Mrs. R. [Passing above him to the piano at the right] Crazy thing. [He moves over to the little table at the left, rummaging in his pocket for a cigar, and Mrs. Ritter commences to rummage in a sewing-basket on the piano. This basket is Mrs. Ritter at a glance, all green and yellow satin, fraught with meaningless bows and weird-looking knots. She undoubtedly made it herself, and it must have taken her months. But she’s a practical woman; at least she thinks she is; and the sewing-basket helps in a way to sustain the conviction. Poor Paula! As one looks at her and listens to her he appreciates the fortune of the circumstance that there is some sane and capable person between her and the world; and as he more closely observes the sewing-basket, he rejoices in the blessing of the sane and capable person’s ability to spare her the necessity of having to make her own clothes. Although, as a matter of fact, she would look lovely in anything; for Paula is pretty—charmingly so. And her hair is marvelous. So gold—and satiny. She is wearing a dress now of lime-green silk with a standing collar edged with black fur, and gold-colored slippers.] Did you have anything to eat, Fred?
Ritter. Yes, I ate on the train. What’s this Jenny was saying? Something about a show you’re in?
Mrs. R. Oh,—[Looking at him] did she tell you?
Ritter. I wondered what had happened to the furniture when I came in.
Mrs. R. [Coming around and forward towards the little table below the piano] Yes, there’s a rehearsal here tonight. We have it every Tuesday and Thursday. Of course, it’s just to run over the lines, because we’ve done it already at the Civic Club on the fourteenth. And, my dear, it was perfectly marvelous.
Ritter. What kind of a show is it?
Mrs. R. [Standing back of the table] Oh, it’s just a one-act play,—in one act, you know. And it was really quite wonderful. [She gives an inane laugh.] I had no idea. [She touches her hair and turns towards the back of the room again.]
Ritter. How did you happen to get into it? [Jenny comes along the hallway from the left carrying a glass of water on a small tray.]
Mrs. R. [Turning to him] Well now, wait till I tell you—[She sees Jenny.] Oh, thanks, Jenny. [Jenny starts out again.] Jenny, will you go to the top of the stairs and see if I left the lights burning in my room.
Jenny. [Turning and starting towards the foot of the stairs in the right hallway; and setting the tray on the little stand as she goes] Yes, mam.