Mrs. Fell. They’re calling for you, Betty! [Someone in the audience can be heard calling Mrs. Pampinelli’s name.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. Here, Nelly, take Clara on for a bow!
Mrs. Fell. [Impatiently] They’re calling for you, dear! [Mrs. Sheppard hastily throws her veil back, dramatically.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. I’ll take one alone, afterwards! [The applause swells again.] Go on, Clara!
Mrs. Fell. [Extending her right hand] Come on, dear!
Mrs. Sheppard. [Giving Mrs. Fell her left hand] Oh, I don’t feel that I should! [Mrs. Fell keeps the door open, and Clara droops through, bowing. Then Mrs. Fell closes the door and Mrs. Pampinelli turns to the left.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. Keep it up, Mr. Spindler!
Spindler. Keep it up!
Hossefrosse. [Thrusting open the left door] Mrs. Pampinelli! [There is a vision through the door of the various artists bowing towards the back wall, all the ladies laden with flowers.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. All right, dear! I’m coming! [Hossefrosse closes the door, and Mrs. Pampinelli deftly touches her hair and flings her train out to its full length behind her. Then she speaks in a loud voice, so that she may be heard by those on the other side of the flats.] Everybody stand to one side! Stand to one side, everybody! [She pulls open the left door and stands, smiling: then she steps through the door; and, instantly, the curtain falls with a deafening crash. The door closes after her. Nelly Fell gives a piercing scream. Spindler comes rushing down from the left to the left door.]