Florence. [Beyond the flats] Which should show you that people are talking.
Mrs. Pampinelli. Somebody up? [Nelly just shakes her head and relaxes.] Mr. Hossefrosse?
Mrs. Fell. The “damned, cheap gossip” line.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Listening keenly] Is he all right again?
Mrs. Fell. Yes, he’s all right now;—but it’s funny how that line has sent him up at every performance.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Turning to rejoin Mrs. Ritter and Twiller] It’s purely mental.
Hossefrosse. [From beyond the flats, violently] No! [The stage manager, over at the left, jumps to his feet, causing the hammer to fall from his pocket. The door-slam also falls, with a bang. The stage manager has been dozing, and the thunder of Mr. Hossefrosse’s outburst has considerably startled him. He comes forward at the left and looks over at Mrs. Fell, to inquire the cause of the disturbance.]
Mrs. Fell. [Motioning to him with her manuscript] Shush! [He looks about and then goes back and picks up the hammer and door-slam. As he resumes his seat he takes another glance around.]
Mrs. Ritter. [As Mrs. Pampinelli comes forward again at the right, between her and Twiller] You know, I felt like a perfect fool standing there in that door, but I couldn’t catch what you were saying. [Twiller laughs.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. Well, dear, I really don’t think the audience noticed it.