Dolly. It seems to me we’ve got some explanation coming to us, Jack.

Jack. Oh, I forgot.  This is my sister.  This is Dolly, Belle’s sister, and this is Bill—­a little news-boy who helped me when I was down and out.

Bill. Good evenin’, ladies and gents.

Dolly. It was some kind of joke you played on us, Jack?

Jack. It was a wager I had made.  I went out to shift for myself and see how I’d get along.  I wasn’t playing any joke on you, Dolly.

Dolly. It was a pretty poor joke on Belle, I think.

Jack. How do you mean?

Dolly. You promised you’d marry her!

Dad. What!

Jessie. Marry her!

Dolly. That’s what he told her.  Didn’t you, Jack?

Jack. Why—­I—­

Dolly. It’s all right, Jack—­since’s we’ve caught on in time.

Jack. No, no, don’t misunderstand me.  It was just that I didn’t want to tell my family just yet.

Dad (starting forward). Why, you infernal jackass!

Jack. Dad—­

Dad. You have the impudence to come here and tell me that you promised to marry a waitress in a restaurant!

Jack.  Yes, Dad—–­

Dad (raging). Are you mad?  When you’ve just proven that you can’t earn enough to fill your own belly?  You come here whining for forgiveness, and then tell me you’ll marry a girl of the streets—­

Jessie. Dad!  Stop!

Dolly. Excuse me, Jack—­we’ll get out of this. (Rises.)

Jessie. No—­wait!  Please, Dad—­

Dad. Let her go!  There’s no place for her here.

Dolly. Come, Belle, (Lifts her.)

Jessie (Hysterically). Dad, how can you be so cruel?

Dad. Keep out of this, Jessie.

Jack. If they go, I go too, Dad.

Dad. Go, and good riddance to you.

Jack. If I go, I’ll never return.

Dad. Has anybody asked you to?

Bob. Wait a minute, Dad.

Dad. Let me alone, Bob.  I’ll attend to this.

Jessie (rushing to Jack). Jack!  Jack!  Wait!

Dolly. Come on, Belle!  This is no place for us!

Jack. I’ll take her myself. (Exits left with Belle).

Jessie. Jack!  Dad doesn’t know what he’s saying!

Dad. Who says I don’t know what I’m saying?  Who says I’m not responsible for my own acts?  Who says I have to be handled carefully?  I’ll have you all understand—­

Jessie (clutching Dad). Don’t you see the girl’s nearly dead?

Bill. I’ll get out too (To Dad.) Say Mister—­(Dad stares at him). You’re worse’n my stepfather! (Exit with Dolly).