_Will._ I know--I'm tired. _Peggy._ You promised you wouldn't work right after meals. How is your stomach? _Will._ Oh, bother my stomach! I can't keep away from this work, there's no use talking about it. Come see what you make of this manuscript. _(Peggy sits.)_ I want to show a front scene, the same as in the last act. It's the restaurant again. _(The Play-play begins to appear as in Scene II, Act II, but showing restaurant in ruins.)_ It's morning. There's a difference, you see. The place has been burned out. _Peggy._ Yes, Bill and I had a look at it! _Will._ There's the policeman on guard, marching up and down; and Bill comes on. Here, read it. _(Full light on the Play-play.)_ _Bill._ Hello! What's happened? _Policeman._ I'll give yez three guesses! _Bill._ A fire! _Policeman._ Right yez are! _Bill._ When did it happen? _Policeman._ In the night. _Bill._ And where's Schmidt? _Policeman._ He's in jail. _Bill._ In jail? _Policeman._ Sure, the firemen smelled kerosene. _Bill._ Holy smoke! The poor old Dutchie! He set fire to his place! _Policeman._ That's what they say. I wasn't here. _Bill._ Well, I'll be switched! If I'd been here I might a' got some charlotte russes! _Policeman._ With kerosene on them, belike! _(Starts Right.)_ _Bill._ Say, mister! Youse know that guy that was waiter here? _Policeman._ Yes. _Bill._ They didn't jug him, did they? _Policeman._ No. He's lookin' for his week's wages! _(Laughs; exit Right.)_ _Bill._ Holy smoke! _(A murmur is heard from the child on cot Right. The Play-play begins to fade. Faint light on the Real-play.)_ _Peggy (rises and goes over to cot; then returns to Will)._ He seems to be more restless. Oh, I hope he's not going to be sick! _Will (In agitation)._ Don't let's get to thinking about that now! _Peggy._ All right, dear. _Will._ We're coming to the big scenes. I want to show the tenement where Belle and Dolly live. _(The Play-play begins to appear.)_ There's a room adjoining, where Jack stays. It's a few days after the fire. Belle has gone out to get something for supper. Meantime the land-lady comes. I used our landlady. _Peggy._ That ought to make a lively scene! _Will._ We're entitled to a little vengeance, I think imagine her--with her ostrich feathers and her greasy old blue dress, her sharp red nose and her fighting voice. I've got our landlady, you bet! _Peggy._ Give it here. _(Full light on the Play-play. Peggy makes secret exit. Repeated knocks at the door of Play-play Left.)_ _Landlady (opens door)._ Now, where's them people? _(Looks about suspiciously.)_ Haven't skipped, I hope! _(Goes to room Right.)_ Anybody in here? Humph! Looks like they're hard up! A bum lot! _(Belle appears Left with shawl over shoulders and a loaf of bread in her hand.)_ Oh! Here you are! I want that rent. _Belle._ Why do you come for it to-night? _(She stands in doorway, as if afraid of the woman.)_ _Landlady._ Ain' it been due two weeks?