_Will._ We can jolly her along for a month yet!

_Peggy._ The landlady and the grocer--we can work forever! _(Child
tosses restlessly in sleep and murmurs.)_

_Peggy (rises and goes to cot, and soothes child)._ There, there,
Bill. _(To Will, who rises.)_ Dear, he's feverish.

_Will._ Are you sure?

_Peggy._ Oh, I ought to get the doctor!

_Will._ We already owe the doctor.

_Peggy._ I know--but he'd come if I asked him to.

_Will._ What good could he do? He'd only tell us what we already
know--that you can't keep a child well if you shut him up in a
tenement room in hot summer weather, and feed him on beans and
prunes.

_Peggy._ Will, listen to me. I can stand anything else--but if Bill
gets sick, we have to give up! Do you understand? I couldn't endure
that--I----

_Will (wildly)._ Why do we have to start that now? I want to finish
the play! _(Drags her to work-table.)_ Come! Sit down here and let's
get busy! Right off! Not another word! _(They sit side by side.)_
I've a scene here with Bill. I want to know what you think of it.