Books: The Pot Boiler
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Upton Sinclair >> The Pot Boiler
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_Peggy (hysterically)._ They don't expect poets to live! They don't
care anything about poets! Poets are cheap!
_Will (catches her by the arm, stares at her)._ Peggy! Peggy! This
play has got to succeed! It's got to succeed! People have got to
like it!
_Peggy._ Oh, Will. I hope they like it! I could get them by the
throats and choke them until they promise to like it! I could fall
down upon my knees and beg them to like it! _(To audience, with
intensity.)_ _Don't_ you like it? Don't you like it? Tell us that
you like it! Tell us!
CURTAIN.
ACT IV.
_(SCENE--The attic, the following afternoon. Scene of the Play-play
is the drawing room, as in Act I._
_At rise: The Real-play, showing Will busy working on his Mss.,
Left. Peggy Right, putting Bill to sleep._
_Peggy._ Now, Mr. Bill, you're going to have a nice nap.
_Bill._ I feel better.
_Peggy._ I'm so glad to hear it. And Will's most through with his
play, and then he'll take you to the park.
_Bill._ Say, Peggy!
_Peggy._ Now, go to sleep.
_Bill._ But say!
_Peggy._ Well?
_Bill._ I think I'm hungry.
_Peggy._ There's nothing in the house, dear.
_Bill._ No bread, Peggy?
_Peggy._ No, but we'll get some when you wake up. _(Goes Left and
sits by Will. Silence, while he works over papers. He is pale and
haggard; she watches him anxiously.)_
_Will. (Leans on hands.)_ Oh, dear.
_Peggy._ Tired, Will?
_Will._ I'm getting a beastly headache.
_Peggy._ Will, you know you oughtn't to work when your stomach has
quit like this.
_Will._ Hang my stomach!
_Peggy._ But, dear--
_Will._ Why do authors have to have stomachs? They're never of any
use.
_Peggy._ Listen, Will. You can't do good work when you're so tired.
_Will._ I can do good work! You'll see it's good. I've nearly
finished the fourth act now. Come, read it--and forget about my
stomach. _(She moves over to him. The Play-play begins to appear.)_
The scene is Dad's drawing-room again. Jessie is there; she's
worrying about Jack, and Bob is trying to comfort her. _(Full light
on Play-play.)_
_Bob._ He's all right, Jessie. Anybody'd think he'd gone to war!
_Jessie._ He was never away for so long before.
_Bob._ Don't I seem a fairly healthy specimen, Jessie?
_Jessie._ I suppose so, Bob.
_Bob._ Well, I've done what he's doing. I've done it for a year. And
I survived.
_Jessie._ But you knew how, Bob.
_Bob._ I didn't when I started.
_Jessie._ It snowed last night; I lay awake till daybreak worrying
about him.
_Bob._ My dear girl, men have got snow on their clothes before this.
_Jessie._ He's been gone a month!
_Bob._ Listen, Jessie! You know there's misery and suffering in the
world, don't you?
_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)._
_Peggy._ It's a crime that child isn't in the country!
_Will (drawing her to table)._ What do you think of my fourth act?
_Peggy._ Why dear, it's just as I said about Act One, you need more
life in the scene, more variety and color.
_Will._ But how can it be got?
_Peggy._ I told you before--you must bring in Gladys.
_Will._ Gladys at this stage of the play?
_Peggy._ Of course! You're bringing home Belle, and you want a
character contrast--the daughter of the tenements and the princess
of the plutocracy. Gladys is still in love with Jack, and here he's
coming home with another girl!
_Will._ Oh, Peggy, that's so cheap!
_Peggy._ Wait, Will--let me work it out for you. I can show you what
I mean. Let me have your pencil.
_Will (groans)._ Go on!
_Peggy._ See now--it's the same scene--_(begins to write, Will
reading over her shoulder. Play-play begins to appear)._ Only Gladys
is pouring tea--
_Will._ Isn't that just like her! Always pouring tea!
