youse know that guy that was waiter here?

Policeman. Yes.

Bill. They didn’t jug him, did they?

Policeman. No.  He’s lookin’ for his week’s wages! (Laughs; exit Right.)

Bill. Holy smoke! (A murmur is heard from the child on cot Right.  The Play-play begins to fade.  Faint light on the Real-play.)

Peggy (rises and goes over to cot; then returns to Will). He seems to be more restless.  Oh, I hope he’s not going to be sick!