her to the table._) Now sit down here and listen--I'll tell you
about it. I'm going to tell my own story--a rich young fellow who has
a quarrel with his father and goes out into the world to make his
own way. I'm going to call him Jack, but he's really myself. Imagine
me as I was at twenty-one-when I was happy, care-free, full of fun.

_Peggy._ Oh, Will, I can't imagine you! I can't bring myself to
believe that you were ever rich and free!

_Will._ But I was, Peggy! And this will bring it all back to you.
When you read this manuscript you'll see me when I didn't know what
trouble meant-I'd never had to make an effort in my life, I couldn't
imagine what it would be to fail. Oh, what a wonderful time it was,
Peggy! It's been wonderful just to recall it here. I've pictured my
twenty-first birthday--I had a dinner party in the big drawing-
room of Dad's home! (_As Will goes on the Real-play fades, and the
Play-play comes slowly into sight._) There's Jessie, my sister, and
there's my cousin, Bob. He's a college professor who went out into
the world as a hobo in order to see life for himself. You see it's
all my story--my _own_ story! Only my name's to be Jack, you know!
Here's the manuscript! Read it!

(_Full light on the Play-play. The Real-play figures are in
darkness, visible only in silhouette. Will exchanges places with a
substitute concealed on upstage side of the desk, and then slips
below the level of the desk and exit Left, to make quick change for
entrance into Play-play in the role of Jack._)

_Jessie._ But Bob--