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CHAPTER XLVII 231 headache but to establish a craving for a narcotic drug that Belding hopes will put him out of the way as a rival for the love of Grace Benton. He gives Howard his further supply of the drug only on condition that he keep away from Grace and when Grace, who really loves him, reproaches him for his neglect, he realizes his slavery and in his half maddened condition seeks to kill Belding but is prevented by Grace, who aids him to overcome his devotion to the drug. The entire play hinges upon this single scene, and yet the scene itself has little or no value. It cannot be given too much prominence with- out getting it out of proportion to the play, but much can be done toward building it up. 3. Belding's action is deliberate and premeditated, but it is so quietly done that it is scarcely noticed at the time. We must do what we can to make it appear important, just as in fiction we would call especial attention to the action. In fiction we might write, "and little did Howard Kingdon realize as he went out of the office that in the tiny box he clutched in his hand lay untold misery and even the shadow of Death." With a sentence like that we should take particular notice of the incident and be watchful for the conse- quences. With pictured action we cannot do as much in this direc- tion. We can spoil it all by a lengthy and disturbing leader or we can give some emphasis to the scene that will add to its value and make it better remembered. It may be written in this manner: 7. Belding's office —Belding on—Howard ushered in—they greet— Howard tells of his headache—Belding sympathetic—reaches in desk and takes out hypodermic syringe—Howard stops him— says— Cut-in —"I'm afraid of morphine, Doctor." Belding laughs—returns syringe to case and puts on desk—rises and goes to medicine cabinet—looks back at Howard—face ma- lignant with hate—takes down a bottle—looks—shakes head— puts back—reaches for another—takes this and fills small box— comes down—gives Howard—gives directions—Howard thanks him and exits—Belding looks after him—face shows his hatred of the other—picks up syringe case—smiles—looks at door through which Howard left—tosses syringe on desk again— laughs. Played in tliis fashion the scene will have a greater value through emphasis and will be remembered in detail. It will be recalled that Howard refused a sub-cutaneous injection and told that he feared drugs and that Belding deliberately gave' him a narcotic that he might become a victim to the drug and laughed at the thought. Ad- ditional value could be given did Howard proffer and Belding accept a fee for the visit. 4. Belding is the antagonist in this story, not the usual curses- on-him villain, but the villain none the less, since his actions all tend to interpose obstacle to the hero's objective, and it is our design to make him as thoroughly disliked as possible. To accept a fee from his victim, to take pay for a betrayal, will give additional