Enter Tranto, back .
TRANTO. Good evening.
HILDEGARDE ( turning slightly in her seat and giving him her left hand, the right still holding a pen ). Good evening. Excuse me one moment.
TRANTO. All right about my dining here to-night? (Hildegarde nods .) Larder equal to the strain?
HILDEGARDE. Macaroni.
TRANTO. Splendid.
HILDEGARDE. Beefsteak.
TRANTO. Great heavens! ( imitates sketchily the motions of cutting up a piece of steak. Shaking hands with John, who has risen ). Well, John. How are things? Don't let me disturb you. Have a cigarette.
JOHN ( flattered ). Thanks. ( As they light cigarettes .) You're the first person here that's treated me like a human being.
TRANTO. Oh!