Teddy. [Shouting, beyond the flats] Curtain!

Hossefrosse. Take up the curtain!

Twiller. Take it up! [There is a babel of voices beyond the flats. Then the left door is thrust violently open, and Mrs. Pampinelli looks out.]

Mrs. Pampinelli. [Harshly, to Spindler] What’s the matter with the curtain?

Spindler. [In a panic of excitement] Something’s broke! [The stage manager rushes on from the left and comes forward.]

Mrs. Pampinelli. [Coming out through the door and calling to the stage manager, whom she hasn’t seen yet] Take up the curtain, Mr. Stage Manager!

Stage Manager. I can’t take it up, the guy-rope’s broken! [He goes up at the left.]

Mrs. Pampinelli. What? [Mrs. Fell comes running through the right door, carrying her basket of flowers, and crosses towards the left.]

Mrs. Fell and Spindler, together.

Mrs. Fell. What is it, Betty?

Spindler. [To Mrs. Pampinelli] He says the guy-rope’s broken!