_Peggy._ Shut up! There's Jessie and Bob. Gladys has her very finest
society manner--she wouldn't for the world let anyone think that
she was excited by the telephone-message. _(full light on
Play-play)_
_Gladys._ Well, Jessie, I have had a most enjoyable evening. But I
must be going now.
_Jessie._ What? When Jack is coming?
_Gladys.__ Oh, would Jack want to see me? Surely not! No, I must
really go _(rises and starts to door)._ Good-bye!
_Will._ You're not going to have her go off?
_Peggy._ Wait! Let me write!
Jessie (rises, runs and stops Gladys)._ No, dear! Please wait!
_Gladys._ What for?
_Jessie._ Do a favor for me, Gladys. I know Jack still loves you. I
want you to stay here! I want you to hear it from his own lips. Let
me hide you behind this screen _(starts towards screen with her)._
When Jack comes in, I'll speak about you--
_Will (vehemently)._ That won't do! _(Gladys and Jessie stop.)_
_Peggy._ Why not?
_Will._ It's rotten!
_Peggy._ But I want her to do it! _(Gladys and Jessie start towards
screen again.)_
_Will._ I won't have it I say! It's undignified!
_Peggy._ Oh, don't be silly, Will!
_Will._ I say I won't have it! Let Gladys go on pouring tea!
_(Gladys starts towards tea table.)_
_Peggy._ Let them hide, I say! _(Gladys starts to screen.)_
_Will._ Stop, I say! _(Gladys stops, stands dazed and helpless.)_
_Peggy._ Why can't you give me a chance to write?
_Will._ I can't stand it, I tell you!
_Peggy._ But I want to show you how it would go.
_Will._ I don't want to see it! I won't read such things!
_Peggy._ But if I'm to have Gladys at all--
_Will._ You can't have her! She's got no business in my play! _(He
leaps up in fury.)_ To hell with her, I say--to hell with her!
_(Gladys turns and flees off with a scream; the Play-play fades.)_
_Peggy._ Will, dear, _why_ must you be so unreasonable?
_Will._ Now see, do you want to read what I've written, or don't
you?
_Peggy._ Yes, dear, of course.
_Will._ Well then, drop this tomfoolery and go on!
_Peggy (resignedly)._ All right, I'll do it.
_Will._ We've got that scene to finish. I've got a climax that isn't
bad, I think. Jessie and Bob have just had the telephone-message.
_(Light begins to rise on the Play-play.)_ Jessie's dancing with
happiness, but suddenly the thought comes to her, What will Dad say?
_(Full light on Play-play; Peggy and Will make secret exit.)_
_Jessie (in distress)._ Bob, do you suppose Dad will take Jack's
money from him?
_Bob._ I don't know. It'll all depend.
_Jessie._ Oh, we mustn't allow it! It would be wicked! You go
upstairs, Bob, and stay with Dad until I can find out what's
happened.
_Bob (rises)._ A good idea!
_Jessie._ Maybe I'll have to hide Jack until we can break the news.
_(As she speaks Dad appears in the doorway behind her.)_ You see,
Bob, we must handle him carefully--he's an old man and he's liable
to fly off, and we can't tell what he might do in a sudden rage.
He's not really responsible, you know.
_Dad (stepping forward)._ What's this?
_Jessie (starting)._ Oh, Dad!
_Dad._ What's this you're trying to keep from me?
_Jessie._ Why--it wasn't from you, Dad.
_Dad._ Who was it from, hey? Answer me!
_Jessie._ Why--Dad--
_Dad (raging)._ So I'm not really responsible! You have to handle me
carefully, do you? What is it? Out with it.
_Jessie._ Why Dad--it's nothing--
_Dad._ I know better. Out with it!
_Bob._ Really, Dad--
_Dad._ Answer me!
_Jessie._ Why Dad--it's only that I've spent some money.
_Dad._ Spent some money!
_Jessie._ I've been buying clothes, and I was afraid when you saw
the bills--
_Dad._ Where are the bills?
