This room—not too large—was the "front parlor" of a comfortable residence in down-town New York. Business, of the least attractive sort, and the slums long since have occupied the district. The building is a red-brick, low-stoop, English-basement house. The rear wall, which is the front of the dwelling, is pierced by two lofty windows, through which are seen the top of an iron railing, and a row of similar structures, fallen into decay, across the street. Between these windows, upon a low marble shelf, now holding a tray of cups and saucers, originally was a tall, gold-framed mirror. Over this hangs a blackboard, upon which has been chalked: "And so, to the end of history, hate shall breed hate, murder shall breed murder, until the gods create a race that can understand." Beneath the right window is a big radiator. Down stage R. are folding doors, partly open, or a large single door—whichever shall prove advisable. These—or this—lead to the main hall, and so to the basement, or upstairs, or to the front door, which slams solidly whenever it is closed. Left is a decrepit, white-marble mantel, with a "fake" fireplace. In front of this—in a jog, perhaps—a small platform, of the kind used in public schools. Upon this, a small table and a chair. Downstage of it, a geographical globe, suspended over which a wall-pad informing us that today is Wednesday. Above the mantel-shelf, another blackboard, upon which are some simple calculations, and the axiom, "Luck is work." In the center of the room is a long library table, with a brown cover, and with numerous kitchen chairs about it. On the table a reading lamp, a bowl of yellow, purple and brown chrysanthemums; and numerous books and magazines. Gilchrist has succeeded in making the old place comfortable and inviting. It is a combination of club, settlement house, school, reading room and lecture hall. Brown linoleum covers the floor, and there are brown denim curtains over the windows. A history chart hangs on the wall. There are book-shelves, and two or three big, comfortable chairs; a phonograph and, perhaps, even a motion picture machine.At Rise:It is just after seven o'clock on a brisk evening in late October, 1920.Grubby, seated down stage of the center table, is concealed behind a copy of "The Woman's Home Companion," which he has opened wide, and, holds in front of him.Mack, a shabby ne'er-do-well, between thirty and forty years old, opens the doors R., and peers in uncertainly. Reassured by the character of the room, he enters, and looks about him curiously. Even from the rear, it is evident that Grubby is a person of no authority, so Mack dismisses him, temporarily, and warms his hands over the radiator. Next he inspects the quotationbetween the windows, pauses at the phonograph, and arrives in front of the platform L. The three words on this blackboard interest him. He reads them, turns away, turns back, and reads them again. At last, he sniffs contemptuously, and, completing his circuit, stops on the left of Grubby.
This room—not too large—was the "front parlor" of a comfortable residence in down-town New York. Business, of the least attractive sort, and the slums long since have occupied the district. The building is a red-brick, low-stoop, English-basement house. The rear wall, which is the front of the dwelling, is pierced by two lofty windows, through which are seen the top of an iron railing, and a row of similar structures, fallen into decay, across the street. Between these windows, upon a low marble shelf, now holding a tray of cups and saucers, originally was a tall, gold-framed mirror. Over this hangs a blackboard, upon which has been chalked: "And so, to the end of history, hate shall breed hate, murder shall breed murder, until the gods create a race that can understand." Beneath the right window is a big radiator. Down stage R. are folding doors, partly open, or a large single door—whichever shall prove advisable. These—or this—lead to the main hall, and so to the basement, or upstairs, or to the front door, which slams solidly whenever it is closed. Left is a decrepit, white-marble mantel, with a "fake" fireplace. In front of this—in a jog, perhaps—a small platform, of the kind used in public schools. Upon this, a small table and a chair. Downstage of it, a geographical globe, suspended over which a wall-pad informing us that today is Wednesday. Above the mantel-shelf, another blackboard, upon which are some simple calculations, and the axiom, "Luck is work." In the center of the room is a long library table, with a brown cover, and with numerous kitchen chairs about it. On the table a reading lamp, a bowl of yellow, purple and brown chrysanthemums; and numerous books and magazines. Gilchrist has succeeded in making the old place comfortable and inviting. It is a combination of club, settlement house, school, reading room and lecture hall. Brown linoleum covers the floor, and there are brown denim curtains over the windows. A history chart hangs on the wall. There are book-shelves, and two or three big, comfortable chairs; a phonograph and, perhaps, even a motion picture machine.
