Part 24 (2/2)

_Peggy._ Tell me!

_Will._ Two-fifty.

_Peggy._ Two-fifty!

_Will._ Two dollars and a half!

_Peggy._ Great G.o.d!

_Will (furiously)._ How do they expect a poet to live on two dollars and a half for a poem?

_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.)_

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