Mrs. Pampinelli. [In the right hallway] Be careful of those jonquils. Now, be careful, Theodore! Now go back and fetch the others. [Coming into view, and seeing Jenny coming in again at the left door] Oh, you’re up, Jenny, aren’t you! [She comes through the center-door, carrying her fan and an armload of orchids and red chrysanthemums, and wearing an enormous flowing cape of ruffled black lace, touched all over with tiny circular sequins in gold. Her dress, of course, is the ruby-velvet one of the preceding act.]
Jenny. Yes, mam, I’m up.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Hastening to the table below the piano] I’m so glad; I hope I haven’t roused you. [She puts her fan on the piano and sets all the flowers down on the table.] Will you go out and get those flowers from my chauffeur, Jenny?
Jenny. [Going out through the center-door into the right hallway] Yes, mam.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Arranging the flowers on the table] He’s set them right down there in the hallway. I came right on in when I found the door unlocked; I was afraid you’d be asleep.
Jenny. No, mam, I was waitin’ up.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Sweeping around to her left and up to the center-door] Well, that’s perfectly angelic of you I’m sure. [She stands on the left side of the center-door and looks out into the right hallway.] Can you manage, dear?
Jenny. [Appearing from the right] I think so. [She struggles through the center-door carrying an enormous horseshoe, made of red and white carnations and ferns. It is at least four feet high, set upon an easel, and across the front of it is a strip of white-satin ribbon ten inches wide with the word “SUCCESS” inscribed upon it in blue-velvet letters. She is also carrying a huge basket of jonquils, and a star made of white pansies. This last touch is fastened upon a violet easel.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. Let me help you, child. [She takes the basket of jonquils and the star of pansies from Jenny.] Now, set that right down there. [She indicates a point in front of the mantelpiece for the horseshoe, and Jenny crosses in front of her with it.] I want Mrs. Ritter to see it first, when she comes in,—it’s so appropriate. [She sets the basket of jonquils on the piano.] I suppose we can put these down anywhere here until she comes, can’t we? [She sets the easel of pansies down on the floor at the right of the table below the piano.]
Jenny. [Having set the horseshoe down in front of the mantelpiece] This way, Mrs. Pampinelli?