The Pot Boiler: A Comedy in Four Acts Part 29

_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 n.o.ble-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.