Will. Are you sure?

Peggy. Oh, I ought to get the doctor!

Will. We already owe the doctor.

Peggy. I know—­but he’d come if I asked him to.

Will. What good could he do?  He’d only tell us what we already know—­that you can’t keep a child well if you shut him up in a tenement room in hot summer weather, and feed him on beans and prunes.

Peggy. Will, listen to me.  I can stand anything else—­but if Bill gets sick, we have to give up!  Do you understand?  I couldn’t endure that—­I——­

Will (wildly). Why do we have to start that now?  I want to finish the play! (Drags her to work-table.) Come!  Sit down here and let’s get busy!  Right off!  Not another word! (They sit side by side.) I’ve a scene here with Bill.  I want to know what you think of it. (Lights begin to rise on Play-play.) Bill comes to see Belle.  This manuscript——­

Peggy. Give it to me. (They read together.  Full light on the Play-play.  Peggy makes secret exit.  Several knocks on the door of Play-play Left.  Bill opens timidly and looks about.)

Bill. Nobody home? (Calls.) Hey!  Anybody in here?  Well, I suppose they won’t mind if I make myself at home.  Gee, I wonder if they’ll sure enough let me stay here! (Sits on chair.)

Belle (enters). Oh!

Belle. Good evening.

Bill. Youse remember me, lady?  I was in Schmidt’s restaurant!

Belle. Oh, yes!

Bill. I’m a friend o’ Jack’s.  I seen him on the street just now.

Belle. Has he got a job yet?

Bill. Nothin’ yet.  Gee, that was tough—­how he lost his week’s wages!  Do youse think that old Dutchie set the fire?

Belle. I don’t know.

Bill. I seen there was a fur-shop over that there joint, and they say that fur-shops burn up in February—­when they’ve sold out their stock!

Belle. You’re a knowing kid!

Bill. Youse got to be knowin’ at my job!

Belle (noticing that he has a black eye). You’ve got a black eye!

Bill. Sure!  A shiner!

Belle. How did you get it?

Bill. Me step-father.

Belle. What did you do?

Bill. Sure, I ran into his fist.

Belle. But—­what did he hit you for?

Bill. He don’t need no reason.  He hits.

Belle. Oh, you poor kid!  Why do you stand it?

Bill. I ain’t goin’ to, no more.  I told Jack about it, an’ he says fer me to come and stay in his room.  Will youse take me in?

Belle. Why, sure!

Bill. I ain’t no dead beat, youse unnerstand.  I earn my keep.  Look a here! (Pulls out a handful of pennies.) Ain’t much gold in it, but it makes a good jingle.