Twiller. [Dropping his cane, in his excitement] I can’t take him now, I’ve got a cue coming right here in a minute! [Spindler comes rushing down from the left.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. Here, Mr. Spindler, take Teddy over to the door, where he’ll get some air! He’s sick. Look at the color of him. [She hands him to Spindler, who half carries him up at the left; and she and Twiller follow on behind them.] Hold on to him, now, Mr. Spindler.
Mrs. Fell. [Turning back towards the right door, and addressing Hossefrosse, who has returned to his former position down at the right] I always said he wasn’t strong enough for that part! [She just gets past the right door when it is frantically opened and Mrs. Ritter thrusts her head out.]
Mrs. Ritter. [Breathlessly] Mr. Twiller! [The door closes again.]
Mrs. Fell. [Running towards the left] Mr. Twiller! They’re waiting for you!
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Rushing forward at the left] What is it?
Mrs. Fell. [In a perfect frenzy] They’re waiting for Mr. Twiller!
Mrs. Pampinelli. Mr. Twiller! [He snatches up his cane from the floor, but the hook of it catches in the stage-brace, and he has considerable yanking to do to get it loose. Mrs. Fell raps on the left door.] Go on, Mr. Twiller, for Heaven’s sake! the stage is waiting! [She pulls the door open for him. He straightens his hat and then raps on the wing beside the door.] Oh, go on! never mind rapping! that’s been done! [He steps through the door and she slams it after him, catching his left arm and hand. The cane is in his left hand, and it falls at Mrs. Pampinelli’s feet. She pulls the door open again to release his arm; then gives the door a definite slam. A burst of applause greets Twiller’s entrance. Mrs. Pampinelli is in a perfect wrath. She sweeps across towards the right, and back again all the way across to the left; then turns and starts back towards the right. As she passes the left door she sees Twiller’s cane, and, realizing in a flash that he will have need of it in his scene, she picks it up, opens the left door slightly, and flings it in onto the stage. Then she continues on towards the right, turns and crosses back again to the left, holding up her skirt and bristling with temper.]
Mrs. Fell. [Back at the right door, speaking to Hossefrosse, down at the right] How are my eyes? Instead of paying attention to his part!
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Coming across to the right] People rehearsing their cues a thousand times, and then don’t know them when they hear them! It’s positively disgusting! [She turns and goes back again to the left, turns, and starts back to the right. Hossefrosse tiptoes towards her.]