Mrs. Pampinelli. [Brushing him aside, to the left, and rushing up at the left] My God! did anyone ever hear of such stupidity!
Mrs. Pampinelli, Mrs. Fell and Spindler, together.
Mrs. Pampinelli. I’ll go on at the side here!
Mrs. Fell. What’s the matter, Mr. Spindler?
Spindler. [Shouting after Mrs. Pampinelli] He says he can’t get it up! [Mrs. Sheppard comes through the right doorway with an armload of American Beauty roses, and stands looking anxiously from side to side. Teddy follows her out and stands at her right, discussing the incident. Florence opens the left door and comes out. Her arms are full of tiger-lilies. She moves to the right and speaks to Mrs. Sheppard, nervously.]
Stage Manager. You can’t get through there, lady! [Twiller comes out the left door.]
Mrs. Pampinelli and Stage Manager, together;
Mrs. Pampinelli. I must get through somewhere!
Stage Manager. That tormentor’s too narrow there!
Mrs. Pampinelli, Stage Manager and Mrs. Fell, together.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Turning frantically and rushing forward again at the left] I’ll try the other side! He says it’s too narrow there!
Stage Manager. I don’t know how you’re going to do it!
Mrs. Fell. [As Mrs. Pampinelli sweeps between her and Spindler] What is it he says is broken, Betty? [Mrs. Pampinelli rushes over towards the right. She literally sweeps Twiller, who is in her path, out of the way, and he falls backward over a stage-brace, onto the floor. Mrs. Fell picks up her dress and runs after Mrs. Pampinelli.]
Spindler. [Outrunning Mrs. Fell] The guy-rope!
Mrs. Fell. Well, why doesn’t he fix it! Betty! Betty dear! [Mrs. Pampinelli rushes up at the extreme right and tries desperately to find a way of getting through; but everything is solidly masked. Hossefrosse comes out the left door, and the stage manager comes forward at the left and stands looking after Mrs. Pampinelli.]