_Dolly._ It's all right, Jack--since's we've caught on in time. _Jack._ No, no, don't misunderstand me. It was just that I didn't want to tell my family just yet. _Dad (starting forward)._ Why, you infernal jackass! _Jack._ Dad-- _Dad._ You have the impudence to come here and tell me that you promised to marry a waitress in a restaurant! _Jack._ Yes, Dad--- _Dad (raging)._ Are you mad? When you've just proven that you can't earn enough to fill your own belly? You come here whining for forgiveness, and then tell me you'll marry a girl of the streets-- _Jessie._ Dad! Stop! _Dolly._ Excuse me, Jack--we'll get out of this. _(Rises.)_ _Jessie._ No--wait! Please, Dad-- _Dad._ Let her go! There's no place for her here. _Dolly._ Come, Belle, _(Lifts her.)_ _Jessie (Hysterically)._ Dad, how can you be so cruel? _Dad._ Keep out of this, Jessie. _Jack._ If they go, I go too, Dad. _Dad._ Go, and good riddance to you. _Jack._ If I go, I'll never return. _Dad._ Has anybody asked you to? _Bob._ Wait a minute, Dad. _Dad._ Let me alone, Bob. I'll attend to this. _Jessie (rushing to Jack)._ Jack! Jack! Wait! _Dolly._ Come on, Belle! This is no place for us! _Jack._ I'll take her myself. _(Exits left with Belle)._ _Jessie._ Jack! Dad doesn't know what he's saying! _Dad._ Who says I don't know what I'm saying? Who says I'm not responsible for my own acts? Who says I have to be handled carefully? I'll have you all understand-- _Jessie (clutching Dad)._ Don't you see the girl's nearly dead? _Bill._ I'll get out too _(To Dad.)_ Say Mister--_(Dad stares at him)._ You're worse'n my stepfather! _(Exit with Dolly)._ _Jessie (hysterically)._ Dad! Dad! I beg you--have mercy. _(Flings herself sobing upon him)._ _Bob._ Really, Dad, you're treating him pretty badly! _Dad._ I haven't asked your opinion, sir! _Bob._ Well, I guess I'll go with him! _Dad._ As you please, sir! _(Bob exit. The Play-play begins to fade)._ _Will (in low voice)._ That's as far as I've done. _(A pause.)_ It's near the end. What do you think of it? _Pegyy._ Why, Will, you know what I told you before-- _Will (in a voice of despair)._ That it's all wrong! That I don't know how to write a play. That I've got to do it all over! _Peggy._ I never said that, Will. But I told you that you couldn't put an audience through all those harrowing adventures, and then pile an unhappy ending on top. You simply can't get away with such a proposition. _Will._ But surely, I can't have this play end happily! _Peggy._ Where's the law to prevent you? _Will._ The law of truth prevents me. _Peggy._ What do you mean? Couldn't Dad forgive Jack? _Will._ No! _Peggy._ Why not? _Will._ Because Dad hasn't forgiven me. _Peggy._ But Will, there are plenty of other Dads--and they aren't all so heartless. You'll simply have to choose another father for this play. You can't write for your own satisfaction--you've got to think about the box-office.