Part 12 (1/2)

_Policeman._ Why didn't yez ask him for work?

_Schmidt._ I don't vant his vork. I vant his money, or you takes him to jail.

_Policeman._ An' phat might his bill be?

_Jack._ Thirty-five cents.

_Policeman (to Schmidt)._ Do yez think I've no more to do than arrestin' people for thirty-five cents?

_Schmidt (excitedly)._ Can I feed all the tramps on dis Avenue by my place? I say you arrest him!

_Policeman._ Well, all right--if that's it. Come along here.

_Belle._ Mr. Schmidt.

_Schmidt._ Hey?

_Belle._ Let me pay what he owes you.

_Schmidt._ Hey?

_Jack._ No!

_Belle._ Let me pay it. He's a friend of mine, and I don't want him arrested.

_Jack._ No, no--I won't have it.

_Belle._ You can pay me back. You'll get a job soon. Mr. Schmidt, will you take it out of my next wages?

_Jack._ I say no!

_Belle._ You can't help it. Just take it out of my wages, and let him alone--that'll settle it, won't it?

_Schmidt._ Ja, wohl, if you say it so. I haf no more to do mit it!

_(goes Left in anger)._

_Belle._ That's all right, isn't it, officer?

_Policeman._ Yez kin call yourself lucky, young feller. Next time I'll not let yez off so aisy _(exit Center)._

_Jack (stands gazing at Belle)._ Oh, say! That was awfully decent of you! I don't know how to thank you.

_Belle._ You needn't thank me.

_Jack._ But--why did you do it?

_Belle._ Because I didn't want you to go to jail. A fellow gets started at that, and he doesn't know where to stop.

_Jack._ You make me feel like a dog, because I can't help you. I had no business to come here!

_Belle._ Don't make so much out of it. We have to give each other a hand now and then--we'd none of us pull through if we didn't.