Bill. An old man—­in an automobile!

Will. You don’t mean it, Bill?

Bill. He got out and asked my name.  Then he asked me if I’d like to go for a ride.  I remembered what you’d told me about kidnappers.  So I ran upstairs.

Peggy (staring at Will). Do you suppose it could be—­

Will. I’ll go and see. (The bell rings Left; He stops).

Bill. It’s the old man!  He’s after me! (Shrinks behind, Peggy).

Will. We’ll see. (Opens door.  Dad stands in entrance).

Bill (whispers). The old man!

Dad (enters without a word; looks about). Well, young fellow!  So this is where you live!

Will (in a low voice). Yes, Dad.

Dad. And this is the woman?

Will. Yes, Dad.

Dad. And the boy?

Will. Yes, Dad.

Dad. Humph! (A pause.) Did it never occur to you I might like to see my grandson?

Will. I—­I didn’t know, Dad. (A pause).

Dad (in a breaking voice). Well, now you’ve forced me to humble myself, what have you got to say to me?

Will (starting). Oh, Dad!  Forgive me!

(Seizes his hands). Dad, I’m ashamed of myself!  I was coming to you to-day.  Honestly I was!

Dad (returning to his gruff manner). Well, young fellow, I’m glad to hear you’ve learned a little sense, at least!  How’ve you been making out?  Not very well, I judge.

Will. Not at all well, Dad.

Dad. Humph!  Too proud to tell me, hey?  The woman looks pale; and the child too. (To Bill.) Come here, youngster.  So this is my grandson! (To Will.) It’s all very well for you to make war on your old father and break his pride; but you’d no right to use your child like this. (Looks at Mss. on table.) What’s this!

Peggy. It’s Will’s manuscript.  A play.

Dad. So that’s what he is doing, instead of taking care of his wife and child? (Punches Mss. with his cane and scatters it in every direction over the floor).

Will. Oh!

Peggy. Don’t do that!  We have so much trouble keeping it straight anyway. (Gathers up Mss. and replaces it on table).

Dad. What’s in the thing?  Let me look at it. (Starts to examine it).

Peggy (in sudden alarm). No, no!

Dad. Hey?  Why not?

Peggy. Not yet.  Wait—­Will has to revise it.  You see—­(She laughs.) He’s got his local color wrong again.

Dad (gazing from one to the other). What’s the joke?

Peggy. You see, Dad—­Will’s been having a hard time, and it’s made him pessimistic.  He’s written a play, and he was ruining it with an unhappy ending.  But now—­oh, now it has a happy ending!  It’ll be a success! (Rushes to Will.) Oh, Will, I see just how it goes!  I’ve got the very words!  Let me write them, while they’re fresh in my mind! (Runs to table, takes pencil and paper.)