_DEACON on sofa; MRS. T. up C.; MISS A. R. 3 E.; HELEN L. 2 E.; DAISY L. 2 E.; WHEELER R. 2 E.; PETE and BILLY L. 1 E._
Scene 1.--_A street in 1st Grooves. Practicable door R., in flat. Soft music throughout scene. Time, night._
=Nellie.= (_complainingly_) Oh, Mamma, shall we never find papa's home?
=Mrs. D.= (_sadly_) I hope so darling, but you must be patient.
=Nellie.= I will, dear mamma. But I think papa was real mean to run away and leave us.
=Mrs. D.= Hush, my child, that is naughty. You must remember that no matter what papa does, you are still his little daughter, and must love him and be good.
=Nellie.= I am good, and I try to love him. But I can never love him as I love you.
=Mrs. D.= (_embraces NELLIE_) Heaven bless you, my darling. You are the only treasure left me.
=Wheeler.= (_back of scene, near door_) You will attend to it, then?
=Mrs. D.= (_starts as though bewildered_) That voice! (_speaks to herself. NELLIE walks to L. 1 E._)
=Wheeler.= (_within_) If you see to it in the morning that will answer.
=Mrs. D.= (_listens; takes a step nearer the door_) It is he, I cannot be mistaken.
=Wheeler.= (_within_) All right, I must be off.
=Mrs. D.= He is coming out. Nellie, pet, (_NELLIE runs to her_) please run down to the corner, (_points off R._) and see that no one comes this way for a few moments. (Exit _NELLIE, R. 1 E., MRS. D. follows her until she reaches L. C. behind door in flat where she remains standing_)
=Wheeler.= (_opening door slightly_) Good night. (_passes out and starts toward L. 1 E._)
=Mrs. D.= (_slightly advancing_) George! Husband!
=Wheeler.= (_starts; turning quickly, recognizes MRS. D._) What! you here?
=Mrs. D.= (_tremulously_) Yes, but why that frown? (_pleadingly_) Oh, George, you are not sorry to see me, are you?
=Wheeler.= (_evasively_) What brought you here?
=Mrs. D.= The desire to find you--to be with my husband.
=Wheeler.= (_coldly_) Now that you have found him, what do you propose doing?
=Mrs. D.= Staying with him and fulfilling my wifely vows.
=Wheeler.= (_vexed_) I thought we had parted never to meet again.
=Mrs. D.= (_astonished_) Why, George, what have I done to merit this cruelty? What is the meaning of this? (_with pathos_) In Heaven's name, speak! (_WHEELER hesitates_) Tell me, or my heart will break. (_places hand affectionately upon WHEELER'S shoulder_)