Jessie. Yes, I suppose so.

Bob. And could you wish Jack to live all his life in indifference to such things—­just idle and play, and spend the wealth that other people produce for him?

Jessie. (Clenching her hands.) Oh, if he’d only come home! (The telephone rings.)

Bob. I’ll answer it. (Goes to phone.) Hello. (A pause; then exclaims.) Why, what’s happened? (Another pause; he turns to Jessie.) It’s Jack!

Jessie (leaps up.) Jack!

Bob. Ssh. (In phone.) Yes, what’s that?  What’s the matter?  Well, I declare!  Sure, Jessie’s here.  Yes, Dad’s upstairs.  No, I won’t tell him.  Perhaps he won’t.  Hey?  In two minutes?  All right!  Bye-bye! (Turns.) He’s coming home!

Jessie. Bob!

Bob. He’s around at the subway station.  He’ll be here in two minutes.

Jessie. But what’s happened?

Bob. He wouldn’t say.  Just says he gives up—­he’s coming home.

Jessie. Thank Heaven! (A pause.) But Bob!  What can it mean?

Bob. It means he’s lost his wager.

Jessie. I don’t care!  He’s coming home!  Jack!  Jack! (She dances and claps her hands.) Oh, I’m so happy!  So happy! (The light begins to rise on the Real-play-enough to reveal Bill getting up from the cot.  He looks about guiltily, climbs up to a shelf after a bowl.  There is a crash.  Instantly the Play-play vanishes.)

Will. (Starting.) What’s that?

Peggy. (Leaps up and runs Right.) Bill!

Bill. Boo-hoo-hoo!

Peggy. What’s the matter?

Bill. I didn’t go to do it!

Peggy. But what—­

Will. Didn’t you know we were busy?

Bill. I-I was hungry!

Peggy. Poor Bill!  Never mind, dear! (Clasps him in her arms.) There was nothing in the bowl.

Bill. I th-thought there might b-b-be.

Peggy. Never mind!  Poor little fellow!  He was hungry!

Bill. I couldn’t sleep, Peggy.

Peggy. All right, never mind.  We won’t scold you.  It doesn’t matter about the old bowl—­we’ve got nothing to put in it anyway.  Now, don’t cry—­you’ll get yourself all excited. (Sound of singing heard off Right.)

Bill. Oh!  There’s the Beggar-kid! (Runs to window.) Say, Peggy!  Can’t I go down and listen to him?  I won’t go off the steps, and I won’t talk to anybody.

Peggy. You’re sure you feel well enough?

Bill. I’ll feel better, Peggy.  Please!  Please!

Peggy. You’ll truly not go off the steps?

Bill. Word of honor, Peggy!

Peggy. All right, then.

Bill. Hooray!  Now, I’ll get the roses in my cheeks! (exit at door Left; Peggy closes window and sound of singing stops).