_Belle._ Oh, you poor kid! Why do you stand it? _Bill._ I ain't goin' to, no more. I told Jack about it, an' he says fer me to come and stay in his room. Will youse take me in? _Belle._ Why, sure! _Bill._ I ain't no dead beat, youse unnerstand. I earn my keep. Look a here! _(Pulls out a handful of pennies.)_ Ain't much gold in it, but it makes a good jingle. _Belle._ How did you get it? _Bill._ Extry! Extry! Woil'n Join'l! Sun'n Globe! Mail'n Telygram! _(Looks about.)_ Say, I don't like the housekeepin' in this here joint. _Belle._ What's the matter? _Bill._ A woman ought t'unnerstan'--when a man's been out hustlin' all day, he wants good, warm, nourishin' food, an' he wants it quick. _Belle._ Well, sir, you see, sir, if I'd known exactly what hour you'd be in, sir! How would a slice of bread strike you? _Bill._ Hand it out! _Belle (gives him bread and he stuffs it. She sits on table.)_ Come here, Bill. You know, it looks nice, having you here. I had a little brother once. _Bill._ Youse did? _Belle._ I used to take care of him. If you're going to be a member of this family, I'll have to take care of you. _Bill._ Watcher mean? _Belle._ I used to wash the smut off his face before each meal. _Bill (disconcerted)._ Gee! Three times a day? Gawd a'mighty! _Belle._ I'll pay you for it, Bill. _Bill._ What'll youse pay? _Belle._ Well, I wonder. A kid that's had a stepfather to beat him and no one to love him! _(Puts her arm around him and kisses him gently on the cheek.)_ _Bill._ Holy smoke! _(Wonder and delight dawn on his face.)_ Say! I like that! _Belle._ Then it's a bargain? _Bill._ Sure! Put it there! _(They shake hands.)_ Does it begin to-night? _Belle._ No, I'm too tired to-night. We'll start out fresh in the morning. You must be tired too, Bill. You'd better go in and sleep. _(Leads him Right.)_ _Bill._ Say, Belle! _Belle._ Well? _Bill._ I like them kisses. _Belle (clasps him in her arms.)_ Poor little fellow! _(Kisses him again.)_ _Bill._ Gee, but this is like heaven! _Belle._ Good-night, Bill. _Bill._ Good-night. _(Exit, closes door.)_ _Belle (returns, sinks to table with a moan of exhaustion; then hearing Jack coming, sits up, listens, gets herself together and pretends to be busy.)_ Hello, Jack. _Jack (enters)._ Well, Belle? _Belle._ Did you get any work to-day? _Jack._ Fine luck to-day. I made a quarter, helping to load a truck. _Belle._ Is that all? _Jack._ Better than nothing. How goes it with you, Belle? _Belle._ Pretty well. _Jack._ Only pretty well? Isn't the rest doing you good? _Belle._ Some good, I think, Jack. _Jack._ Say, Belle! Do you know, I think you were much better after that imaginary journey we took the other night. Let's take another. _Belle (looking up with a feeble smile)._ So soon? _Jack._ I've got some more time-tables. _Belle._ Where's it to be? _Jack._ I'm tired of the Europe business. It takes so long, getting to Switzerland and Egypt. I believe in seeing America first.