At Rise:It is just after seven o'clock on a brisk evening in late October, 1920.
Grubby, seated down stage of the center table, is concealed behind a copy of "The Woman's Home Companion," which he has opened wide, and, holds in front of him.
Mack, a shabby ne'er-do-well, between thirty and forty years old, opens the doors R., and peers in uncertainly. Reassured by the character of the room, he enters, and looks about him curiously. Even from the rear, it is evident that Grubby is a person of no authority, so Mack dismisses him, temporarily, and warms his hands over the radiator. Next he inspects the quotationbetween the windows, pauses at the phonograph, and arrives in front of the platform L. The three words on this blackboard interest him. He reads them, turns away, turns back, and reads them again. At last, he sniffs contemptuously, and, completing his circuit, stops on the left of Grubby.
Mack
Hello ... you!
[Grubbylowers his paper, and reveals a sixty-year-old face, round, very red, and framed in a scraggly gray beard.]
[Grubbylowers his paper, and reveals a sixty-year-old face, round, very red, and framed in a scraggly gray beard.]
Is this Overcoat Hall?
Grubby
Yes.
Mack
I'm looking for Mr. Gilchrist.
Grubby
He ain't in, but he will be.
Mack
Are you working here?
Grubby
No.
Mack
Isanybodyworking here?
Grubby
Mary Margaret.
Mack
Who's she?
Grubby
A girl.
Mack
What girl?
Grubby
The girl that cleans. A lame girl. Her mother's the janitor. Have a seat. Somebody'll be along in a minute.
[And he resumes his magazine ... never completely abandoned. Mack, thrown upon his own resources, picks up one periodical after another, but Fortune does not smile. They prove to be "The Atlantic Monthly" ... "The Review of Reviews" ... "The Scientific American."]
[And he resumes his magazine ... never completely abandoned. Mack, thrown upon his own resources, picks up one periodical after another, but Fortune does not smile. They prove to be "The Atlantic Monthly" ... "The Review of Reviews" ... "The Scientific American."]
Mack
What are you reading?
Grubby
A piece about "Better Babies."
Mack
[Laughs]: Are you going into the baby business?
Grubby
No. I was a hansom driver.
Mack
Handsome! [The laugh becomes uproarious.]
Grubby
Ah ... hacks! I drove hacks ... man and boy ... forty years. Then taxis come in, and I went out!
Mack
What'd you do then?
Grubby
Took to drink.
Mack
Yeh; then drink went out.
Grubby
What'syourjob?
Mack
Well, I was in the movies. That is, I was going to be, but the fellow that was going to put up the money, his mother didn't die, after all.... Before that, I sold bricks ... a few weeks. I sold books, too. And life insurance. I never had any luck. Who wrote that, "Luck is Work"?
Grubby
Mr. Gilchrist.
Mack
Well, it isn't! I've worked atfiftythings, and look at me! I figure the world owesmea living, and here I am, waiting for a bite of grub and an overcoat! Is it true the boss'll give you an overcoat?
Grubby
He will if he's got one.
Mack
That's what a fellow told me. He said that's why they call this Overcoat Hall.
Grubby
Yes.
Mack
I suppose a hard-luck story's the proper spiel.
Grubby
You don't get no chance for a spiel. He don't ask you nothing. You just come, and help yourself, and talk things over ... if you want to. Coffee and sandwiches every night—and suppers and sermons on Wednesdays.
Mack
Preaching! [Looks at the wall pad, and reaches for his hat.] Wednesday. I'll be back Thursday.
Grubby
Not regular preaching! Just talks! Sometimes they's a picture show ... but the pictures is rotten! No shooting, or nothing! But you can always sneak a little snooze 'til you get to the hand-out!
