_Peggy._ Don't do that! We have so much trouble keeping it straight
anyway. _(Gathers up Mss. and replaces it on table)._

_Dad._ What's in the thing? Let me look at it. _(Starts to examine
it)._

_Peggy (in sudden alarm)._ No, no!

_Dad._ Hey? Why not?

_Peggy._ Not yet. Wait--Will has to revise it. You see--_(She
laughs.)_ He's got his local color wrong again.

_Dad (gazing from one to the other)._ What's the joke?

_Peggy._ You see, Dad--Will's been having a hard time, and it's made
him pessimistic. He's written a play, and he was ruining it with an
unhappy ending. But now--oh, now it has a happy ending! It'll be a
success! _(Rushes to Will.)_ Oh, Will, I see just how it goes! I've
got the very words! Let me write them, while they're fresh in my
mind! (Runs to table, takes pencil and paper.)

_Dad._ But what--

_Peggy._ Wait! Wait! Excuse us, please! It's so important! Here,
Bill--take your grandfather! Take him up on the roof and let him see
the view! Take him downstairs and let the beggar-kid sing for him! I
want just ten minutes to get this down! _(Pushes Dad and Bill off
Left.)_ Just ten minutes, please! _(Shuts them out.)_ Now, Will,