_Will (drawing her to table)._ What do you think of my fourth act? _Peggy._ Why dear, it's just as I said about Act One, you need more life in the scene, more variety and color. _Will._ But how can it be got? _Peggy._ I told you before--you must bring in Gladys. _Will._ Gladys at this stage of the play? _Peggy._ Of course! You're bringing home Belle, and you want a character contrast--the daughter of the tenements and the princess of the plutocracy. Gladys is still in love with Jack, and here he's coming home with another girl! _Will._ Oh, Peggy, that's so cheap! _Peggy._ Wait, Will--let me work it out for you. I can show you what I mean. Let me have your pencil. _Will (groans)._ Go on! _Peggy._ See now--it's the same scene--_(begins to write, Will reading over her shoulder. Play-play begins to appear)._ Only Gladys is pouring tea-- _Will._ Isn't that just like her! Always pouring tea! _Peggy._ Shut up! There's Jessie and Bob. Gladys has her very finest society manner--she wouldn't for the world let anyone think that she was excited by the telephone-message. _(full light on Play-play)_ _Gladys._ Well, Jessie, I have had a most enjoyable evening. But I must be going now. _Jessie._ What? When Jack is coming? _Gladys._ Oh, would Jack want to see me? Surely not! No, I must really go. _(rises and starts to door)._ Good-bye! _Will._ You're not going to have her go off? _Peggy._ Wait! Let me write! _Jessie (rises, runs and stops Gladys)._ No, dear! Please wait! _Gladys._ What for? _Jessie._ Do a favor for me, Gladys. I know Jack still loves you. I want you to stay here! I want you to hear it from his own lips. Let me hide you behind this screen _(starts towards screen with her)._ When Jack comes in, I'll speak about you-- _Will (vehemently)._ That won't do! _(Gladys and Jessie stop.)_ _Peggy._ Why not? _Will._ It's rotten! _Peggy._ But I want her to do it! _(Gladys and Jessie start towards screen again.)_ _Will._ I won't have it I say! It's undignified! _Peggy._ Oh, don't be silly, Will! _Will._ I say I won't have it! Let Gladys go on pouring tea! _(Gladys starts towards tea table.)_ _Peggy._ Let them hide, I say! _(Gladys starts to screen.)_ _Will._ Stop, I say! _(Gladys stops, stands dazed and helpless.)_ _Peggy._ Why can't you give me a chance to write? _Will._ I can't stand it, I tell you! _Peggy._ But I want to show you how it would go. _Will._ I don't want to see it! I won't read such things! _Peggy._ But if I'm to have Gladys at all-- _Will._ You can't have her! She's got no business in my play! _(He leaps up in fury.)_ To hell with her, I say--to hell with her! _(Gladys turns and flees off with a scream; the Play-play fades.)_ _Peggy._ Will, dear, _why_ must you be so unreasonable? _Will._ Now see, do you want to read what I've written, or don't you? _Peggy._ Yes, dear, of course. _Will._ Well then, drop this tomfoolery and go on! _Peggy (resignedly)._ All right, I'll do it.