[Mary Margaretenters through the open door R. Her two crutches are rubber-tipped, so her invasion is noiseless. She occupies herself with the cups and saucers C.Mary Margaretis fifteen, and pathetically pretty. The conspicuous feature of her costume is a pair of soiled gold slippers that once set off a ball gown.]
[Mary Margaretenters through the open door R. Her two crutches are rubber-tipped, so her invasion is noiseless. She occupies herself with the cups and saucers C.Mary Margaretis fifteen, and pathetically pretty. The conspicuous feature of her costume is a pair of soiled gold slippers that once set off a ball gown.]
Mack
Don't he try to reform you?
Grubby
Naw! The way he talks, you'd think you was as good as him. He says to me, the other night, he says, "You're a good man yet, Grubby," he says. "You're strong and healthy," he says, "and, if you learned to drive a taxi, all the best people in New York would be telephoning for your cab. I'll lend you the money," he says. Gee; he almost had me started!
Mack
What's the catch?
Grubby
I don't know.
Mack
There must be graft in it somewhere.
Grubby
If you ask me, I think the poor gent's got a few nuts in his nose-bag. A little bit batty. That's whatIsay!
Mary Margaret
[Turning down]: And that's what you got no right to say, Grubby!
Grubby
[ToMack]: Mary Margaret.
Mary Margaret
He's been good to you, ain't he?
Grubby
That's why we think he's nutty. What's he do it for?
Mary Margaret
'Cause he loves you.
Grubby
What for?
Mary Margaret
God knows! [She has brought down a cup and saucer, with other utensils, and is clearing and setting a place at one end of the table. With this exclamation, she locates the cup somewhat forcibly.] After seven o'clock now, and the meeting in half an hour, and he ain't had a bite since morning!
Mack
Whereishe?
Mary Margaret
He went to see a man that killed himself. [Macklaughs] I mean ... tried to. It was in the papers this afternoon, and Mr. Gilchrist says: "I want to talk to that man." [Mack'sinterposition has brought his words to her mind, and reflecting on them, she explodes.] Graft!! Why he didn't have the rent money yesterday, and he was desprit! He ain't had money to get himself a pair of shoes, and nobody helps him, or comes near him, but you bums that roast him behind his back! [Goodkindappears in the doorway R.]
Grubby
I didn't roast him. I just said he was crazy.
Goodkind
[Crisply]: Mr. Gilchrist?
Mary Margaret
He'll be here any minute. Won't you come in?
Goodkind
Thanks.
[He comes forward a few steps, and looks atGrubby,who, after an instant, takes refuge behind his Home Companion.Goodkindcrosses toMack,who turns up stage. He surveys the blackboard.Mary Margaretfinishes her task.]
[He comes forward a few steps, and looks atGrubby,who, after an instant, takes refuge behind his Home Companion.Goodkindcrosses toMack,who turns up stage. He surveys the blackboard.Mary Margaretfinishes her task.]
Mary Margaret
[Offering a periodical toGoodkind]: Take a magazine, and sit down. [With a nod, he accepts.] I got to go make the coffee. [ToGrubby] You can come and carry it up in about fifteen minutes. [She turns and catchesMackfilching a loaf of sugar.] Graft!! ... Well, you ought to know! [She exits R., singing "I'm a Pilgrim." By now,Goodkindis reading in a big chair L.Mackglances at him, and comes down toGrubby.]
Mack
Think she'll tellhim?
Grubby
Naw! Anyway, he don't care! He says we're all brothers in God.
Mack
Gee!
Grubby
That's what he told Jimmie Curran—brothers in God—and Jimmie just up for pinchin' a guy's pants.Jimmie lives across from his room upstairs, and Jimmie says he's clean loco. [Goodkindnotes name and address on the margin of his magazine.] Guess what he's got in the back yard!
Mack
What?
Grubby
Tennis. And handball games for children. And, in the other two houses, he's got flats ... with bathtubs ... and the rents ain't what they ask now for stalling a horse. Why wouldn't I say he was crazy? Everybody says so but Mary Margaret!
