Ritter. [Quietly] She’s acting again.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Withering him with a glance] You barbarian! [To Mrs. Ritter] Pull yourself together, dear.
Mrs. Ritter. Oh, I just can’t, Mrs. Pampinelli.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Addressing Ritter directly, and indicating Mrs. Ritter] Look at the state of emotion you’ve got this poor girl into!
Ritter. She’s an emotional actress. [Mrs. Ritter bursts forth again.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. Savage! [To Mrs. Ritter] Let me get you something, darling.
Mrs. Ritter. Call Jenny.
Mrs. Pampinelli. Yes, dear. [She crosses to a point just to the left of the middle of the room, then stops and calls toward the door at the left.] Jenny dear, SURPRISE! [Ritter listens, with a puzzled expression.] Come here, Jenny,—SURPRISE! [Ritter turns around in the chair, to his right, and looks at her curiously. She meets his eyes with steady bitterness. Then he shifts his gaze to his wife.]
Ritter. Why didn’t you take your make-up off?
Mrs. Ritter. I forgot it,—I was so worried about you.