CULVER ( intimidated, as she goes ). Look here, hurricane! ( He rushes out after her .)

Enter Hildegarde and Tranto, back .

HILDEGARDE ( seeing the room empty ). Well, I thought I heard them.

TRANTO ( catching noise of high words from the boudoir .) I fancy I do hear them.

HILDEGARDE. Perhaps we'd better go.

TRANTO. But I want to speak to you—just for a moment.

HILDEGARDE ( moving uneasily ). What about?

TRANTO. I don't know. Anything. It doesn't matter what ... I don't hear them now.

HILDEGARDE ( listening and hearing nothing; reassured ). I should have thought you wouldn't have wanted to come here any more for a long time.

TRANTO. Why?