[Danielenters R. He is shabby, but beaming. He carries two books, which he lays on some piece of furniture up R.; after which he removes his overcoat, and hangs it over an old umbrella already suspended from a wall-rack down stage of the door.]
[Danielenters R. He is shabby, but beaming. He carries two books, which he lays on some piece of furniture up R.; after which he removes his overcoat, and hangs it over an old umbrella already suspended from a wall-rack down stage of the door.]
Daniel
Hello, Grubby! You're early! And you've brought a friend! That's fine! [He shakes hands withMack.] You're very welcome! [Sees and crosses toGoodkind] And Mr. Goodkind! Well! You're welcome, too! [Shakes hands] Have you come down to look us over?
Goodkind
[His eyes indicating the others]: I've come down on personal business.
Daniel
Oh, yes! [Turns] Grubby, there's a box of books in the hall. How would you and your friend like to——
Grubby
I promised to help with the coffee.
Daniel
I see. [Grubbyexits. ToMack,who has been stealing surreptitious glances at the overcoat] And you?
Mack
I just wanted to speak to you a minute.
Daniel
All right. After the meeting.
Mack
I wanted to ask you——
Daniel
After the meeting![Turns back toGoodkind] Sit down.
Goodkind
[Sitting]: Thanks.
[Mack—resentful, unobserved, uncertain of getting the coat honestly—is sorely tempted. One pull, one step, and he is safe from work and denial. During the following, standing almost in the doorway, he is drawing the garment toward him.]
[Mack—resentful, unobserved, uncertain of getting the coat honestly—is sorely tempted. One pull, one step, and he is safe from work and denial. During the following, standing almost in the doorway, he is drawing the garment toward him.]
Daniel
[ToGoodkind]: I'm glad you dropped in tonight, because I've been intending to call on you, but there'sso much to do here—[The coat comes off the rack, and with it, the umbrella, which falls with a crash. Both men rise, discoveringMack,coat in hand.] Hello! I thought you'd gone.
Mack
No; I—I—wanted——
Daniel
You wanted my coat.
Mack
[Advancing with a glad smile of pretended relief thatDanielhas found the simple explanation]: Yes ... that's what I wanted to ask you.
Daniel
I'm so glad you said so. [Mackshows surprise.] Because, if you hadn't and I hadn't understood, you might have been tempted to take it without asking—and then you'd've been so sorry and ashamed. A man couldn't come into another man's house, and be welcomed, and then take the other man's coat, without losing his self-respect ... could he? And, of course, if we're going to pull ourselves together, and get out of a hole, wemustkeep our self-respect.
Mack
I wouldn't steal——
Daniel
You couldn't.... It's your coat.... You asked for it, and I gave it to you.... When you've worn it... into a good job ... come back and help me give another to someone who needs it as you do.
Mack
I will.
Daniel
Of course you will. [Helps him into the coat, and then shakes his hand.] Good-night.
Mack
[Hesitates, amazed]: Good-night. [Danielturns L., and with a gesture expressive of the conviction that this man is mad,Mackexits.]
Goodkind
Well, I'll be damned! [Daniellaughs] He won't come back! Not one in ten would come back!
Daniel
All right!... That coat cost twenty dollars. If one in tendoescome back, we've made a man for two hundred dollars. Isn't it worth the price?
Goodkind
Maybe ... if a man'sgotthe price! Have you?
Daniel
Like our friend ... that's what I wanted to ask you.
Goodkind
It's not what I wanted to askyou.
Daniel
I'm rather badly in need of money, and my father——
Goodkind
Your father understood you well enough to leave you only an income. I foolishly turned over some of the principal, and, in three months, you threw away twenty thousand dollars. You could have had a big salary, and you threwthataway. You're an utter damned waster—if you're no worse!
Daniel
What do you mean ... worse?
Goodkind
You'll soon find out what I mean! You've had my son's wife down here, haven't you?
Daniel
Once or twice.
Goodkind
Or three times ... or a dozen!Heknows!
Daniel
I've asked her not to come again.
Goodkind
Andhe'sasked her ... but she's coming when she likes. She says so. Because she's in love with you.... God knows what women see in your kind of man! There was Pearl Hennig——
Daniel
Please!
