Peggy. What?

Will. In the first place wisdom, and in the second a wife.

Peggy. Few people in the audience know anything about wisdom, and everyone of them knows that he could buy a wife for less than a quarter of a million dollars.

Will. That’s all very well—­for a funny line.  But there’s many a man would give that much money to find a noble-hearted and faithful and loving woman, who would stand by him through all the trials of his life!  I gave up more than a quarter of a million myself, and do you suppose it ever occurs to me to regret the bargain?  Do you suppose I’d be willing to wipe you and Bill out of existence if I could get my money back?

Peggy (lays her hand, on his). Will, dear, that’s very sweet of you, but it’s not the same in your play.  In the first place, Bill isn’t Jack’s child; and then Belle is dying.  You see, you’ve told such a dreadful story—­

Will (irritably). Don’t tell me that all over again!

Peggy. Forgive me!  You’ve got a headache, and you’re worn out—­we oughtn’t to try to argue now.  You simply can’t get this play right while you’re so over-wrought.  Take a little time off, and rest and get a fresh view of it.

Will. But we’ll starve to death in the meantime!

Peggy. No, dear, we needn’t.  Let me go and get a job to tide us over the trouble.  So you can do your work without killing yourself—­ please, dear, please!

Will (in thought). Listen, Peggy.  If we’re going to make a break, I’ve thought of something better.

Peggy. What is it?

Will. I’ll go and see Dad.

Peggy. Oh, Will, you couldn’t do that!

Will. I’ve been thinking about it for the last three days.  You see, putting him in the play has brought him back to my thoughts.  I’ve shown him harsh and narrow—­but still I realize that I love him.  Perhaps he can’t help it if he has a bad temper; and if he’s stubborn—­well, I’ve been as stubborn as he.  I’ve waited all these years for him to come; and may be it was my place to make the first move.  Now he’s old—­he can’t last much longer; and if he died, I’d be sorry all my life that I hadn’t been more generous to him.  It isn’t his money—­after all, he’s my father.  If I have to humble myself somewhere, perhaps I ought to give him the first chance. (A pause.) What do you think?

Peggy. I don’t know, Will.  It couldn’t do any harm, I suppose. (A pause).

Bill (pounds suddenly on door Left). Let me in!

Peggy (leaps up). What’s the matter?

Bill (rushes in). Oh!  Oh!

Will and Peggy. What is it?

Bill. A man tried to kidnap me!

Will and Peggy. What?

Bill. Tried to—­to take me away!

Peggy. Bill!