_Jessie._ I'll show them to you.
_Dad._ Where are they?
_Jessie._ Upstairs. Please don't scold me too much, Dad. _(Starts to
lead him off.)_ You see, I didn't realize at the time--
_Dad._ I know. That's always the way with my children. They never
realize anything!
_Jessie._ It isn't so bad--_(The front door bell rings, she
starts.)_ Oh!
_Dad._ What's the matter?
_Jessie._ Nothing. Come on!
_Dad._ Wait till I see what this is.
_Jessie._ It's nothing, Dad.
_Dad._ How do you know it's nothing?
_Jessie._ I want to show you the bills.
_Dad._ Well, wait just a moment. The bills won't run away.
_Jessie (aside to Bob)._ Lost!
_Dad._ Why, what's that? Isn't that Jack's voice? Why-why-good God!
_(Jack appears in doorway, with Belle on His arm, Dolly and Bill
behind him. All stare.)_
_Jack (staggers to chair with Belle)._ Excuse me, please. _(He
proceeds to loosen Belle's coat, tears away her collar. She is half
fainting.)_ Get me a glass of wine! Quick! _(Bob obeys.)_ A fan,
somebody! _(Jessie seizes a newspaper and hands it to him. Dolly
kneels at Belle's other side.)_ She'll be all right in a
moment--she's exhausted. Ah! Better? _(He rises and speaks swiftly,
intensely.)_ You see what's the matter. The girl is ill; she's
nearly dying. I had to get help for her. _(To Bob.)_ You must excuse
me, old man. I had to give up the wager. This was too much for me.
You see--_(Hesitates.)_ I guess you were right. I ran into the
reality of life, and it floored me. You may kid me all you please,
I'll take my medicine. But there was this girl--I had to come back,
you see. _(To Dad.)_ Excuse me, Dad, for making such a mess of it.
But I couldn't punish this girl for my sins. I had to give up my
quarter of a million, and save her life.
_Dad._ What's the matter with the girl?
_Jack._ She's been worked to death. Standing on her feet in a
restaurant fourteen hours a day.
_Jessie._ Oh!
_Jack._ And you see, Jessie--I remembered how you'd gone to Florida
and got well. _(To the others.)_ Look at the difference! Look at the
contrast between them. That was what knocked me out--I couldn't get
away from it. I've got to send this girl to Florida and give her the
same chance that Jessie had.
_Jessie._ Who is she?
_Jack._ She was a waitress. She helped me when I was starving. And
now I have to help her. She's as good as gold, Jessie, and you must
be kind to her. It wasn't fair that she should die, just because I'd
been an idler, a good for nothing! Bob--you'll be satisfied when you
know what a lesson I've had. You can't imagine how I feel, coming
out of it--it's like escaping from a nightmare! I can't quite
believe it's over. _(He stands staring before him)._ And then I
think--I've brought her out with me, but how many others I left
behind me! Tens of thousands of others, down there in a pit! Belle,
look at me! It was a bad dream, and now it's over! Here's my
sister--see! She was as sick as you, and now, how well she is! Look
at her cheeks--touch her--take her hand. And you shall be like that,
you shall start for Florida right away! Can't you believe it, Dolly?
_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)._
_Jessie (hysterically)._ Dad! Dad! I beg you--have mercy. _(Flings
herself sobing upon him)._
_Bob._ Really, Dad, you're treating him pretty badly!
_Dad._ I haven't asked your opinion, sir!
_Bob._ Well, I guess I'll go with him!
_Dad._ As you please, sir! _(Bob exit. The Play-play begins to
fade)._
_Will (in low voice)._ That's as far as I've done. _(A pause.)_ It's
near the end. What do you think of it?
_Pegyy._ Why, Will, you know what I told you before--
_Will (in a voice of despair)._ That it's all wrong! That I don't
know how to write a play. That I've got to do it all over!
_Peggy._ I never said that, Will. But I told you that you couldn't
put an audience through all those harrowing adventures, and then
pile an unhappy ending on top. You simply can't get away with such a
proposition.