Goodkind
Oh, my son told me! And I hear ... in the neighborhood... that you've worse women than that running here! Women of the streets!
Daniel
Not many. They're welcome, but they don't come.
Goodkind
Well, that'syourbusiness! And if your neighbors get sick of having a resort of this kind in their midst, and drive you out,that'syour business! But my son's wife——
Daniel
Isherbusiness!
Goodkind
Andhis! Only Jerry's in no condition to settle the matter! He's broken down from worry and overwork, and you're partly responsible, and that puts it up to me! You can take this as a final warning! If you see Clare again, I'll act, and I'll act quick! That's all! Good-night! [He gathers up his coat and hat, and crosses to the door.]
Daniel
[Waking from a reverie, and turning R.] Oh! Mr. Goodkind!
Goodkind
[Expecting capitulation. Comes down R.]: Yes?
Daniel
How about the money?
Goodkind
You've had what's coming to you!
Daniel
But that'snothing! I pay half that for these crazy houses! And I've gone terribly in debt fitting them up!
Goodkind
With bath tubs and tennis courts!
Daniel
People must have baths.
Goodkind
These dirty immigrants!
Daniel
The dirtier they are, the worse they need 'em. I want to show them how to live, and I want to show other people that you don't have to make a pigpen to make a profit!
Goodkind
Are you making a profit?
Daniel
Enormous! And, to go on, I've got to have twenty-two thousand dollars.
Goodkind
Oh, is that all? Twenty-two thousand dollars to go on making a fool of yourself! Well, you won't get it!
Daniel
Not even as an advance?
Goodkind
Not a penny!
Daniel
Don't drive me to——
Goodkind
To what?
Daniel
[Rather at a loss]: To ask for an accounting!
Goodkind
[Hardly believing his own ears]: To ask for ... WHAT? [This is the last straw.] Now listen to me! I've stood all I'm going to stand! You've run amuck! You've become dangerous to yourself ... and me ... and the neighborhood! You're going to stop it, and you're going to stop now!
Daniel
That's your mistake.
Goodkind
Is it? A year ago you gave me twenty-four hours to sign a paper, and I did it, and it cost me two million dollars! Tonight I give you thirty minutes to shut up this place, and quit seeing my daughter, and if you don't do it——
Daniel
As I won't!
Goodkind
I'll be here inside of half an hour with a doctor!
Daniel
And then?
Goodkind
Then we'll file a petition to have you declared incompetent! [He starts R.]
Daniel
Mr. Goodkind, you don't, mean that! You don't mean that because I'm trying to help——
Goodkind
Help ... whom? Strikers, and street women, and general riff-raff! And you don't even helpthem... because nobodycan! And, if youcould, anddid, how in the name of God would that help the Community? If I find you're still crazy in half an hour, I'llsayyou're crazy, andI'll prove it! [He goes to the door.] Think it over! [As he is about to exit, he narrowly escapes collision with a neatly-dressed, capable-looking man, who apologizes, in nearly correct English, and, with a contemptuous glance, crosses to up C.]
The Man
Excuse me!
Goodkind
All right! [He follows the man back into the room.] Haven't I seen you somewhere before?
The Man
Yes, sir. My name's Umanski.
Goodkind
Umanski? [He remembers]You'renot the Pole who came to my house last year with a delegation?
Umanski
Yes.
Goodkind
Well, I'll be——[Danielfills his pipe from a jar on the mantelpiece L.]
Umanski
Mr. Gilchrist tell me stay in New York. He's teach me English, and find me good job. I'm work now eight hours on the docks, and six on myself. [Goodkindagain starts to go.]
Daniel
Mr. Goodkind! [Goodkindturns] Umanski's got an invention. If you'll see it——
Goodkind
I'll seeyouin ... half an hour! [He exits.]
Umanski
What'shedoing down here, Mr. Gilchrist?
Daniel
He says I'm crazy, and he's going to shut up this place. Of course, he won't. [He opens a book.]
Umanski
Don't be too sure.
