But read the last paragraph, dear. GRANT “In fact, all the characters are true to themselves, never once being bent by the playwright for dramatic effect out of the inevitable and resistless momentum of their individual psychologies.” And Doran used to report prizefights! JERRY I hope he doesn’t go back to it. He writes beautifully. GRANT By the way, I haven’t told you the crowning achievement of my ten years of writing. Trebaro--the great Trebaro who would never even read my plays before--asked me in the lobby to-night to write him a curtain raiser! JERRY (_Happily_) That’s splendid! GRANT I’ve promised to get it done in ten days. His new play is going to run short. He’s got to have something to lengthen the evening. JERRY Have you an idea? GRANT No; not yet. But he doesn’t like anything with ideas in it. JERRY (_As she sees him go to his typewriter to remove cover_) But, dear, you’re not going to begin it to-night! (_Significantly stopping him._) To-night belongs to me--not to your work. (_Nestling close beside him._) Dearest.... GRANT All right, Jerry. I’ve only got a few paragraphs of personal stuff to bang off. Then I’ll be with you. _The Times_ wants it for a Sunday story--with my photo. (_As her face brightens again._) You see, Mrs. Grant Williams, your husband is now in the limelight. JERRY I’m so glad success has come to you at last. GRANT Better at last than at first. I’m told it’s bad for your character to be too successful when you’re young. So providence nearly starved us a bit, eh? JERRY You thought it was going to be so easy when we were first married. It’s been hard for you, dear. I know. Writing and writing and seeing other fellows make money. But now you’ve won out. You ought to be very happy, as I am. GRANT You are happy, aren’t you? (_He takes her hands affectionately, then looks at them, turning them over._) The only hard thing, Jerry, was to see these hands of yours grow red and rough with the work here. JERRY Maybe that’s the only way they could help you. GRANT (_Enigmatically_) It’s because of them and only because of them that I’ve done it. JERRY Done what? GRANT Oh, nothing. (_He puts paper in the machine._) How about a glass of milk? JERRY I’ll get it while the great man reveals himself to an anxious public. GRANT And some crackers. (_Sitting at machine._) They want something on: “How I Make My Characters Live.” (_She laughs suddenly: he starts._) Oh; it’s you? JERRY Yes. I was thinking how funny it was to celebrate a success in milk. GRANT Yes. But the greatest joke of all is that THE SAND BAR _is_ a success--a real financial success. JERRY It’s a very good joke. (_She goes out happily. Then a cynical look creeps into his face. He reads as he types._) GRANT “How I Made My Characters in THE SAND BAR Live.”