The Pot Boiler: A Comedy in Four Acts Part 20

_Belle._ Why, sure!

_Bill._ I ain't no dead beat, youse unnerstand. I earn my keep. Look a here! _(Pulls out a handful of pennies.)_ Ain't much gold in it, but it makes a good jingle.

_Belle._ How did you get it?

_Bill._ Extry! Extry! Woil'n Join'l! Sun'n Globe! Mail'n Telygram!

_(Looks about.)_ Say, I don't like the housekeepin' in this here joint.

_Belle._ What's the matter?

_Bill._ A woman ought t'unnerstan'--when a man's been out hustlin'

all day, he wants good, warm, nouris.h.i.+n' food, an' he wants it quick.

_Belle._ Well, sir, you see, sir, if I'd known exactly what hour you'd be in, sir! How would a slice of bread strike you?

_Bill._ Hand it out!

_Belle (gives him bread and he stuffs it. She sits on table.)_ Come here, Bill. You know, it looks nice, having you here. I had a little brother once.

_Bill._ Youse did?

_Belle._ I used to take care of him. If you're going to be a member of this family, I'll have to take care of you.

_Bill._ Watcher mean?

_Belle._ I used to wash the s.m.u.t off his face before each meal.

_Bill (disconcerted)._ Gee! Three times a day? Gawd a'mighty!

_Belle._ I'll pay you for it, Bill.

_Bill._ What'll youse pay?

_Belle._ Well, I wonder. A kid that's had a stepfather to beat him and no one to love him! _(Puts her arm around him and kisses him gently on the cheek.)_

_Bill._ Holy smoke! _(Wonder and delight dawn on his face.)_ Say! I like that!

_Belle._ Then it's a bargain?

_Bill._ Sure! Put it there! _(They shake hands.)_ Does it begin to-night?

_Belle._ No, I'm too tired to-night. We'll start out fresh in the morning. You must be tired too, Bill. You'd better go in and sleep.

_(Leads him Right.)_

_Bill._ Say, Belle!

_Belle._ Well?

_Bill._ I like them kisses.

_Belle (clasps him in her arms.)_ Poor little fellow! _(Kisses him again.)_

_Bill._ Gee, but this is like heaven!

_Belle._ Good-night, Bill.

_Bill._ Good-night. _(Exit, closes door.)_

_Belle (returns, sinks to table with a moan of exhaustion; then hearing Jack coming, sits up, listens, gets herself together and pretends to be busy.)_ h.e.l.lo, Jack.

_Jack (enters)._ Well, Belle?

_Belle._ Did you get any work to-day?

_Jack._ Fine luck to-day. I made a quarter, helping to load a truck.

_Belle._ Is that all?

_Jack._ Better than nothing. How goes it with you, Belle?

_Belle._ Pretty well.

_Jack._ Only pretty well? Isn't the rest doing you good?

_Belle._ Some good, I think, Jack.

_Jack._ Say, Belle! Do you know, I think you were much better after that imaginary journey we took the other night. Let's take another.

_Belle (looking up with a feeble smile)._ So soon?

_Jack._ I've got some more time-tables.

_Belle._ Where's it to be?

_Jack._ I'm tired of the Europe business. It takes so long, getting to Switzerland and Egypt. I believe in seeing America first.

_Belle._ Where shall we go? To Hoboken?

_Jack._ Stop laughing at me. We're going to Florida. _(Draws up chair to table and spreads out R. R. folders and time-tables.)_

_Belle._ Where do you get those?

_Jack._ At the ticket-office. They give them away.

_Belle._ With those lovely pictures! How nice of them!

_Jack._ Yes--isn't it! Now--here's the Atlantic Coast line. We leave New York at noon----