_Will._ But surely, I can't have this play end happily!
_Peggy._ Where's the law to prevent you?
_Will._ The law of truth prevents me.
_Peggy._ What do you mean? Couldn't Dad forgive Jack?
_Will._ No!
_Peggy._ Why not?
_Will._ Because Dad hasn't forgiven me.
_Peggy._ But Will, there are plenty of other Dads--and they aren't
all so heartless. You'll simply have to choose another father for
this play. You can't write for your own satisfaction--you've got to
think about the box-office.
_Will (leaping up and flinging out his hands)._ Oh, my God! The
box-office! Have I got to slaughter my artistic instincts to feed
the greed of a box-office? For God's sake, Peggy, take this play and
write it to suit the taste of Broadway! Or shall I tear up the
darned stuff? _(Seizes Mss.)_
_Peggy (interfering)._ Will!
_Will._ I've got a play written, and you come and tell me to write
another. And when I take it to the manager, he'll tell me to write a
third. And his wife will read it, and I'll have to write a fourth!
And then there's the stage-manager--perhaps he has a wife too! Who
else, for the love of Mike?
_Peggy (laughing)._ Why there's the star, and the leading lady--in
this case you've got two actresses fighting for precedence, tearing
each other's eyes out over the question of dressing-rooms. Then
there's the press agent and the property-man, and the dramatic
editors of a dozen newspapers, who'll tell you next morning exactly
why your play fell flat. _(Puts her arms about him.)_ Will, dear,
don't be so impatient. Try to understand what I mean! Such a
frightfully depressing ending--everybody in the play has lost
everything!
_Will._ But that isn't so!
_Peggy._ Jack has lost his wager, and his quarter of a million
dollars--and his home!
_Will._ But see what he's gained.
_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!
_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.)
_Dad._ But what--
_Peggy._ Wait! Wait! Excuse us, please! It's so important! Here,
Bill--take your grandfather! Take him up on the roof and let him see
the view! Take him downstairs and let the beggar-kid sing for him! I
want just ten minutes to get this down! _(Pushes Dad and Bill off
Left.)_ Just ten minutes, please! _(Shuts them out.)_ Now, Will,
come here! You see how it is now! Dad has relented, your happy
ending is all ready made! You're not making any concession to the
box-office--you're simply following truth--the natural human
instincts of a father, who loves his son, in spite of all his
mistakes and his own bad temper! He orders him out--but all the time
his heart is breaking--he's eager for an excuse to relent. Oh, Will,
you must see that!
_Will (reluctantly)._ Yes, I suppose so.
_Peggy._ All right then! We go back to your scene in Dad's
drawing-room--just after Jack has carried Belle out. _(Play-play
begins to appear.)_ Dad stands there, with Jessie clinging to him,
weeping, imploring. And Bob is trying to argue with him. Dad doesn't
answer at first--wait, I'll write the scene! _(Full light on
Play-play. Will makes secret exit.)_
_Bob._ Dad, listen to reason now! Don't make this dreadful mistake.
Jack has had his lesson. Can't you see he's had it--the very thing
we all wanted for him? He's learned something about the reality of
life!
_Jessie (to Bob)._ Make Jack wait! Don't let him go away! Hurry!
_(Bob exit.)_ Dad, you must forgive him! That's a good girl he's
brought here--can't you see that? And she's ill--she's as ill as I
was! Don't you remember how you worried about me? You aren't really
cruel, Dad--
_Dad._ I don't want to be cruel. But I won't have him--
_Jessie._ You must forgive him, Dad! _(Jack appears in doorway, with
Bob, Dolly and Bill behind him.)_ Jack! Come ask him to forgive you!
He's your father! You must do it, to save the girl's life!
_Jack (advances)._ Don't misunderstand me, Dad. I don't ask for the
money. I've lost my claim to it, I don't care what you do with it.
But I must save this girl! Don't you see what's happened to me?
Don't you see what I've gained by my adventure?
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