_Belle._ But I told you we'd have it to-morrow. _Landlady._ Well, it's nearly to-morrow. I want to get it before it's gone. _Belle._ But Dolly doesn't get home until very late. _Landlady._ You keep telling me about Dolly---- _Belle._ She said she'd have some money. I'll bring it to your room as soon as she gets home. _Landlady._ All right. I've got sick of waitin' for that money! If you haven't got it you can just move on, that's all! You might as well understand---- _Belle (with gesture of distraction)._ Oh, all right! All right! I've told you we're doing our best! _(Turns and rushes off Left.)_ _Landlady._ Well, now. Will you look at that! _(Paces up and down.)_ They come and use your rooms and if you ask what's due you, they turn and run! That's what it is to be a landlady! That's the way they treat you! _(Calls.)_ Here! You don't need to move to-night! _(Follows off Left; calling.)_ What are you running for? I'm not going to eat you! But I want you to know I got to have that money--I got my own bills to pay. _(A bell sounds in the Real-play and the Play-play fades instantly.)_ _Will._ God! It seems to me that bell rings all day and all night! _Peggy (rising)._ Wait, dear. I'll answer it. _(Rises and goes to door. Will continues absorbed in manuscript.)_ _Landlady (at door of Real-play)._ Good-evening. I've come for the rent. _Peggy._ I'm sorry, but you know I told you it would be a few days yet. _Landlady._ How many days do you call a few? _Peggy._ Well, a day or two more. _Landlady._ That rent's overdue a month. You'll have to get it somehow or quit. _Will (looking up from manuscript)._ Didn't I tell you you could have it when Dolly gets home? _Landlady._ Dolly! Who's Dolly? _Will._ Oh, I----_(Laughs.)_ I beg pardon! _Peggy (laughing with him)._ You see, my husband's writing a play, and Dolly is one of the characters in it. We're putting you in, too. _Landlady._ _Me?_ _Peggy._ Yes--I hope you won't mind. You see, he wanted somebody that was interesting, that people would like to see on the stage---- _Will._ And when it comes out you can go and see it. _Peggy._ We'll get you tickets, you know. _Will._ We'll be delighted to place a box at your disposal. _Landlady._ Well, for the land's sake! _(Beaming.)_ What sort of a character am I? _Will._ Why, you're the landlady in the play; there's a poor family in distress, and you take pity on them, and help them in their trouble. It's very touching--everybody will be moved to tears by it. _Landlady (suspiciously)._ Well now, that's all right, but I have to have my rent. I have to pay the agent for this house. If you can't pay me, I have to ask you to move. _Peggy._ Oh, surely you wouldn't do that! _Landlady._ Why wouldn't I? _Peggy._ Don't you see how it would be in the play? You'd be hard and unmerciful. _Will._ Everybody would dislike you! _Peggy._ Think how ashamed you'd feel--before a whole theatre full of people every night!