Daniel
Nonsense! [He sits] I made him angry. [He marks a passage.] And somebody's told him a lot of lies!
Umanski
Somebody's told a good many people lies! Yesterday I heard a man say you run this house to ... to ... [He hesitates.Danlooks up.] ... to get women!
Daniel
Who said that?
Umanski
A wop named Malduca.
Daniel
Oh, yes! I took his daughter in here once ... for a week ... until he got sober.
Umanski
They's a good many like that.
Daniel
Oh, not a good many!
Umanski
Enough to make trouble. Why not you carry a pistol?
Daniel
It's generally men with pistols that get shot.
Umanski
One of them fellows get you——[EnterMary Margaret.]
Daniel
[Warning him]: Sh!
Mary Margaret
I s'pose you ain't had any supper.
Daniel
Not yet. [Grubbyenters with a tray, from whichMary Margarettransfers dishes to the table.]
Umanski
I brought you some money.
Daniel
Money?
Umanski
My boss he give me another raise. He gonna makemeboss after while. So I like to begin pay back what you lend me. [Takes out bills.]
Daniel
Wait 'til you've sent for your family.
Umanski
I'm gonna send now. My big boy I'm gonna send school ... college, maybe. That pump I make she goes fine. I show my boss ... like you say ... because he know about coal mines ... and he say if she work she save whole lots of lives and money. She work, all right! [He has put down the bills, and brought forth an English grammar.] How about I go upstairs and study?
Daniel
Sure! Go right up to my room! I'll be along after the meeting! [Umanskiexits.Grubbystarts to follow.] Where are you going, Grubby?
Grubby
Sandwiches! [He exits.]
Mary Margaret
[Down L.]: Your supper's ready!
Daniel
Thanks. [Looks up] What's this we're wearing? Golden slippers?
Mary Margaret
Uh-huh! I took 'em out of the barrel of clothes that pretty lady sent.
Daniel
[Sitting at table]: Supper with Cinderella!
Mary Margaret
[Setting dish before him]: Gee, I love that story! [She sits beside him, facing front.] When you tell it to me, you make me believe I'm her.
Daniel
If you believe it ... youare.
Mary Margaret
I guess believin' ain't never goin' to makemedance.
Daniel
You can't tell ... if you believe hard enough.
Mary Margaret
That's what you said before, and I've tried, but, somehow, it don't work.
Daniel
That's the very time to go on. If we stop, just because it don't work, that isn't faith.
Mary Margaret
No; I s'pose not.
Daniel
And faith moves mountains. Once upon a time there was a woman who'd been sick twelve years.
Mary Margaret
What was the matter with her?
Daniel
I don't know. But there was a Man in that city who said He could even make the dead rise. And everybody laughed at Him ... as they would today. But the woman didn't laugh, and one morning, when He was passing her house, she got up and followed Him ... just to touch the hem of His cloak. And what do you think?
Mary Margaret
I duno.
Daniel
She was cured. And the Man said——
Mary Margaret
Oh, now, I know. "Thy faith hath made thee whole."
Daniel
That's right.
Mary Margaret
Could God do that for me?
Daniel
Why not?
Mary Margaret
It would be an awful big favor.
Daniel
But if He doesn't, you must go on. If faith doesn't heal our hurts, it helps us to bear them. And that's almost the same thing, isn't it?
Mary Margaret
[Doubtfully]: Yes.
Daniel
Like believing you're Cinderella.
Mary Margaret
Yes.
Daniel
We can't decide what we want, and then be angry and doubtful because it doesn't happen our way. Because, all the time it's happening His way. The only thing we can be sure of is that He knows what's best.
Mary Margaret
That's right.... You mean, if God wants me to be well, some day He'll make me well?
Daniel
If you believe hard enough.
Mary Margaret
And if He don't?
Daniel
Thenthat'sright ... if you believe hard enough.
Mary Margaret
I will, Mr. Gilchrist. [She rises] You ain't touched your supper.
Daniel
I've had plenty.
Mary Margaret
I'll send Grubby up for the tray.